Competition guidelines 2025
The competition instructions have been updated on August 6, 2025. Please see the competition instructions below. Note! The proportion of sports drinks and maintenance offered has been clarified!
Before running
Arrival & parking
The competition center is located in Mesilä snow center - Messiläntie 308, 15980 Hollola. Parking is available in the immediate vicinity of the competition center on the sand field. When you arrive, please follow the guidance and parking attendants' advice. It is also possible to arrive at the competition venue by public transport (shifts 4 or 8), but none of the LSL lines go all the way there. Depending on the shift, the walk will be approximately 2 – 3 km, and the total travel time is 40 – 50 min, depending on the starting point.
Collection of competition material
Competition material can be picked up as a self-service from the race center information desk before your departure. The race center information desk opens on Friday, August 8th at 11:30 and on Saturday, August 9th at 7:30. Competition material for Saturday's competition can only be picked up on Saturday, and it is not yet available on Friday. The competition material includes a number tag with a timing chip. Saturday's competition material includes a lunch ticket, which can be redeemed for a buffet lunch at Messilä Market Restaurant (see map above)! Competitors will also be given products from partners as part of their participation.
Other competition material can be found on our website (www.tiirismaatrail.fi) under Event info. From the route maps page A route map and gpx files for the various distances are available for download. A paper route map for Saturday's runs will also be distributed to each competitor.
Competition equipment
In the competition, a number tag containing a timing chip is mandatory equipment. The number tag must be attached to the chest in one piece to ensure a successful timekeeping. You don't fold the license plate. Your number can be viewed in advance of the competition from the online results service, from which the correct event is selected first: Fri Vertical / Kids or Sat Tiirismaa Trail). After this, look at the start list for the correct series, where you can check your race number. The numbers can be found in the information box by distance (Vertical, Kids, 8, 12, 21 and 42 km) in numerical order, where they are distributed to the competitors. There are also paper start lists at the information desk on site. Below is a list of other equipment recommended by the organizer. For those who registered later, the numbers can also be found in the information desk, where they are distributed in the order of registration.
- Drinking bottle or drinking backpack (12 km / 21 km / 42 km). Disposable cups are available at the refreshment points, and water and sports drinks are available (Precision Fuel 60 Drink Mix and Bix Active electrolyte drink). You can fill your own bottles or mugs at the drinking station on behalf of the officials. Disposable mugs should be thrown into the bins provided at the drinking station.
- Extra energy, e.g. Energy gels for long distances (12 – 42 km). The race route contains a relatively large amount of vertical ascent, which is why rounding the race route takes about 40 – 60 % longer than the equivalent distance on a flat road. For example, on a 21-kilometer route, a runner with a 2-hour half distance can therefore prepare for a performance lasting approximately 2:50 – 3:15 hours. For this reason, thinking about additional energy makes sense even for slightly shorter trail rides that are used to road races.
- Outdoor sneakers. The route has varied terrain, from needle paths to rocky patches, and from ski slopes to small paths. The prevailing ground is the Sorainen ski slope driving path in the area of the competition center, and outside Messilä, a narrow path that is mostly less than a meter wide. In dry weather, the shoes don't get wet much, but when it rains, the route can also be slippery and muddy, in which case a trail running shoe with a grippy sole is an essential piece of equipment. In dry summer weather, the route can also be run with regular sneakers.
Dressing and toilets
Changing rooms are limited and we recommend that you dress in your competition attire at home so that you do not need to use the changing rooms before departure. There are plenty of toilets at the competition center for both men and women. The nearest toilets are at the Ski Bistro and the Market Restaurant, where meals are also provided.
During the run
Rules
In the competition, the competition instructions drawn up by the organizer must be followed. In the competition, fair play rules are followed in good spirit, and every competitor must also take into account other competitors and nature during the run. The event takes place partly in nature reserves, so movement only takes place on paths marked by the organizer.
- The competitor's performance can be rejected if he deviates or corrects from the marked route, without returning back to the point where the correction took place.
