Athletics: Helsinki City Marathon: A Great Weekend Affair With 'Sisu'

(Editor's Note: After I completed the Helsinki City Marathon in 2002, I contributed this article to CityXpress.com, an online syndicate. The 2004 Helsinki City Marathon will be held Aug. 21 at 3 p.m. local time.)

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By JAMES RAIA

The Helsinki City Marathon, the second-largest marathon in Scandinavia, follows a common theme in the competition between Sweden and Finland.

Like in other areas of business and daily life, Sweden can boast of the Stockholm Marathon, the largest marathon in Scandinavia. Held in June, it's a grand affair that yearly attracts more than 3,000 runners from Finland among its 15,000-runner field.

The Helsinki City Marathon, meanwhile, held its 22nd edition on a warm, slightly breezy afternoon on Saturday afternoon August 17. Its approximate field of 6,000 (the largest in race history) was treated to a wondrously well-organized event through city streets, along scenic views of the Baltic Sea, into cobblestoned parks, along country trails, over several bridges and finally into a panoramic, inspiring finish on the track of the Helsinki Stadium, site of the 1952 Summer Olympics.

In Finland, there is an expression, "sisu." The word doesn't translate well into English, but the gist of the term is something someone tries to achieve because they must.

That's the approach the Helsinki City Marathon likes to present. It's smaller than its Swedish rival, explained race organizer, Jan Vapaavuori, CEO of Track & Field Finland, but has just as much, if not more, to offer for non-elite marathon runners.

Organized for the first time by Vapaavuori and his staff, the race continued its unique tradition of a 3 p.m. start in front of the statue of Paavo Nurmi, located at the entrance to Helsinki Stadium.

The reason for the Saturday afternoon starting time is two-fold: to allow the primarily Finnish field a day of rest before returning to their jobs and because the city's police oppose a Saturday morning starting time due to traffic constraints.

Held in front of enthusiastic crowds who periodically sang, rattled cans of rocks and offered good wishes, the course presented it challenges. It included numerous tight corners, lengthy cobblestone sections, uneven railroad tracks, several short, steep climbs as well as a half-mile ascent within the final mile.

The beginning roads were narrow and the field stayed congested for several miles. For a 3 hour, 30-minute runner (where I positioned myself), it took approximately two minutes to advance past the starting line.

Aid stations were plentiful and included cold water (it's safe to drink), a sports drink (Dexal) and juice at some aid stations. As per tradition, many aid stations also included large trays of cured and salted strips of cucumbers (pickles). Cool sponges and periodic water sprays were also available.

There were also a few rock and jazz bands along the course, a groups of dancers and various citizens shouting from apartment windows.

Like other marathons, the Helsinki City Marathon has the usual fare of complimentary and complementary offerings: T-shirts and medals, a small, well-stocked expo, good post-race refreshments (coffee, Coca-Cola, yogurt, bananas, energy bars), massage therapists, an abundance of volunteers and plenty of bleachers, lounge chairs and grass on the stadium infield for post-race recovery.

Other event offerings include:

--- A free quarterly magazine mailed to all previous year's runners;

--- A free pre-race pasta dinner for all international entrants (about 500 this year);

--- A safe, self-serve, open storage area for runners' post-race bags in the stadium bleachers;

--- Free use of finish-area showers, swimming pool and sauna facilities for all participants.

And, finally, a few random race notes:

Race mileage is presented in kilometers, not miles . . . The event requires runners wear the Champion Chip . . . Timing clocks are located at six locations on the course as well as at the finish . . . Certificates are mailed to all finishers . . . The men's winner earns 3,400 (Euros), the women's winner earns 1,700 (Euros) . . . Prize money extends six places for men and four places for women . . . Parting shot: A handshake, a pat on the back and/or a smile are universal during any marathon.

For information on the 2004 Helsinki City Marathon, contact race organizers: Helsinki City Marathon, Radiokatu 20, SF-00240, Helsinki, Finland. Tel. +358 09 3481 2405; Fax +358 09 3481 236; web site: Helsinki City Marathon.

© Copyright 2004, James Raia

Posted with the permission of James Raia.

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