{"id":6063,"date":"2025-05-20T10:18:56","date_gmt":"2025-05-20T07:18:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nuts.fi\/?p=6063"},"modified":"2025-05-27T09:02:16","modified_gmt":"2025-05-27T06:02:16","slug":"dont-miss-this-karhunkierros-preview-highlights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nuts.fi\/en\/dont-miss-this-karhunkierros-preview-highlights\/","title":{"rendered":"Don\u2019t Miss This \u2013 Karhunkierros Preview Highlights"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
This is a machine translation generated by ChatGPT. Original text by Marko Krapu in Finnish.<\/pre>\n\n\n
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Recognize this guy? Keep reading for the answer.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
Finland\u2019s biggest trail running event is just around the corner!<\/strong> Once again we\u2019re in for thrilling head-to-head battles, breathtaking views, and unforgettable vibes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whether you’re on-site in Kuusamo or nervously chewing your nails on the couch at home, here\u2019s how to follow the action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Aro vs H\u00f6glund \u2013 A Classic Clash on the 166K<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Anton Aro has been prepping in the Ruka area with his family. Photo: Aro family album<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
The 166 km distance, known as the Karhunkierros Hundred Miler, kicks off this year\u2019s Ultra Trail Tour Finland. Finish all three races in the series and you earn the coveted Finisher vest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This year, fans are in for a long-awaited rematch between 2022 winner Anton Aro<\/strong> and runner-up Casper H\u00f6glund<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two years ago, Aro claimed victory and came within 15 minutes of Juuso Simpanen\u2019s<\/strong> course record (17:29:45). His promising season later came to a halt due to a back injury during the NUTS Yll\u00e4s Pallas<\/a> race.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI\u2019m not haunted by it. That season ended on a high note anyway with Vaarojen and Vantaa after recovery,\u201d says Aro.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cUTTF isn\u2019t currently on my radar. It\u2019s not because of the disappointment in 2023 \u2013 it\u2019s more about wanting to test my limits elsewhere. My main goal this year is the 148 km TDS in August.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n
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Last year Aro won the 55 km race at Karhunkierros. Photo: Simo Vilhunen<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
He\u2019s been training in Kuusamo for a week. The trails are mostly clear, with just a few snowy patches left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI\u2019m excited. I have a clear goal, but I\u2019ll reveal it closer to race day. The main focus is to stay healthy, improve hydration from 2023, and get electrolytes in better balance,\u201d says Aro, whose coaching relationship with Jason Schlarb<\/strong> ended amicably this year.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cCasper\u2019s had a strong season and ended last year well in Slovenia. I hope we\u2019ll push each other to great results \u2013 and maybe have time for a chat during the run,\u201d adds Aro, who had a slight cold during race week.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n
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Casper H\u00f6glund is currently doing his military service in Santahamina. Photo: Casper H\u00f6glund<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
While Aro\u2019s life revolves around his young daughter, H\u00f6glund\u2019s under-eye bags may be thanks to the army. He\u2019s currently an officer cadet at Finland\u2019s Reconnaissance Company, with about 130 days left in service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cArmy life has actually been great. The forest exercises are the best \u2013 the worst part is all the waiting. Sometimes it feels like we\u2019re in a rush just to wait longer.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Asked what the most important lesson has been so far, H\u00f6glund offers a response that works for ultrarunners too:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cChange your socks. Drink water.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Training has been inconsistent due to military life, but the 2023 UTTF champion is still excited for Karhunkierros.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cAnton is a tough opponent. I hope I\u2019m fit enough to challenge him and make the race exciting. My goal is to run steady and gain some confidence ahead of UTMB (170 km) and the trail world champs (82 km) later this summer.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
2. Bengs and Lintala \u2013 Chasing Records<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Eevi Bengs (center) on the Valtavaara trails last year. Photo: Poppis Suomela<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
In the women\u2019s 100-miler, rising ultra star Eevi Bengs<\/strong> is not keeping her ambitions a secret \u2014 she\u2019s going for the course record.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI\u2019m aiming to break the record and excited to see if I can pull it off.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
The tough mark of 21:22:52 was set by Johanna Antila<\/strong> just last year. Bengs finished second then, only 21.5 minutes behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cIn many ways, last year went really well \u2014 but there\u2019s definitely room to improve. I paced myself smartly and had a solid race. Last time I was running on beginner\u2019s luck. This time, I\u2019m hoping to run with more skill while keeping the same joyful vibe,\u201d says Bengs, who\u2019s already been selected for Team Finland in the Trail World Championships.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n
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Tommi Lintala\u2019s plan for the 83 km \u2013 7.42 h is not the same as 7 hours 42 minutes.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
Meanwhile, on the 83 km course, Tommi Lintala<\/strong> is also eyeing a spot in the record books.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He\u2019s coming full circle \u2014 this was the first trail race of his career in 2018, when he finished in just under 11 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI had started running only eight months earlier, with no real endurance background. I\u2019d just finished military service and needed a challenge. That race was pure chaos \u2014 way too fast at the start, horrible fueling. From Basecamp on, I didn\u2019t run a single step due to cramps. That failure actually hooked me. I kept wondering how Tero Ruokolainen<\/strong> managed to run it in 8 hours back then,\u201d Lintala recalls.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Recently on Instagram, Lintala shared a detailed fueling and pacing plan for this year \u2014 and those who solved the math puzzle saw a bold target: a finish time of around 7:25, about 10 minutes under Juuso Simpanen\u2019s course record.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI\u2019ve felt great all spring \u2014 no illness, strong legs. Somehow I even managed to get into sub-32-minute 10K shape, and have added volume on top of that to build resilience.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cI still lack the kind of certainty needed for such a long effort, so I\u2019ll play it safe at least until Basecamp. The night start could bring challenges. That record is solid \u2014 but the sport has evolved a few years since then.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Earlier this winter, Lintala struggled with motivation and even considered quitting. But spring sunshine brought a spark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cThat\u2019s probably still why I run. That crazy idea \u2014 you\u2019ve run nearly 100 km already, and your legs still want to keep going through a national park.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
3. Trail Tour Finland \u2013 Second Stop in the Series<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Karhunkierros 55 km is once again part of the national Trail Tour Finland series.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The tour kicked off at Bodom Trail<\/a>, where Sofia Haajanen<\/strong> and Juho Ylinen<\/strong> took the wins. Neither will be racing in Kuusamo this time.<\/p>\n\n\n
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Bodom Trail runner-up Kristiane Width is a favorite for the 55K at Karhunkierros. Photo: Miska Koivum\u00e4ki<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
In the women\u2019s race, attention turns to former track athlete Kristiane Width<\/strong>, who\u2019s brought fresh energy to the sport. Her long, fluid stride and packed schedule have made her a standout recently. Just look at her last three weeks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n