Event 4 - Tartu Maraton

The Estonian contribution to Ski Classics is the 63km long Tartu Maraton. With roots dating back to 1959 when three skiers Tonu Luik, Herbert Abel and Jüri-Hain Kaljusto, in the then Soviet Union, saw an article about the Swedish Vasaloppet in the March edition of Sovetski Sport magazine. They immediately decided that a similar event should be arranged in the Soviet Union and Estonia. In 1960 the first race took place, the course the first year followed the main road between Tartu and Otepää, although the course today has thankfully been changed.

The race has steadily grown it’s roots in the Estonian folklore and in 1986 the race had almost 13000 competitors from all over the then Soviet Union. The classic ski marathon is today internationally acknowledged and attracts participants from every corner of the world.

The 63km race starts these days in the village of Otepää and passes Matu and Ande before leaving the mountainous area into the forest lands via Kuutse, Peebu, Palu, Hellenurme and Coffe station where Lörfbergs Lila coffee is served to the participants before the finish in the city of Elva.