Ülemiste Centre turned into a running track: the first endurance run in a shopping mall was won by Margo Pihlak with 37,95 km

On Friday, 24 April, over 200 endurance runners took to a 552-metre loop on the second floor of the centre, turning Ülemiste Centre’s corridors into a sports track. The longest – the three-hour – challenge was won by Margo Pihlak with a total of 37,95 km on the track.

Ülemiste Grit is an endurance-run format where success in the race is measured not by finishing time, but by the kilometres covered. Participants could choose between a one-hour, two-hour or three-hour challenge, with the goal of covering as many kilometres as possible within the allotted time.

The course itself ran along the second floor of Ülemiste Centre – a 552-metre loop, comparable to a stadium loop. Over the course of the evening, individual results rose above expectations, while the race atmosphere itself was more vibrant than anticipated.

Three-hour challenge: first place – Margo Pihlak with 37,95 km (time: 2.56.58), second – Kaido Voogla (37,95 km, time 2.59.10), third – Tristan Rehelem (33,55 km).

The best result in the two-hour challenge – Roman Aleksandrov with 26,4 km, second place – Mihhail Bõtškov (25,85 km), third – Kertu Johanna Jõeste (24,2 km).

In the one-hour challenge, first place – Svajunas Saknys with 13,75 km, second – Ado Jakob Laurimaa (13,2 km, time 00.59.04), third – Anders Niimeister (13,2 km, time 00.59.15).

“Since our club was founded in 2010, our goal has been to motivate people in Estonia to move regularly. One of the cornerstones of that inspiration is an exciting course and a memorable event where you can put yourself to the test and feel the joy of movement,” commented the chief organiser of the race Marko Torm. “Looking back, participants said that the course turned out to be even more exciting than expected and posed a bigger challenge than they had imagined, yet despite that, the event exceeded all expectations,” Torm added.

Ülemiste Grit is a Night Run Estonia event that brings together recreational athletes whose aim is the joy of movement and a unique experience. Previous Grit events were held across Tallinn’s urban space – this year, the event was held indoors for the first time. More than 200 athletes from Estonia and abroad took part in the competition.