- If you want to pass the runner in front, state your intentions and ask for space. If, on the other hand, there is a faster one from behind, give overtaking space if he asks for it.
- Garbage must be thrown into the garbage bags connected to the service or drinking stations. Intentional littering will result in the runner's performance being automatically disqualified.
ITRA scores
21 km of the competition's distances are ITRA (International Trail Running Association) 1 point race, and 42 km is 2 points competition. These points will be given to all competitors who completed the journey within the time limit, if they have also informed the organizer of their date of birth.
UTMB index
21 km and 42 km of the competition's distances produce UTMB-index points. The 21 km distance is in the category UTMB 20 km and the 42 km race is in the category UTMB 50 km.
Departures and schedule
Gathering at the start takes place 5 minutes before the departure of your own series. The departure times of the different series are listed below. The departure takes place according to the instructions in the announcement.
Friday, August 8, 2025
- At 1:00 PM HOKA Messilä Vertical and TEAM VERTICAL
- At 18:00 Tiirismaa Trail Kids 1.6 km
Saturday 9.8.2025
- 9:00 AM 42 km. Marathon cut-offs for the second round:
- 12:40 Race Center, 21.2 km
- 13:35 Tiirismaa HP1, 25.5 km
- 14:50 Arvi Hauvonen road HP2, 31.9 km
- 16:00 Tiirismaa HP3, 37.6 km
- 17:00 Finish 42.4 km
- 10:00 AM 8 km (youth + Tiirismaa Trekki fitness series)
- 10:40 21 km
- At 12:00 12 km
Route marking
Emphasis is placed on marking the route by coordinating four different marking methods, which would guarantee running the route as clearly as possible.
- The route is marked with 60 cm long wooden sticks with an 8 x 8 cm Tiirismaa Trail flag on the end, and some of the sticks also have an approx. 5 x 5 cm orange flag in addition to the previous one. In increasingly unclear points and when approaching a junction, slightly larger (10 x 10 cm) red and white Tiirismaa Trail flags have also been used, the purpose of which is to attract the runner's attention. In more unclear points, the flags have been placed more frequently, and on clearer tracks, the flags are sparse.
- It is at the worst intersections uniform blue HOKA-a plastic strip that closes the wrong forks in the path.
- The route is also in the most important places arrow signs showing the right direction for the turn, and confirming the right turn. After different intersections, there is also a "you are on the route" sign with appropriate travel codes.
- In addition, marking spray has been used on the route to show the direction of turning with arrows on the ground.
Service points
There are a total of 2 different service points on the race route: Tiirismaa and Arvi Hauvonen tie. In addition, one drinking point is located at the finish area for 42 km runners - when starting a new round. There is a service point at the finish for all trips. You can check the locations of the service points from the route map.
The number of service and drink points for different journeys is as follows:
- 8 km – 1 service point (Tiirismaa: 4.3 km) + finish line
- 12 km – 2 service point (Tiirismaa 1: 4.3 km and Tiirismaa 2: 7.8 km) + paint
- 21 km – 2 service point (Tiirismaa 1: 4.3 km, Arvi Hauvonen road 10.7 km, and Tiirismaa 2: 16.3 km) + finish line
- 42 km – 4 service point (Tiirismaa: 4.3 | 16.3 | 25.5 | 37.6 km) + 2 x drinking point (Arvi Hauvonen tie: 10.7 | 31.9 km) + refreshment/finish (21.2 | 42.2 km.) For 42 km runners, there is a drink service at the start of the round, i.e. at the start of a new round - at 21.2 km. You can also leave your own bottles here).
Water and sports drinks are served as drinks at service stations. Note! Follow the change! Due to availability challenges, the sports drink offering is different from what was previously announced. Tiirismaa maintenance (and the start of the new leg of the marathon) will be available Precision Fuel 60 Drink Mix, with a mixing ratio of 30 g carbohydrates per liter. You can read more in the product description from here. Arvi Hauvonen on the road and in the finish line is served Bix Active series electrolyte drink to improve fluid balance. Energy-rich snacks such as bananas, chips and loose candy are available at the finish line and service stations.
