Born in Kotka and raised in Kymin Suunnistajat, the Chair of the Finnish Olympic Committee, Petteri Kilpinen, will serve as the patron of next year’s Jukola and Venla relays held in Kotka. The patron was announced on Friday, 24 October at Helsinki’s Olympic Stadium.
– I have run the Jukola relay a few times, but the most recent time was in 1996. This has stayed in my mind in particular because a close relative’s christening took place at the same time. I drove five hours one way and arrived about an hour before my own start. I ran my leg and immediately started driving back without any sleep in between, Kilpinen recalls.
Jukola lives and grows
Jukola is a Finnish mass event that has grown even as many endurance classics have waned. Seuraava year in Kotka, Kymin Suunnistajat ry. and Vehkalahden Veikot ry. will organise the Jukola relay. For Kymin Suunnistajat this is the first time, and for Vehkalahden Veikot already the fourth. The patron, a “KyS alum”, is also considering whether to take part himself in the Jukola relay on his “home turf” – with a family team.
Jukola relay – the world’s longest glow-worm
Kotka-Jukola Competition Director Ari Kukkonen warmly thanks Petteri Kilpinen for agreeing to serve as patron. The invitation to become patron was extended already a month earlier, and Kilpinen’s consent was announced in a historic venue.
The first Jukola relay was run, organised by Helsingin Suunnistajat, on the City of Helsinki’s namesake day, 12 June 1949. The heavens wept devoutly. The first Jukola relay was exactly as intended to become a tradition: demanding, varied and exciting. 41 teams started and only 15 finished. The start took place at Ruskeasanta in Helsinki, continued via Korso and Sipoo, and finished in Tapanila. At that time the leg changes took place along the course and the runners were transported by bus to the changeover areas. (Source: jukola.com/jukolan-historia/tilastot)
Kilpinen considers participating with a family team
Petteri Kilpinen expresses his gratitude for the trust and greatly appreciates the role entrusted to him. He is also considering taking part in Kotka-Jukola himself with the Kilpinen seven-member family team, consisting of his five sons and his nephew.
Kymin Suunnistajat Chair Pauli Kainiemi notes that it is highly significant for the organising club to have one of its own serve as the competition’s patron. Finnish Orienteering Federation CEO Mika Ilomäki smiles at the end and, laughing, reminds everyone of a tradition: because this is an outdoor event, the patron is also hoped to bring good weather. So we look forward to fine orienteering weather!
Participants in the announcement event
The announcement event for the patron of the Jukola and Venla relays included representatives of Kymin Suunnistajat ry. and Vehkalahden Veikot ry. as well as board representatives from Kaukametsäläiset ry, the Finnish Orienteering Federation and the Finnish Defence Forces.
What is the Jukola patron?
The Jukola patron is an honorary role – a respected public figure is invited to serve as the face of the event.