41st Youth Jukola
Saturday 22.8.2026, Kontiolahti
Legs, age and skill requirements, and preliminary leg distances
| Leg | Age | Skill level | Leg distance |
| 1 | W16 (b. 2010–) | 14 / orange | 4,5 km |
| 2 | M/W16 (b. 2010–) | 14 / orange | 4,9 km |
| 3 | M/W14 (b. 2012–) | 10 / white | 2,3 km |
| 4 | W14 (b. 2012–) | 12 / yellow | 3,0 km |
| 5 | M/W14(b. 2012–) | 12 / yellow | 3,1 km |
| 6 | W18 (b. 2008–) | 16 / purple | 5,5 km |
| 7 | M/W18 (b. 2008–) | 16 / purple | 6,3 km |
| Altogether | 29,6 km |
The leg distances include approximately 300 m marked routes. All legs except the 3rd have forking.
Start
The relay mass start at 13:00. The winning team is expected to finish at around 16:00.
Competition rules
The competition follows the rules of the Finnish Orienteering Federation as well as the instructions given by the organizer.
Eligibility to participate
The relay competition is intended for club teams of orienteering clubs. In the Youth Jukola, the same orienteer may not run on two different legs. If a club team is incomplete, it is also possible to participate with a composite team consisting of runners from different clubs. In this case, the team contact person must add a “Y” designation next to the team’s name in the registration system. If, for example due to illness, a team includes so-called “double runners” (one runner competing on more than one leg), the team must be changed to an “unofficial team (U team)” at the competition information point.
A team may also be made up of students of schools within the same municipality or from members of a youth organization. Clubs that have signed the youth agreement of the Finnish Orienteering Federation compete as club teams, not as composite teams. Leg-specific age and gender restrictions apply to all teams.
There is no “orienteering bank” (runner pool). Individual competitors (under 18 years of age) may register in advance by Friday, August 21 at 16:00 at the latest by email to nuju2026@kalevanrasti.fi. The participation fee is €21 per person. Participants are not required to have a competition license or insurance. Individual participants will take part in the Youth Jukola restart; no official time will be recorded. Participation is at one’s own risk.
Registration
Registration for the Youth Jukola opens on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, and closes on Sunday, August 9, 2026 at 23:59. A link to the registration system will be published on the event website: https://jukola.com/nj2026/nuorten-jukola/ilmoittautuminen/. The entry fee is €145 per team. Payments are made online directly through the registration system. Teams from abroad will be charged a bank service fee for currency transfers.
Late registration
Late registration is possible through the registration system until Sunday, August 16, 2026, at 23:59. The entry fee for late-registered teams is €195 per team. The payment method is the same as for regular registration.
Running Order
The final running order must be submitted by Friday, August 21, 2026, at 14:00 through the registration system. Justified changes can be submitted in writing to the information desk until 12:00 on the competition day. The competition jury (TA) will approve or reject the changes. A team that fails to submit its running order according to the instructions will not be granted a start. Teams running in an order other than the one submitted will be disqualified.
Competition Cards and Punching System
The competition uses the Emit punching system. Each team must have at least three Emit cards. The same card cannot be used in two different teams or on consecutive legs within the same team. Emit cards can be rented from the organizers at a cost of €5 per card. The number of rental cards required must be indicated at the time of registration. The numbers of the Emit cards do not need to be reported in advance but will be recorded in the results system at the start or exchange area on the competition day.
GPS Tracking
GPS tracking will be used on legs 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7. Approximately 20 teams will be selected in advance for tracking at the organizer’s discretion. The designated teams are required to carry the GPS devices provided by the organizers during the competition. Additional teams may be added to the tracking list by the organizers as the event progresses if needed.
The use of personal GPS watches or similar devices is subject to rule 3.54 of the sport’s regulations. The use of cameras is prohibited during competition.
Prizes
The 15 best club teams in the competition will be awarded Junior Jukola medals. The top seven club teams will receive honorary prizes. The winning team will hold the challenge trophy for one year and keep a miniature version of the trophy permanently. In addition, the best composite team will also be awarded.
Training Ban
The competition area is under a training ban. Detailed information is available in the Finnish Orienteering Federation Map Register.
Competition Terrain
The competition area is generally easy to move through. There are plenty of paths and tracks, as well as guiding features suitable for children’s and youth courses, throughout all parts of the terrain.
Map
Orienteering map, scale 1:10,000, contour interval 5 m, digitally printed. Map size A4. Maps are protected by a plastic cover. The map maker is Jussi Silvennoinen; the map was completed in 2025 and updated in 2026. The previous map of the area is available on the competition website.
Training
The Youth Jukola 2026 training maps are in the Lykynlampi and Jaamankangas areas, with a model orienteering course at Kontioranta. Maps will be available from the beginning of June 2026. Training maps can be purchased through the Kalevan Rasti online store.
Arrival
The competition center is located at the Kontiolahti Biathlon Stadium, Napakympintie 24, 81100 Kontiolahti. Detailed instructions for arrival and guidance will be published on the Youth Jukola website.
Parking
Parking is 100–600 m from the competition center. The parking fee is €5 for cars and €20 for motorhomes, payable at the competition information desk. Bus parking is free, but advance notice of arrival is requested.
Competition Center
The competition center is the Kontiolahti Biathlon Stadium and its surroundings, which consist mostly of hard-packed sand and asphalt surfaces. Changing and washing facilities are available at the competition center.
Club Tents
Club tents can be set up at the competition center from Friday, August 21, 2026, at 17:00 onwards. Tents must be placed in the designated spots. Club tent spaces can be reserved through the registration system. Each space measures 5 m × 6 m, and the reservation fee is €12.
Competition Information Desk
The competition information desk will be open at the competition center on Friday, August 21, 2026, from 17:00 to 20:00, and on the event day at the competition center from 10:00 onwards.
Accommodation
Accommodation options are provided on the event website: https://jukola.com/nj2026/en/accommodation/. Overnight stays at the competition center are prohibited.
Catering
The competition center has a restaurant, café, and grill. A meal costs €13 if purchased on-site and €11 if ordered in advance. Advance orders can be made through the order link on the event website from July 1, 2026, until August 9, 2026, at the latest.
Officials and Contact Information
- Competition Director: Arja Makkonen, arja.makkonen@kalevanrasti.fi
- Chief Secretary: Sami Leinonen, sami@kontiolahtibiathlon.com
- Course Setter: Santeri Silvennoinen
- Communications: Sari Jormanainen, viestinta@kalevanrasti.fi
- Competition Jury (TA): Mika Kantola, SSL, kuntsi.kantola@gmail.com
- Course Supervisor: Risto Vairinen