Vierumäki Swimrun Sprint 2027 – Race Instructions

Vierumäki Swimrun will take place on Saturday, 31 July 2027, in the Vierumäki Sports Institute area. Pihkalantie 3, 19120 Vierumäki

The event has two categories:

• PAIRS – a two-person team race

• SINGLE – an individual category for experienced open-water swimmers

Both categories follow the same approximately 5.9 km course.

The course consists of approximately 4.6 km of running and 1.3 km of swimming.

The event centre, race office, start and finish are located at the Vierumäki Sports Institute athletics field.

At registration, each competitor must provide the name and phone number of an ICE (In Case of Emergency) contact person who can be contacted in the event of an emergency.

Event Schedule

09:00 Event centre, changing rooms and showers open
09:00–10:30 Registration at the event centre
10:30 Mandatory race briefing
11:00 Pairs start
11:30 Single start
13:00–14:30 Competitor lunch at a nearby restaurant
14:00 Finish closes
14:30 Prize ceremony at the event centre
15:00 Event ends and event centre closes

Attendance at the mandatory race briefing at 10:30 is required for all competitors.

Registration

All pre-registered competitors must register at the race office at the event centre between 09:00 and 10:30.

At registration, competitors will receive the official swim cap and race bib.

Electronic timing will be used.

In the Pairs category, each team will have one timing tag. In the Single category, each competitor will have their own timing tag.

The race bib must be worn as the outermost layer and remain visible throughout the race.

The official swim cap provided by the organiser must be worn during all swimming sections.

The timing tag must be returned to the organiser after the race.

Late Registration

There will be no race-day registration.

Competitors must register in advance by the final registration deadline.

Categories

PAIRS

A team consists of two competitors.

The pair must complete the entire course together. They start, run, swim and finish together.

Previous swimrun race experience is not required, but both competitors must have sufficient swimming ability and previous experience of open-water swimming.

The approximately 5.9 km sprint distance is also suitable as a first swimrun race.

SINGLE

The Single category is intended for experienced open-water swimmers and swimrun competitors.

Single competitors complete the same course as the Pairs category.

Competitors must have strong open-water swimming skills and sufficient experience of swimming in natural waters.

The minimum age for the Single category is 18.

Course

The total course distance is approximately 5,865 metres.

The course includes approximately 4,580 metres of running and 1,285 metres of swimming.

The sections are:

• Run 1 – 750 m

• Swim 1 – 270 m

• Run 2 – 500 m

• Swim 2 – 195 m

• Run 3 – 500 m

• Swim 3 – 300 m

• Run 4 – 850 m

• Swim 4 – 180 m

• Run 5 – 680 m

• Swim 5 – 340 m

• Run 6 – 1,300 m

The course passes through four lakes.

Course Markings

The entire race course will be clearly marked and no navigation skills are required.

Running sections will be marked with ribbons and signs.

The start and exit points of the swimming sections will be clearly marked.

The swimming direction may also be indicated with buoys or other markers where necessary.

Competitors are responsible for following the course markings and instructions given by race officials.

Staying Together as a Pair

In the Pairs category, both team members must stay together throughout the race.

During swimming sections, the maximum distance between team members is 5 metres.

During running sections, the pair must remain close enough to maintain visual and verbal contact.

The pair must finish together.

The team’s finishing time is recorded when the second team member crosses the finish line.

If one team member withdraws, the entire team’s race is considered discontinued.

Swimming Ability

Participation requires sufficient swimming ability and previous experience of open-water swimming.

Competitors must be able to swim safely in natural waters and complete several swimming sections during the same race.

Individual swimming sections range from 180 to 340 metres.

Competitors taking part in swimrun for the first time are recommended to enter the Pairs category.

Age Limit and Junior Competitors

The minimum age for the Single category is 18.

In the Pairs category, at least one member of the team must be 18 years of age or older.

A competitor under the age of 18 may participate in the Pairs category together with an adult partner with written permission from their guardian.

The guardian is responsible for assessing whether the junior competitor’s swimming ability, open-water experience, health and physical fitness are sufficient for the race.

Written guardian consent must be submitted to the organiser before the race.

Mandatory Equipment

Each competitor must carry:

• a whistle

• a first-aid dressing packed in a waterproof manner

• the official swim cap provided by the organiser

• the official race bib provided by the organiser

• running shoes

The whistle must be kept in a location where it can be accessed quickly, including during swimming sections.

The organiser may check mandatory equipment before the start, during the race or at the finish.

Missing mandatory equipment may result in the competitor not being allowed to start or in disqualification.

Swimming Equipment

Competitors may use:

• a wetsuit

• a pull buoy

• a swim buoy

• hand paddles

• swimming goggles

Wetsuit use is optional.

Pairs may use a swimrun tow line between team members.

A tow line is recommended only for teams that have practised using it before the race.

All equipment taken from the start must be carried throughout the entire race and brought to the finish.

Equipment must not be left along the course.

Swimming Sections and Water Entry

Competitors must enter the water only at points indicated by the organiser.

Jumping into the water is strictly prohibited.

The lake shores and lake bottoms are natural, so competitors must enter and exit the water in a controlled manner.

The beginning and end of each swimming section will be clearly marked.

Race officials will guide competitors where necessary.

Competitors must follow all markings and instructions given by officials and safety personnel.

Water Safety

Swimming sections will be supervised in accordance with the event safety plan.

Safety personnel will be present on the water using suitable equipment such as SUP boards, kayaks or boats.

Safety personnel have the right to stop a competitor’s swim or race if the competitor is considered to be in danger or unable to continue safely.

Competitors must always follow instructions given by water safety personnel.

