The opening of the enrolment system is a significant moment for Louna-Jukola, as our ambitious goal is to organize the biggest Jukola of all time. We firmly believe in crossing the threshold of 17,000 orienteers for the first time. The highest number of participants so far was reached at Valio-Jukola (Vantaa) in 2012, when Venla and Jukola Relays together totalled 16,667 runners. From this point of view, the advantages of Louna-Jukola are an excellent location right next to the Turku–Helsinki motorway and – compared with many of the previous years – a little gentler and easier-to-run terrain, suitable for fitness orienteers.
Another clear goal for Louna-Jukola is encouraging non-competing fitness orienteers to take part. We seek to grow the number of teams with the sole goal of participating and getting through the race. To be concrete, this means getting 80 new fitness teams from the region of Southwest Finland. Venla and Jukola Relays are exceptional in the sense that they smoothly combine the sport at the world’s highest level and a fitness event for laymen. Jukola is for all, which is why our slogan is: “Everyone’s A Winner!”
The orienteering schools organized during the autumn were a success, and many new fitness-level enthusiasts have started orienteering due to them. Even full Jukola and Venla teams were collected together in the school events. Due to popularity and positive feedback we will organize more school events in the spring, guided by competitive level orienteers from the organizing clubs of Louna-Jukola.
Already now, there seems to be some kind of an orienteering boom going on in Turku region, and we aim at supporting it even more. Everyone is warmly welcome to join the wonderful family of orienteering – and you still have plenty of time to improve your orienteering skills and to enter Louna-Jukola 2015!
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Susi Training Center @kisakallio (the home and training centre for the Finnish Basketball Federation) is the first entered Jukola team! A new challenge for basketball? Susi Training Center @Kisakallio
