23.-24.7.2027

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

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Saimaa Winter Trail MTB and trail running in Imatra on 5-6 March 2027

Tag: adventure sports

Saimaan Palju sponsored youth participation for thepduo

The duo of Kaisa and Suvi has been selected as the recipient for youth participation sponsored by Saimaa Palju. Like Lauri and Leevi from RajaKarhu, these young women are also heading to their first adventure race. In Suvi's words, ”I heard about this adventure from an acquaintance, and it sounded too good to pass up. After mulling over the idea of an adventure for a moment, I decided to pitch the idea to Kaisa. At that point, I actually realized we'd be seen at the starting line in Mikkeli.” The women have adventured [...]

Team RajaKarhulle XAMK-sponsored participation

Lauri and Leevi will receive the first free entry to the Saimaa Challenge for participants under 23 years old. The South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (XAMK) is sponsoring the participation of Team RajaKarhu, formed by these two young men, in the longest Extreme category of the competition. The young men have known each other since childhood and completed their military service together in Onttola. Now they want to find out what the organizers” promise of ”a challenge even for the more experienced" means. Lauri and Leevi have sports backgrounds at a competitive level […]

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 […]

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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