July 24-25, 2026 Imatra

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

PARTICIPANT INFO
REGISTER NOW

Saimaa Winter Trail MTB and trail run at Imatra March 2027

Category: What is adventure sports

What is Adventure Sports – Part 3: Equipment

Preparing for an Adventure Race Compared to many other sports, an adventure race requires a lot of gear, as it is a combination of several sports. The amount of gear also depends heavily on the length of the race, the disciplines included in the race, the mandatory gear specified by the organizer, and personal preferences. Each discipline requires discipline-specific gear, but many of the same items can be used regardless of the discipline. If you want to optimize the amount of gear, you can also manage the race trip with […]

What is adventure sport - part 2

What is adventure racing? A team endurance sport consisting of multiple disciplines. History of the sport, competition structure, and stages. Who are the events suitable for and where to find more information.

What is Adventure Sports - Part 1

What is adventure racing? A team endurance sport consisting of multiple disciplines. History of the sport, competition structure, and stages. Who are the events suitable for and where to find more information.

Choosing a bike for an adventure race

Year after year, one of the topics that most concerns participants in advance is the choice of bicycle for an adventure race. We cannot provide one definitive answer, but here are a few factors that influence it. Route choices In adventure races, teams decide for themselves which route to take from one checkpoint to another. Although the traversability of an individual trail cannot be seen from the map, choices can still be made between paths, tracks, and roads. With route choices, the team itself […]

en_US
fi en_US
Facebook Instagram Youtube

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