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Paavo Nurmi Marathon
At a glance
- Race day
- The 2027 race
- Start
- 11:0011:00 AM
- Distance
- 42.2 km26.2 mi
- Marathon, from the race name, not from a published programme
- Time limit
- 6 hours
The course
Ruissalo Island is an important part of the half marathon and marathon routes, and the 2026 routes there used a section never run before.
- Ruissalo island and a new 2026 sectionRuissalo is central; in 2026 the route there added a new seaside promenade section.
- A two-day event with the marathon on SaturdayFriday 5 and 10 km, Saturday half and full marathon from 11:00; six hour limit.
Course notes 2 short reads on the course
km 0 to 42.2LandmarkRuissalo island and a new 2026 sectionRuissalo is central; in 2026 the route there added a new seaside promenade section.
The organiser says Ruissalo Island is an important part of the half marathon and marathon routes, and that the 2026 routes there followed one never run before in the event’s history: a new section along the Little Santa Claus Promenade, with the sea on one side and lace villas on the other. The festival page adds the shores of the Aurajoki river, the Paavo Nurmi statue by Wäinö Aaltonen and the streets of the city centre.
Sourced
Whole courseCrowdA two-day event with the marathon on SaturdayFriday 5 and 10 km, Saturday half and full marathon from 11:00; six hour limit.
The organiser’s 2027 programme starts with the MiniMarathon at 5 pm and the 5 km and 10 km at 8 pm on Friday 20 August. The half marathon and marathon go on Saturday 21 August from Turku Market Square, with two starts at 11:00 and 11:10 set by target time, and a maximum running time of 6 hours. The organiser expects about 5,000 runners across the distances.
Sourced
Race weekend
Friday 20 August The day before
-
17:005:00 PM
MiniMarathon start -
20:008:00 PM
5 km and 10 km start
Saturday 21 August Race day
-
Time not published
Maximum running time The maximum running time is 6 hours. 6:00 limit: 8:31/km for 42.195 km6:00 limit: 13:43/mi for 26.2 mi
Other races (2)
-
11:0011:00 AM
Half marathon and marathon, first start Start and finish at Turku Market Square. The starting group is set by target time. -
11:1011:10 AM
Half marathon and marathon, second start
Times as published by the organiser, in Turku 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 Turku time
Entry
Race fuel
Energy gel
5 gels for Turku, plus 1 spare
Finish
One every 40 minutes, by the clock:
Under about 75 minutes most runners need no gel: water at the aid stations does it.
- km 7mile 4.4
- km 14.1mile 8.7
- km 21.1mile 13.1
- km 28.1mile 17.5
- km 35.2mile 21.8
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 Paavo Nurmi Marathon.
