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

Registration and terms

Insurance coverage and participation right

  • Each participant participates at his own risk. Competitors are responsible for their own insurance coverage. The organizer has liability insurance that compensates for personal and property damage caused by the organizers' mistakes.
  • Finnish adventure race union has negotiated an insurance for racers. Read more about it (in Finnish).
  • Children under the age of 18 need a guardian's written permission to participate. We generally recommend the Explore and Adventure series for participants under 18 years of age.

Registration and cancellation

  • Registration takes place using the attached form.
  • Participation can be canceled by 30 June 2025, when 50% of the participation fee will be returned.
  • No participation fee returns for cancellations after that.
  • A team can transfer the right to participate to another team by the day before the competition without any fee. Any changes has to be reported to info@saimaachallenge.fi
  • The right to participate cannot be transferred to the next year, and cancellation does not result in a discount on the next year's participation fee.
  • If the organizer has to cancel the event due to the restrictions of the authorities or another 'force majeure' reason, the organizer will deduct a processing fee of €30 from the participation fee. The rest will be returned to those who have already paid the participation fee.

Content of the participation fee

  • All classes
    • compaetition material and arrangements
    • maps (two sets of most maps for each team)
    • GPS tracking
    • meal after the race
    • showers and dressing rooms
    • kayaks, padels and life vests (using your own padels and vests is alloweed)
    • SportIdent electronical punching
  • Additionally at Extreme
    • gear transportation to the transfer area

Team limitation

  • Maximum team numbers per division vary by division.
    • Extreme 60 teams
    • Night Challenge 60 teams
    • Challenge 60 teams
    • Adventure 80 teams
    • Explore 80 teams
    • Enjoy, no limit
Registration has ended

Participation fees

  • Early Bird prices are valid until January 1, 2026
  • 1. exhibition runs from 2.1. – 29.3.2026
  • 2. hintaporras March 30 - June 28, 2026
  • After this, late registration will remain open until the Sunday of the competition week.
  • The participation fee is paid by bank transfer using the payment information available at confirmation email of the registration.
Registration has ended
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