The Helsinki City Marathon is the second largest marathon event in Scandinavia. Over 6,000 runners from 46 nationalities participated in Helsinki in 2009. 

 

The climate is pleasant: average temperature being between +18-22 °C (64-72 °F) with a fresh touch of sea breeze. Twenty refreshment points guarantee that runners are well taken care of. Every participant will be given a medal, T-shirt and diploma.

 

The race office is located at Töölö's Sports  Hall (Töölön Kisahalli - near the Olympic stadium). It will be clearly marked by signs. 

 

The office will be open on:  

Friday, August 13th from 12 pm to 8 pm 

Saturday, August 14th from 8 am to 1 pm

 

All participants can pick up their race numbers at the race office either on Friday or Saturday during the race office hours. The number has to be picked up on Saturday 14th by 1 pm the latest. There will be a special desk for the foreign runners to pick up their running numbers. After You have picked up the number You can get the Helsinki City Marathon T-shirt from another desk.

 

There will be the Champion Chip-system for result taking. Your datachip, which has been fastened to your running shoe gives results. You have to use exactly that chip you are given and it only works for Helsinki City Marathon 2010. You may not use your own chip if you have one. You have to return your chip after the race, or else you will be charged 45 EUR. If you have to retire before finishing the race you have to return your datachip to the HCM personnel.

 

The Helsinki City Marathon races will take place on August 14th. The Marathon race will start at 3 pm outside the Töölö's Sports  Hall and the Olympic Stadium. You should be there at 2.45 pm the latest. The  MiniMarathon for children starts on Saturday at 10 am. Read more about the  MiniMarathon for children from www.helsinkicitymarathon.com/disney

 

The marathon race finishes near the Olympic Stadium. After passing the finish line, proceed to the end of the area. Once at the end of the area you will receive your medal and the officials will remove your chip from your running shoe.

After leaving the finish area you can either enter the refreshment service area or you can go and collect your personal belongings. In the service area you will find water, sports drink Gatorade, coffee, yoghurt, banana and some sweets. Medical services are also available.

 

You can leave your personal belongings in the Kisahalli. (It will be well marked). Only those with a competition number are allowed to enter the storage area. The storage area will be open between 12 pm and 9.30 pm on the race day. 

 

NOTE: The organizers are not responsible for any valuables or money left in the storage area! There will be storage for valuables for a fee of 5 EUR.

 

All participants can use the washing/ swimming/ sauna facilities at the Swimming Stadium. It will be open for the runners between 4 pm and 9 pm. Admission is only for the runners with competition numbers. The Swimming Stadium is located close to the Olympic Stadium.

Medical services can be contacted at each refreshment station. It will also be available at the finish area.

 

The personal insurance taken by Finnish Athletics Federation for the participants does not cover runners who do not belong to the Finnish social securitys system (Kela). Please, check your own personal insurance cover.

 

The race number should be pinned to the front of your shirt so that the numbers are clearly visible. You will get the safety pins with your race number. You can keep your number after the race.

 

If You are unsure about your pace, You can follow our experienced pace makers that aim for the following ending times: 

4:00, 4:30, 5:00 and 5:30. 

 

The locations of the refreshment stations are marked on the route map. The stations offer water and Gatorade-sports drink. At some stations you will also be served bananas and salted cucumbers.

 

There is also a larger refreshment station after the finish line. 

 

If you have personal refreshments please bring them to the information desk at the race office by 1 pm on race day. You can place your drink in a bin to be brought to a refreshment station. Make sure you recognize your drink and that it is marked with the kilometres of the refreshment station and your name. Personal Refreshments can be brought to any of the refreshment stations except of the first one. Glass bottles are not allowed! 

 

Each kilometre on the route is marked. There will be an orange sign for each kilometre and the number will also be painted on the street. A bigger sign will be placed every 5 kilometres. 

 

A timing car will travel in front of the leading runner. There are clocks at 5 km, 10 km, 15 km, 21.1 km, 30 km and 35 km. You can see your finishing time from the big clock above the finish line.

 

The maximum race time is 6 hrs. As the marathon starts at 3 PM, the runner should finish by 9:10 PM to get an acceptable result. 

 

Each runner finishing within 6 hours receives a Helsinki City Marathon medal.

The following is a list of prizes for the best finishing times:

 

Men: 

1st 3,500 EUR 

2nd 2,000 EUR 

3rd 1,000 EUR 

 

Women:

1st 3,500 EUR

2nd 2,000 EUR

3rd 1,000 EUR

 

In addition, the best male and female runner will get the possession of the trophy. Also, best runners in the age classes may be rewarded with item prizes. (Subject to change) 

 

If you have to retire before finishing the race give your datachip from your shoe to the officials at the nearest refreshment station. If you do not return your datachip we will charge a 45 EUR fee. You can get to the race office in the control car driving behind the last runner.

 

Your Helsinki City Marathon diploma will be sent to you by post after the race.

You can find the results immediately after the race from our website: www.helsinkicitymarathon.com

 

The spectators can watch the race along the route (Note: At some spots there are traffic limitations, which will slow down or even hinder traffic!)  

 

You can find the instructions from the registration page. The age limit for the marathon is 18 years (birth year: 1992).

 

The Helsinki City Marathon rules and regulations can be read from here.