Estonia’s biggest virtual sports event of all time, the Tallinn Marathon’s virtual run, attracted 11,725 participants

All of Estonia’s counties were represented in the Tallinn Marathon’s virtual run that took place from 1 to 30 September. Outside Estonia, more than fifteen hundred entrants from 53 countries registered.

835 running aficionados registered for the full-length marathon, 1053 for the half marathon, 2127 for the ten kilometre, and 854 for the five kilometre distance. 4235 little runners took part in the children’s virtual run.

 

What proved a huge success was the combined marathon or the “marathon combo” with 2621 registered exercise enthusiasts. The full-length marathon distance (42.195 km) had to be covered during September either by running or walking in parts until reaching the required number of kilometres. At least a tenth of the marathon, that is, 4.2 kilometres had to be covered at a single time. The fastest to complete the “marathon combo” were our best long-distance runners Tiidrek Nurme (2:15.45) and Roman Fosti (2:22.19). Among women, Jekaterina Patjuk was the quickest at 2:38.06. Liina Luik (2:41.31) and Leila Luik (2:53.27) also put in a great performance.

 

In addition to the best runners in Estonia and thousands of enthusiasts, participants in Estonia’s biggest virtual run also included Olympic gold medallist Gerd Kanter, President of the Estonian Olympic Committee Urmas Sõõrumaa, Deputy Mayor of Tallinn Vadim Belobrovtsev, Tallinn Marathon’s major sponsors RIMI Estonia’s CEO Vaido Padumäe and Head of Sportland Anti Kalle, Radio Sky Plus hosts Kristjan Hirmo, Andi Raig, Vaido Pannel, and Brigitte Susanne Hunt, Manager of Estonian Health Trails Foundation Alo Lõoke, journalists Aivar Reinap and Erik Gamzejev, Member of Parliament and Olympic medallist Jüri Jaanson, personal trainer Polina Mattisen with her singer husband Mihkel Mattisen, exercise enthusiast Sandra Raju, marathoner Rein Pärn who has completed more marathons than any other Estonian, and a number of other well-known people who were great role models and a real motivation for many.

 

The group with the biggest number of members in the Tallinn Marathon’s virtual run was the North Estonia Medical Centre with 211 participants. More than a half of the entrants were women, and the average age of the participants was 38 years. Besides Estonia, the countries represented the most were Finland with 381, Germany with 213, Latvia with 147, England with 105, Russia with 94, Sweden with 56, and the United States with 47 virtual runners. There were also entrants from Portugal, Mexico, Australia, Brazil, India, Japan, Morocco, Malaysia, Ecuador, and many other exotic countries. In total, all the participants covered nearly 200,000 kilometres, that is, five times the distance around the world.

 

The Tallinn Marathon’s virtual run will go down in history as Estonia’s biggest virtual sports event with 11,725 registered entrants for all the scheduled distances in total.

 

The organisers donated a sum equal to the number of entrants, that is, 11,725 euros, as a charitable contribution to the Estonian Running Support Foundation.

 

Established on the centenary of the day when the legendary marathon runner Jüri Lossmann won a silver medal at Antwerp Olympics, the charitable foundation aims to ensure the sustainability of Estonian running by supporting young talents, motivating aspiring runners and coaches, and keeping up traditional running events.

 

Following the example of the participants in the Tallinn Marathon’s virtual run, all individuals and companies can make donations to the Estonian Running Support Foundation. 

 

To make a donation, simply call from the Telia, Elisa, or Tele 2 network at the donation hotline of the Estonian Running Support Foundation:

9008010 to donate 10 euros
9008025 to donate 25 euros
9008050 to donate 50 euros

 

You can also make a donation by bank transfer to the bank account of MTÜ Spordiürituste Korraldamise Klubi (Sport Event Team):

EE611010220039029013 (SEB) or EE962200221016630913 (Swedbank).

Keyword: Eesti Jooksmise Toetusfond (Estonian Running Support Foundation)