SEB Tallinn Marathon aims for a Guinness record

TALLINN - The largest public sporting event in Estonia, the SEB Tallinn Marathon, takes place on Sunday, Sept. 8, with more than 17,000 participants already registered. This year, participants are aiming for a Guinness record.
The Guinness record attempt is for running the marathon distance while bouncing a basketball through the entire run. The current record holder of this type of marathon running is an American Mark Ott, who in 2010 ran the distance while bouncing a ball with the time of 3.23.42. Five men will try to beat the Guinness record at SEB Tallinn Marathon: Reigo Kimmel, Martti Medar, Jarlet Magi, Mirjo Koit and Enar Karlson.

“In order to increase the chances of beating the record and to spur on other participants, we’re welcoming people to cheer along next to the track. The best places for the audience to cheer for the participants are, for example, in Schnelli Park, Towers Square, near the Pirita Bridge and in several other parks that also house the live kilometer stops, where different musical collectives, DJs and cheerleaders also spur on the runners and walkers,” said Mati Lilliallik, the chief organizer of SEB Tallinn Marathon.

The marathon distance, as part of which the Estonian Championships in marathon running is also taking place, kicks off on Sunday at 9 a.m. Semi-marathon runners take to the track at 11:30 a.m., and people running and walking the 10 km distance start at 1:30 p.m.
Children will run the Haribo children’s run a day earlier, on Sept. 7 at 2 p.m. As tradition goes, Tibu, Jape and the Haribo bear will run alongside the young runners at the Haribo children’s run. Registration for the children’s run takes place at the location, and participation is free of charge for everyone.

The opening ceremony of the SEB Tallinn Marathon is held at the Freedom Square Saturday evening. At 5:30 p.m., the audience will be greeted by legendary band Vitamiin, who after a 23 year break is coming back to the stage with such line-up: soloists are Marju Lanik, Mait Maltis, Joel Steinfeld and Raul Sepper. At 6 p.m., favorites of the run will be introduced, and the SEB Tallinn Marathon is officially launched. The evening will be filled with timeless songs by the band Vitamiin and will end with spectacular fireworks from RUF. The entire opening ceremony is free of charge for everyone.
The organizers of the SEB Tallinn Marathon are prepared to host a record number of participants this year. Registration for the competition is continuing on the Internet until all the slots have been filled - there are 50 slots remaining for the marathon and semi-marathon distances; 500 slots for the 10 km run and 10 km walking/Nordic walking.

It is possible to register for the last remaining slots also at the SEB Tallinn Marathon information desk situated in Freedom Square, which is open from Sept. 4-7 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and at the competition center the morning of the competition day from 7 a.m.

Additional information:
Phone: +372 52 13 331
www.tallinnmarathon.ee