No other sporting event has shaped Estonian culture like the Tartu Marathon. The first-ever ski marathon was held in 1960 and sparked a sporting fever that has, more than half a century later, taken over the whole nation. Hundreds of long-distance sporting events occur annually in Estonia, while the Tartu Marathon can be considered the grandfather of them all. In addition to skiing, the marathon has inspired running events, cycling events, and even roller-skating marathons.
On February 17th and 18th, 2024, thousands of skiing enthusiasts will once again gather in South Estonia to get their heart rates up and their faces smiling at the 50th Tartu Marathon.
Time has seen the Tartu Marathon grow from a ski trip for a couple of dozen enthusiasts into one of the best-known ski marathons in the world. Throughout the decades, the marathon has become one of Estonia's hallmark events, earning it the nickname of Estonia's Winter Song Festival. In February 2024, thousands of participants will enjoy the unforgettable experience of skiing over the rolling hills of South Estonia.
The Tartu Marathon is the most important Nordic-style ski competition in the Baltics. From skiers in chicken costumes to ski tourists from the Southern Hemisphere to the world's top skiers and local Estonian legends, the array of participants is as colorful as the stripes on a Kihnu woman's skirt.
Of course, the weekend skiing enthusiast is also well-represented. Those who strap on their skis once or twice a week draw new energy from the winter weather and feel the primal pleasure of skiing alongside the crowd at the Tartu Marathon.
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Thousands of skiers line up for the start of the 2023 Tartu Marathon.
Photo by: Adam Illingworth, Tartu Marathon -
Skiers climb a hill — happily! — during the 2023 Marathon.
Photo by: Aldis Toome, Tartu Marathon -
The Vintage Classic will take place this year! Equipment must be made before the year 2000.
Photo by: Kiur Kaasik, Tartu Marathon
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Skiing fun for everyone
The Tartu Marathon program is versatile and offers something for everyone — children and adults, serious athletes, and Sunday skiers. The day before the marathon, there will be children's races, where kids of all ages can participate, and a relay race for teams of three, so friends, families, or co-workers often put together a team. New in 2024, there is even a freestyle race. Every five years, which includes 2024, a vintage race is run, where skiers can excuse a poor time by saying they used equipment from the previous millennium!
Sunday is the main event on the world's widest ski track. The traditional 63 km marathon goes from Otepää to Elva; the shorter 31 km distance starts in Arula and finishes in Elva.
Even if you can't make it to Estonia, you can participate remotely on your home track between January 16 and March 16, in true e-Estonia style.
A new chapter in Tartu Marathon history will be written on February 17th and 18th, 2024, when the 50th Tartu Marathon will take place. Write your name in bold letters in the history of skiing by participating in the legendary Tartu Marathon.
