Tartu Bike Marathon This Weekend
Text Stewart Johnson Photo Klubi Tartu Maraton / Adam Illingworth
Bicycle enthusiasts can enjoy watching the Tartu Bike Marathon this weekend, on Saturday, 19 September. There will be four main races of varying distances starting in Otepää, followed Sunday by children’s races in Tartu. With good weather, watching this annual event will give all visitors an excellent chance to explore Southern Estonia at the start of autumn.
At 9:00 on Saturday morning, the 123 km race will begin from Otepää’s Tehvandi Stadium, wind around the countryside roads of Southern Estonia and finish in Elva, at the Tartu County Health Sports Centre, or Tartumaa Tervisespordikeskus. At 10:00 is the start of the 21 km race at the Palu feeding station, also finishing in Elva. All map links will be in the link below to help you find Palu if you want to. The 83 km race begins an hour later, at 11:00, again in Tehvandi Stadium in Otepää, finishing in Elva, and at 14:30, the 39 km race begins and ends in the same locations.
The expected finish times of the various races will begin in Elva at around 10:50 for the 21 km race, at 12:30 for the 123 km race, 13:30 for the 83 km race, and 15:45 for the 39 km race. Awards ceremonies will take place relatively soon after the expected finish times.
On Sunday in Tartu’s beautiful Tähtvere Sports Park, children’s races will last from 11:00 until 11:45. There will be 400 m, 1 km, and 5 km races. At the same time, there will be a “social ride” beginning at Aparaaditehas in downtown Tartu.
The full programme as well as maps can be viewed here.
Southern Estonia is known for its autumn colours and hilly geography, particularly in the area around Otepää. With many lakes and forests, this is the perfect chance to get to know this region of Estonia, and enjoy the electricity in the air from the Tartu Bike Marathon.
To learn more about this and similar topicsbicycling Cycling events in Southern Estonia Family Event Race Sports Tartu Tehvandi Stadium
