July 24-25, 2026 Imatra

Adventure race in the astonishing landscapes of the Lake Saimaa Finland.

PARTICIPANT INFO
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Saimaa Winter Trail MTB and trail run at Imatra March 2027

Saimaa Challenge 2026

adventure race

at Imatra 24th and 25th of July

In all classes, competitors challenge themselves by navigating from checkpoint to checkpoint. You will go by running, cycling and paddling. There are also some surprise tasks (quests) along the route.

Classes

Extreme 150 km

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  • Teams of two
  • Raw action and progression without gimmicks
  • Start at friday night and finish starting from saturday at noon
  • The best teams will be rewarded
  • Includes all the best places in the area.
  • Navigation from checkpoint to checkpoint.
  • Disciplines and distances
    • Mountain biking 90 km
    • Trekking / orienteering 35 km
    • Kayaking 27 km
  • Duration for the top teams approx 16 h
  • Course open 24 hours.
  • Full course approx 150 km

Night Challenge 60 km

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  • Departure Friday evening and arrival in the early morning / morning.
  • Enjoying the summer night and the challenges of bitterness
  • Teams of two
  • Own races for men, women and mixed teams
  • The best teams will be rewarded
  • Navigation from checkpoint to checkpoint.
  • Disciplines and distances
    • Mountain biking 40 km
    • running / orienteering 12 km
    • Canoeing 9 km
  • Duration from tip approx. 6 h.
  • Course open 24 hours.
  • Total distance approx. 60 km.

Challenge 70 km

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  • Experiences, sweat and challenges
  • Teams of two
  • Own races for men, women and mixed teams
  • The best teams will be rewarded
  • Navigation from checkpoint to checkpoint.
  • Species and Trips (approx.)
    • Mountain biking 42 km
    • Running / Orienteering 15 km
    • Canoeing 12.5 km
  • Duration for top teams approx. 7 h.
  • Course open 13 h.
  • Full course approx. 70 km

Adventure 50 km

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  • Teams of two
  • Men and women in the same race
  • Pleasure and challenging yourself​​
  • Aimed for fitness enthusiasts, also suitable for beginners
  • Small prizes fro the top teams
  • Draw prizes
  • Species and journeys (approximate):
    • Mountain biking
    • Running / Orienteering
    • Canoeing 7 km
  • Navigation is based on trails, paths and roads
  • E-bikes allowed
  • Duration for the top teams approx. 5 h.
  • Course open 10 h.
  • Full course approx. 50 km

Explore 30 km

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  • Huikeita kokemuksia, uusia elämyksiä ​​
  • A low-threshold class for all those looking for experiences
  • Teams of two
  • Male, female, old and young at the same class
  • Small prizes fro the top teams
  • Draw prizes
  • Species and journeys (approximate):
    • Mountain biking 17 km
    • Running / Trail orienteering 7 km
    • Canoeing 5.5 km
  • Easy navigation, based on larger paths and trails.
  • Electric bikes and digital navigation aids (GPS devices and electronic maps) are permitted.
  • Duration for the top teams approx. 3½ h.
  • Course open 9 h.
  • Full course approx. 30 km

Enjoy 30 km (1-5 people)

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  • No kayaking!
  • Great experiences, new experiences
  • Low-threshold series for adventure seekers
  • Teams of one to five people, participation fee per person
  • Men and women in the same race
  • Draw prizes
  • Species and journeys (approximate):
    • Mountain biking 22 km
    • running / trail orienteering 8 km
  • Road / path based navigation with free route choise.
  • Electric bikes and digital navigation aids (GPS devices and electronic maps) are permitted.
  • Duration for the top teams approx. 3 h.
  • Course open 9 h.
  • Total distance approx. 30 km.

Participation fees

News

What is it about?

"Wet socks, cold, never again - exclamations, but also self-defeat, fun together and nature exercise at its best.

Multisport is an endurance sport consisting of several sports in nature. So you can never know in advance how great places the competition will take you. The sport effectively draws you in!" – Kati "Napapiirin seikkailija" Vehmas

WHERE

The competition center is located at Ukonniemi Stadium and Arena in Imatra. The route is a secret until few hours before the start of the event.

WHEN

July 24th and 25th 2026. Athletes of Extreme and Night Challenge classes start their journey on Friday evening, other calsses starting on Saturday morning. Book the whole Saturday.

TO WHOM

The Explore class is suitable for anyone who can move continuously for at least 4 hours and has some orienteering skills. The best way to start exploring adventures.

This is how the event proceeds

PLAN YOUR ROUTE

Teams will receive maps to plan their route from CP to CP some hours before start.

RUN, BIKE, AND PADDLE

Start with the other teams and move with your team mate as quickly as possible from CP to the next, enjoy the journey and the sceneries.

ENJOY AND SHARE

Blisters will heal, but memories won't fade. Share the top moments to your friends and family.

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Event information and rules

The Saimaa Challenge is a multisport adventure event.

In the event, two-person teams navigate from one checkpoint to another by running, (mountain) biking, and paddling in the order specified in the route book. The maps are distributed to the participants two hours before the mass start, after which the participants plan their own routes. The checkpoints feature the familiar orange-and-white checkered flag used in orienteering. Some checkpoints include tasks (quests) where participants must follow separate instructions. In longer series, these quest tasks test participants’ knowledge and skills in the sport; in shorter series, they provide memorable experiences.

The event’s Explore The series (lasting about 3 to 6 hours) is designed for those new to the sport as an accessible option that can be completed with a regular bike and basic navigation skills.

The Adventure The series (5–10 hours) offers a slightly greater challenge, but can be completed successfully even without prior experience in adventure races. The course has been made even easier for 2024.

The Challenge series (7–12 hours) is still slightly higher in terms of difficulty. In the Challenge series, the planning will be more challenging and the terrain will be more diverse.

The Extreme The series (15 to 22 hours) challenges participants both mentally and physically due to its length and physical demands. In terms of athletic skills, the demands are significantly higher than in other series. There are very few individual challenges.

The event takes time for all participants, and the best from all series are rewarded. In the Explore and Adventure series, winners receive a commemorative prize, but the actual prizes are drawn among the finishers. In the Extreme and Challenge series, prizes are awarded based on results to the top performers.

  • The competition is won by the team that goes around the entire course
  • Participants must follow the instructions in the route book and from the check-in staff.
  • Participants must strictly adhere to traffic regulations and exhibit good manners when moving.
  • During the event, team members must be within 100 m of each other, unless otherwise instructed by checkers. Both team members must go to check-in.
  • 2* mountain bike (in the Explore series, a basic bike is sufficient if necessary) Electric bikes are permitted in the Explore and Adventure series, but teams using them will be noted in the results.
  • 2* cycling helmet
  • Gloves
  • Issue card (option to rent from the organizer for an additional €5, payment upon registration)
  • The phone is waterproof.
  • First aid equipment: First aid kit, space blanket, sports tape (at least 5cm x 1m)
  • Bicycle repair equipment - spare inner tube, tire levers, etc.
  • Sufficient drink and energy – the adventure may take much longer than expected
  • Clothing according to the weather - one more layer if necessary
  • Map holder for the bike, makes navigation easier