The Jukola Relay has already been in the spotlight in Kotka for several days. Tomorrow, on Saturday, it finally begins.
Here are some last-minute tips, reminders and key information for everyone following Kotka-Jukola.
- Welcome to Jukola! Admission is free for spectators, so feel free to come and meet friends, follow the competition, enjoy the food services, browse the offerings of sports equipment retailers and other vendors, and simply soak up the atmosphere.
- Nearly 50,000 people are expected at the competition venue over the weekend when competitors, volunteers and spectators are counted together. The event area covers Kymin Airfield and the Kotka Motorsport Centre. If possible, visitors are encouraged to use public transportation. Kotka’s local transport extra routes 53, 53K and 53N will operate between the competition centre and the city on Saturday and Sunday (route: Competition Centre – Kymin Station – Karhula – Kotka). OnniBus will also run direct services to the competition centre from several cities on Saturday. Timetables can be found in the Kotka region route planner and on the OnniBus “Kotka-Jukola” page.
- Visitors arriving by car should park at Kymin Airfield. Parking is subject to a fee. When paying via the ParkMan app, the cost is €20 for the entire period, and visitors may leave and return to the parking area if they wish. When paying by card or cash, a parking permit can be purchased from the competition information desk for €25.
- For many people, the highlight of the event is the start of the Jukola Relay. At 11:00 p.m. on Saturday evening, 1,867 runners – the first-leg competitors of each team – will charge into the forest. The Venla Relay starts earlier on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. There are 1,545 teams in the Venla Relay.
- The estimated finishing time for the winning team in the Venla Relay is 4:58 p.m. on Saturday. The winning team in the Jukola Relay is expected to reach the finish line at 6:24 a.m. on Sunday.
Teksti Päivi Taussi – Jukola-toimitus