Aid Station

There is one official aid station on the course at the Saarijärvi beach after the fourth swimming section.

The aid station will provide at least water, sports drink and energy.

More detailed information about refreshments will be published closer to the event.

The aid station will also have first-aid equipment and race officials present.

Personal Drinks and Nutrition

Competitors may carry their own drinks and nutrition.

External assistance is not permitted anywhere along the course or at the official aid station.

Competitors must complete the course using their own equipment and the aid provided by the organiser.

First Aid and Duty to Assist

The main first-aid point is located at the event centre at the athletics field.

First-aid equipment is also available at the Saarijärvi aid station.

Race officials along the course will also carry basic first-aid equipment.

Every competitor has a duty to assist a person in need.

Any accident, injury or other safety-related incident must be reported immediately to the event safety manager:

Henry Raita
tel. +358 50 9172 185

In a serious or urgent emergency, call the emergency number 112.

A competitor must, if necessary, interrupt their own race in order to assist a person in need.

Withdrawal

If a competitor withdraws from the race, the organiser must be informed.

Withdrawal must be reported to the safety manager, the nearest race official, the aid station or the event centre.

A competitor who has withdrawn must not leave the event area without informing the organiser.

In the Pairs category, if one team member withdraws, the entire team’s race ends.

This is a mandatory safety rule.

If a competitor remains recorded as being on the course and no withdrawal has been reported, the organiser may be forced to begin an unnecessary search operation.

Organiser’s Right to Stop a Competitor

The organiser has the right to stop a competitor or team if the competitor is considered too exhausted, cold, injured or otherwise unable to continue safely.

Safety always takes priority over race performance.

Littering

Littering anywhere along the course is strictly prohibited.

Gel wrappers, food packaging and other waste must be carried to the aid station or finish.

The Vierumäki environment must be left at least as clean as it was before the event.

Finish and Timing

The start and finish for both categories are located at the event centre at the Vierumäki Sports Institute athletics field.

Electronic timing will be used.

In the Pairs category, each team has one timing tag.

The team’s time is recorded when the second team member crosses the finish line.

Both team members must finish together.

In the Single category, the finishing time is recorded when the competitor crosses the finish line.

The timing tag must be returned at the finish.

The finish closes at 14:00.

All competitors must finish before this time.

Prizes

The three fastest teams in the Pairs category will receive prizes.

The three fastest competitors in the Single category will receive prizes.

The prize ceremony will take place at 14:30 at the event centre.

Product prizes may also be raffled among all participants.

Every competitor who successfully finishes the race will receive an official event finisher item.

Changing Rooms, Toilets and Showers

Competitors may use the toilets, changing rooms and showers at the Vierumäki Sports Hall.

The facilities open at 09:00.

More detailed directions from the event centre to the Sports Hall will be provided before the event and, where necessary, during the race briefing.

Competitor Lunch

Competitor lunch is included in the entry fee.

Lunch will be served between 13:00 and 14:30 at a restaurant located close to the event centre.

More detailed dining instructions will be provided before the event.

Parking

Parking is free for competitors.

Competitors must follow the parking instructions and traffic guidance in the Vierumäki area.

Cancellation and Participant Changes

Registration is binding.

The entry fee will not be refunded if a competitor is unable to participate for personal reasons.

An entry may, however, be transferred free of charge to another person until the final registration deadline.

In the Pairs category, one team member may also be replaced until the same deadline.

If participation is prevented due to illness or injury supported by a medical certificate, the entry may be transferred to the corresponding event the following year, provided that the event is organised.

Participant changes must be reported to the organiser by email.

Photography and Video

Photographs and video footage may be taken during the event.

The material may be used in communications, websites, social media channels and marketing for Vierumäki Swimrun, Outdoor Events and Aurora Events Oy.

If you do not wish to be photographed or filmed in an identifiable manner, please inform the race office during registration.

The organiser will make reasonable efforts to respect this request.

However, in general event and crowd photography, it may not always be possible to completely exclude individual persons from the images.

Safety and the Organiser’s Right to Modify the Event

For safety reasons, the organiser has the right to alter or shorten the course, modify or remove swimming sections, change start times, suspend the race or cancel the event or part of it.

Such a decision may be made due to thunderstorms, strong winds, unusually cold or warm water, unsafe shoreline or water conditions, or any other unforeseen safety risk.

Competitors must always follow safety instructions given by the organiser, race officials and safety personnel.

Event Cancellation

If the organiser cancels the event for reasons within the organiser’s control, the entry fee will be refunded.

If the event has to be cancelled or substantially modified due to dangerous weather conditions, an authority decision or another force majeure event beyond the organiser’s control, the organiser has the right to deduct already incurred and non-refundable event costs from any refund.

Insurance and Competitor Responsibility

Each competitor is responsible for their own personal insurance coverage.

The organiser does not insure competitors.

Each competitor is responsible for assessing their own health, fitness, swimming ability and ability to complete the race safely.

In the Pairs category, the guardian is responsible for assessing the suitability of a junior competitor for the race.

Mandatory Race Briefing at 10:30

Attendance at the race briefing is mandatory for all competitors.

The briefing will cover the most important information for the day, including the current condition of the course and swimming sections, course markings, water entry and exit points, weather and water conditions, aid station arrangements, equipment, withdrawal procedures, water safety, first aid and any last-minute changes.

Instructions given during the race briefing supplement these race instructions and must be followed.

Contact and further information

Ari Kärkkäinen
Race Director
tel. +358 44 2396 821
ari.karkkainen@auroraevents.fi

Henry Raita
Safety Manager
tel. +358 50 9172 185
henry.raita@auroraevents.fi