Location: Savitaipale, Eastern Finland
Website : https://saimaachallenge.fi/en/
The 4th Saimaa Challenge adventure race will be held on July 12th and 13th, 2024 at Savitaipale, Finland. Wonderful shore scenery of Lake Kuolimo. The race takes place around Savitaipale's diverse hiking and nature destinations, in ridge landscapes shaped by the ice age. The surroundings of Savitaipale offer participants a truly wonderful path network and shore ridges. There are beautiful beaches right next to the center of the municipality that can be enjoyed from a kayak.
Out of the four class options, the longest Extreme (ab. 140 km / 14 hours for leading team) starts the adventure already on Friday evening into the almost nightless Finnish summer night. The other three series start in stages on Saturday. The first is the Challenge (80 km / 8 h), followed later by the more relaxed ones, Adventure (50 km / 5 h) and Explore (30 km / 3 h). There is plenty of maximum running time for the series, so you can complete the entire route in each class at a pace that suits you.
At our web site you can find a more detailed description of the classes. All classes are competed in teams of two. The route is divided into several sections. Navigation skills are useful, but especially in shorter series, the routes rely heavily on the roads, so basic map reading skills are sufficient to complete the route. In addition, there are various quest checkpoints along the route, which are only revealed to the competitors when they reach the checkpoint. To participate, each competitor needs his own bike and bicycle helmet, renting these from our partner is possible. Paddling equipment is included in the participation fee.
Olkkola's Hovi is the competition center this year. Food is included in the participation fee and a sauna with swimming possibilities await the competitors at the finish line. The award ceremony is in the evening in the yard of Olkkola Hovi in a party tent, where the competitors will also be entertained by a band.
Choose your own class and have an adventure with your friend!