Entry through the organiser
Entry details on the organiser’s site →
The organiser, a third party. We take no entries and have no part in the race.
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NUTS Karhunkierros
At a glance
- Race day
- The 2027 race
- Start
- 08:008:00 AM
- Distance
- 13.0 km8.1 mi
- 13 km · 166 km · 34 km · 5K · 83 km
The course
The 166 km runs from Ruka to Napapiiri and back along the Karhunkierros trails, with a 36 hour limit and cut-offs at 16, 22 and 33 hours.
- Ruka to Napapiiri and backOut to Napapiiri and back, 36 hours, three cut-offs on the way.
- Five distances, five start placesFive distances, five starts, every one finishing in Ruka.
Course notes 2 short reads on the course
Whole courseGeometryRuka to Napapiiri and backOut to Napapiiri and back, 36 hours, three cut-offs on the way.
The start and finish are both in Ruka pedestrian village. Drop bags can be sent to Oulanka and Hautajärvi. Cut-offs run from the moment a runner actually sets off: leave the Napapiiri aid station within 16 hours, leave Oulanka on the return leg within 22 hours, leave Konttainen within 33 hours and reach the finish within 36 hours. The first 166 km start is at 8:00 on Friday 28 May 2027.
Sourced
Whole courseTacticsFive distances, five start placesFive distances, five starts, every one finishing in Ruka.
A bus from Ruka to the 34, 55 and 83 km starts costs an extra €21 until the end of 18 May 2027 and €34 from 19 May, and takes about 30 to 45 minutes. Runners choose a broad start window when they register and staff release them onto the route according to conditions at the start area, so timing begins when a runner actually sets off. The 83 km starts at Napapiiri in Hautajärvi and follows the Oulanka river valley and forest trails to Ruka. The minimum age is 18 on the 166, 83 and 55 km, 15 on the 34 km and 12 on the 13 km.
Sourced
Race weekend
Bib pickup at Event centre, Ruka pedestrian villageThursday 27 May Bib pickup
-
17:005:00 PM–21:009:00 PM
Bib pickup, all distances Event centre, Ruka pedestrian village
Friday 28 May Last bib day
-
07:007:00 AM–07:457:45 AM
Bib pickup, 166 km Event centre, Ruka pedestrian village -
12:0012:00 PM–21:009:00 PM
Bib pickup, all distances Event centre, Ruka pedestrian village
Cut-offs and other races (4)
-
08:008:00 AM
166 km start Ruka. Staff release participants onto the route according to conditions at the start area, so starts run from this time. -
18:006:00 PM
55 km starts Oulanka Visitor Centre. Starts run from this time. -
22:0010:00 PM
83 km starts Napapiiri, Hautajärvi. Starts run from this time. -
Time not published
166 km finish time limit Measured from the runner's own start on the route. Leave Napapiiri within 16 hours, Oulanka on the return within 22 hours and Konttainen within 33 hours.
Bib in hand?A number belt holds it without pins through your race top. Clip it on tonight.
Number belt on AmazonAmazon partner link
Saturday 29 May Race day
-
08:008:00 AM–15:453:45 PM
Bib pickup, 34 km and 13 km Event centre, Ruka pedestrian village -
19:007:00 PM
Prize giving Ruka
Other races (2)
-
10:0010:00 AM
34 km starts Juuma. Starts run from this time. -
16:004:00 PM
13 km starts Ruka. Starts run from this time.
Times as published by the organiser, in Kuusamo time, checked . Confirm on their site before you travel.
The forecast for Saturday
Race morning, on the record
We hold no start time for this race, so the record is read at 09:009:00 AM, local time.
Add to calendar .ics file, times in Kuusamo time
Entry
Race fuel
Energy gel
No gel needed at this pace
Finish
One every 40 minutes, by the clock:
Under about 75 minutes most runners need no gel: water at the aid stations does it.
For your long training runs:
Our pick: SiS BETA Fuel gel, box of 6, strawberry and lime. 40 g of carbohydrate a gel, about twice a usual gel, from two kinds of sugar your body takes up side by side. Enough for race day and two test long runs.
Easy to forget on race morning: pack them with your bib the night before.
Get it on Amazon
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In Canada the button opens GU Energy Gel, Salted Caramel, 24-pack, the best seller there.
Outside the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the UK and Ireland, Spain and Portugal, Italy, the rest of the EU and Canada the button opens GU Energy Gel, Chocolate Outrage, 24-pack on Amazon.com, the best seller there.
Anti-chafe
Compeed anti-blister stick, 8 ml
An invisible layer before the start keeps seams, straps and shoes from rubbing skin raw.
Put it on before you leave for the start: heels and toes, inner thighs, under a bra or heart-rate strap.
Try it on a long run first, like everything you use on race day.
Get it on Amazon
We earn a small fee if you buy through these links. The price is the same.
Number belt
Compressport Race Belt
Holds your bib without safety pins through your top, with loops for up to 8 gels.
Clip the bib on the night before, so it goes on with your shorts in the morning.
Keep the number on the front, where officials and photographers can see it.
Get it on Amazon
We earn a small fee if you buy through these links. The price is the same.
Electrolytes
SiS Hydro electrolyte tablets, tube of 20
One tablet in a bottle puts back some of the salt you sweat out.
One tablet in 500 ml of water in the hour before the start.
Only if you have used them in training: nothing new on race day.
Get it on Amazon
We earn a small fee if you buy through these links. The price is the same.
Blister plasters
Compeed blister plasters, medium, 6
One in a pocket cushions a blister if one starts.
Put it on clean, dry skin and leave it until it comes off by itself.
Give a couple to whoever comes to cheer, so they are there at the km you need them.
Get it on Amazon
We earn a small fee if you buy through these links. The price is the same.
Keep exploring
More races to look at after the NUTS Karhunkierros.
