Tartu Maraton to consider alternative route due to poor weather

Two weeks before the planned start of 44th Tartu Maraton snow conditions are still very poor in Estonia and it is extreamly unlikely that Tartu Maraton will take place on its original course on the 21st of February. 

Organizers are now already concentrating on the alternative artificial snow course plan.

“Together with Tehvandi Sport Center we are considering an alternative plan mostly for the 5th Tartu Relay Marathon and Open Course events on the 14th of February,“ said race director Indrek Kelk. 

“There is an option that the Relay Marathon and Open Track events could take place on a 3km lap of artificial snow. This lap exists at the moment but a lot depends on weather during the next week. 

“Right now we have at least an alternative plan for the pre-events of the Tartu Maraton.”

The official decision and exact plans about the 5th Tartu Relay Maraton and Open Course events will be revealed on the 8th of February.

The 44th Tartu Maraton main events are planned for the 21st of February. “We also are developing an alternative plan for the main races and the plan is very similar to the one that our colleagues at Jizerska used at the beginning of January – to organize the marathon during several days on a 3-4km lap with group starts,“ said Kelk.

“Unfortunately we would need to modify the existing 2,7km course at Tehvandi Sports Center because right now its too technical and dangerous for thousands of skiers that would ski there during the main events. But for that we would need to produce extra snow and this in turn demands colder temperatures,” added Kelk.

Final decision for the 44th Tartu Maraton main races will be made on the 15th of February.

This article first appeared here.