News

Estonia’s oldest health running series, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, invites participants once again this spring and summer to run around Estonia’s scenic lakes. Registration is now open for both the full Maru Lake Run series and individual races. Maru is the title sponsor of the series for the sixth consecutive year.

The Lake Run series was first held in 2002, uniting the races around Lake Viljandi, Lake Pühajärv, and Lake Ülemiste into a single series. The first winners of the series were Vjatšelav Košelev and Liilia Kesküla. Over the years, the Lake Runs have attracted both renowned top athletes and amateur enthusiasts, many of whom participate with their families.

Urmo Raiend, Chairman of the Stamina Sports Club, who has organized Estonia’s oldest running series for a quarter of a century, said the uniqueness of the lake runs lies in their appeal to elite runners, hobbyists, and children alike.

The Maru Lake Run series consists of four races: the Paunküla Reservoir and Lake Harku runs in the spring, followed by the Lake Pühajärv and Lake Ülemiste runs in the summer. “Races held throughout the entire season motivate running enthusiasts to practice regularly during the spring and summer, helping them stay in shape,” Raiend explained. Notably, the path directly along the shores of Lake Ülemiste can only be traversed on this one day of the year, as the area is otherwise closed to the public.

The Maru Lake Run series also features shorter distances primarily aimed at young runners. Traditionally, each part of the series opens with children’s races for participants up to 12 years old.

Raiend noted that the number of runners across all distances has grown over the years. Last year, 1,402 runners participated in the Maru Lake Runs, including 179 participants in the youth-focused “mile runs.” A total of 140 runners and walkers completed all four lake runs, with the oldest participant born in 1948 and the youngest in 2010. The overall winners were Leonid Latsepov and Bret Schär.

 

Maru Lake Runs 2026 Schedule

Saturday, April 18 Run around Paunküla Reservoir – 10.5 km / Paunküla Forest Mile – 1.6 km

Saturday, May 30 Arco Vara Run around Lake Harku – 6.5 km / Harku Beach Mile – 1.6 km

Saturday, July 11 Run around Lake Pühajärv – 10.7 km / Pühajärv Park Mile – 1.6 km

Saturday, August 29 Tallinna Vee Run around Lake Ülemiste – 13.7 km / Ülemiste Forest Run – 3 km

In addition, the Pühajärv Park Triathlon will take place on Sunday, July 12.

More information: Urmo Raiend, Chairman of Stamina Sports Club Email: urmo@stamina.ee Phone: +372 501 9572

The Maru Lake Run series also features shorter distances primarily aimed at young runners.