Image: Pekka Tynell / Yle

Running races that add fun elements or extra challenges have become very popular in the last few years in Finland, rising up alongside more traditional marathons to attract thousands of participants. Saturday May 5 saw several of such races held in the capital city area.



Masses of multi-coloured painted runners tramped through the Kaísaniemi park area of downtown Helsinki on Saturday as part of The Color Obstacle Rush, an event first arranged in Finland in 2014.

Image: Pekka Tynell / Yle

"This way, I get to have fun and exercise at the same time," said participant Anni Lehmuskoski from Nurmijärvi.

Organiser Markus Niemelä says bad weather has never been a reason to cancel the colour run, but this Saturday's sunny weather made the event even more fun than usual.

"We are always happy to have some sun, although we've been known to run in the sleet, too. This weekend marks the start of our tour; we are going to arrange our event twice every weekend this summer in different parts of Finland," Niemelä said.

Image: Pekka Tynell / Yle

Running over a giant pile of snow

At the same time in neighbouring Vantaa, Extremerun was taking place on the trails of Hakunila, drawing thousands of runners for the eighth year in a row. Runners dressed as firefighters, superwomen and clowns could all be seen jogging among the crowd.

"It's the relaxed atmosphere that leads me to participate every year. No one takes the competition too seriously and we all kind of run through the route together as a group," said participant Sonja Luhtanen from Helsinki.

Image: Pekka Tynell / Yle

The Extremerun route is famous for its wacky obstacles, like junker cars or freezing cold showers the runners have to go through. The idea is simply to get everyone moving.

"This year there was a pile of snow as big as three houses in the middle of the trail. Everyone got to climb up and slide back down in their own personal way," said Mika Hirvinen, Extremerun's organiser.

Image: Pekka Tynell / Yle

Hirvinen says running races that are more light-hearted tend to attract more people that would normally not participate in traditional running events. He says women in particular have been very positive about their Extremerun experience.

Image: Pekka Tynell / Yle

Solving puzzles and getting fit

A new race called City Survivors also took place in Helsinki's Ullanlinna district on Saturday. This running race requires that the participants also solve puzzles and complete games located in several different parts of the city as part of the race.

"We ended up being a good couple for this race: one of us was clever and the other was smart. It was a good time, but now I'm beat," said Mikko Orava, who crossed the finish line in fifth place with his partner.

Image: Pekka Tynell / Yle

The organisers of this new race got their idea from the US television series Amazing Race, which requires the participants to complete a series of tasks and riddles throughout the city. Successfully navigating the race requires good reasoning skills, general knowledge and physical fitness.

"I've taken part in many different kinds of running competitions and I was always left kind of wanting something more. So I got the idea of developing this kind of running event based on the show," Tuukka Pursiainen, founder of the event, explained.

Pursiainen says most people are always on the lookout for fun, new ways to move, so there is a clear demand for fitness-associated group events. Add a bit of much-needed sunshine and like-minded friends, and fun is a guarantee.