In The Setting of Baltic Sea and Open Parks 

 

Helsinki City Marathon is the second largest marathon event in Scandinavia. Over 6,400 runners from 46 nationalities participated in Helsinki in 2008. With additional running events there were as many as 7,100 runners.

 

The race office is located at the Olympic Stadium. It will be clearly marked by signs. The office will be open on:  

Friday, August 14th from 12 am to 8 pm 

Saturday, August 15th from 8 am to 1 pm

 

   All participants can pick up their race numbers at the race office either on Friday or Saturday during race office hours. The number has to be picked up on Saturday 16th by 1 pm the latest. There will be a special desk for foreign runners. After You have picked up the number You can get the Helsinki City Marathon t-shirt from another desk at the end of the expo area.

 

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 2009. You may not use your own chip if you have one. You have to return your chip after the race otherwise you will be charged 45 €.  If you have to retire before finishing the race you have to return your datachip to the officials.

 

The Helsinki City Marathon races will take place on August 15th. The Marathon race will start at 3 pm outside the Olympic Stadium. You should be there at 2.45 pm the latest. The Disney MiniMarathon for children starts on Saturday at 10 am.

 

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 Olympic Stadium C-section. (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 am and 9.30 pm on 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 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 race number should be pinned to the front of your shirt so that the numbers are clearly visible. You get the safety pins with your race number.  You can keep your number after the race.

 

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

 

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.

 

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. Every 5 km will be marked with a bigger sign.

 

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.

 

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 3500 EUR

2nd 2000 EUR

3rd 1000 EUR

 

In addition, the best male and female runner will get possession of the trophy. 

 

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 € 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 in October.

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!) Spectators are also welcome to the Olympic Stadiums A-section to greet the finishing runners!

 

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

 

 

Helsinki City Marathon Organization