At the service points, the drink is ready in mugs, and you can also refill your own bottles from the faucet of the drinking fountains. Your own gels and disposable cups must be placed in the trash reserved by the organizers at the service points. To minimize waste, only 1 mug is reserved per runner/drinking station. If you drink more than a cup, ask the attendants for a refill in the same cup. We recommend using your own drinking bottle or mug. Stewards will fill the bottles and mugs for you.
It is possible to perform maintenance outside of the competitors only in connection with the service stations and in connection with the start and the finish. Otherwise, the competitor must take care of his own maintenance along the route.
First aid
The competition's first aid is located at the finish line. The telephone numbers of the competition management and first aid can be found on the participants' number tag.If you need help during the competition, call the competition management at 0503704084. Tell and be ready to ask about the need for help when you experience/see an injury. We are all obliged to help when we encounter someone in need. If you are unable to move on your own, and possibly need transportation off the terrain, you can call the race management's phone number. Transports can be made at service points and also along larger grooves on the route. In non-urgent situations, be prepared to wait for transport.
Cessation
It is important that competitors who have stopped also register at the finish line. The organizer makes sure that all competitors who start the journey also arrive at the finish line. By registering at the finish line, we avoid possible unnecessary terrain searches.
Finish line
On Friday 8.8. In the Kids event, the finish line closes at 19:00. In the HOKA Messilä Vertical event, the finish line closes when the last runner in the race has completed one lap alone. In the Friday race, the finish line will have SIS Go sports drink and water as drinks.
The finish will be closed on Saturday 9.8. at 17:00. Note! Competitors who have stopped will also register at the finish line! Bix Actice electrolyte drink and water will be available at the finish line. Energy-rich food such as bananas, chips, candies and chocolate will also be available. To minimize waste, one cup per runner will be provided at the finish line. If you drink more than one cup, ask the officials for a refill in the same cup.
After the run
Laundry and sauna
The competition center offers free sauna and shower access at the Messilä Hotel on both Friday (4:00 PM – 9:00 PM) and Saturday (11:30 AM – 6:00 PM).
Cafe and dining
On Friday 8.8. Runners can enjoy a light refreshment at the Manor Restaurant from 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and the tastiest pizzas in Lahti are served directly after the runs. From the manor restaurant – right in front of the competition center.
On Saturday 9.8. All participants' registration includes a buffet lunch at Messilä Market Restaurant, which can be enjoyed immediately after the run with a lunch ticket given to competitors. Lunch will be available until the last competitor reaches the finish line or until the finish line closes at the latest. The buffet lunch can also be purchased separately for all non-registered participants for €15.90. The price for children is (4-11-year-old €10 and under 4-year-old, €5)
Award ceremony
The award ceremony for each series will be held approximately 15 – 20 minutes after the top 3 positions in the series have been determined. On Friday, August 8. In the Hoka-Vertical series, the top 3 men and women will be awarded. In the children's Tiirismaa Trail kids series, all participants in addition to the first three will be awarded. In addition, the top 3 teams in the children's team competition will be awarded in the Tiirismaa Trail Kids competition, both in the boys' and girls' categories. In the children's team competition, children of all ages up to 14 years old can form a team, as long as they represent the same club.
On Saturday, August 9, the top 3 men and women in the 12–42 km categories will be awarded. The top 3 in the youth (under 16) 8 km category will also be awarded. Prizes will not be awarded based on placement among participants in the trekking series, but there will be raffle prizes in the series. Each participant will receive a participation medal and a Tiirismaa Trail participation award upon reaching the finish line.
Results service and pictures
The results are updated in real time as ONLINE results. The results service can be found on our website under www.tiirismaatrail.fi -> Results -> ONLINE results.
Photos and videos will be published during and after the race on social media. Our channels are Facebook and Instagram @TiirismaaTrail. In addition, pictures are also published at www.tiirismaatrail.fi -> Pictures. The pictures can be downloaded for use on social media. When using photos from the event, use tags #tiirismaatrail #tiirismaatrail2025. Also mention the photographer's name when using the image.
