Üldjuhend

1.1. 52. TARTU MARATON (hereinafter 52. TM) belongs to the 2026 calendar of international long distance ski race series Worldloppet (WL), International Ski Federation (FIS) and Estonian long distance ski race series Estoloppet. Tartu Maraton is also the first stage of Tartu Maraton Klassik.  

1.2. 52. TM is organized by Club Tartu Maraton in co-operation with the sponsors and supporters.

1.3. 52. TM will be organized according to the cross-country long distance skiing race rules of the Estonian Ski Association and FIS, current Race Regulations, WL Regulations, the official program of the competition and according to the decisions made by the Council and Board of Club Tartu Maraton.

1.4. In addition to the main races on 14th-15th of February, there will be a virtual race from 16th of January to 16th of March 2026 according to separate regulations. Registration to virtual races must be made separately. Re-registration from the main race to virtual one and vice versa is possible (see p.3). Completion of a virtual race distance will count towards multiple participation awards (silver and gold pins) of Tartu Maraton if the participant does not have a result from the main races of Tartu Maraton in the given year.

1.5. Due to force majeure the organizer could be forced to change or shorten the course (or course location), change the location of start and/or finish, start time, race technique, compose the race from laps, or cancel the race. The Organizing Committee will make the final decision at least 72 h before start time, which will be forwarded to mass media. In exceptional circumstances the Jury has a right to make changes concerning the race until 3 hours before the start (FIS Article 388.1.3) to secure safety of the participants.

In case of changing or shortening the track, the WL stamp will be issued if the track is at least 50% of the original.

1.6. Other unforeseen cases will be solved by the Organizing Committee.

2.1. 52. TARTU MARATON takes place on February 14th-15th, 2026. The race dates will not be changed.

• The start of the free technique races will be given on February 14th, 2026 at Arula crossroads (8th km of Otepää-Puka road):
  • ​Start of Tartu Maraton Vintage 31 km at 10:00 a.m.
  • Start of Relay Race 31 km at 10:30 a.m.
  • Start of Tartu Maraton 31 km FT at 11:00 a.m.
  • 31 km FT and 31 km Vintage race belongs to the calendar of WL and Estoloppet short races and Tartu Maraton Klassik series.
  • Finish is open at 11:30-17:00 in Tartumaa Tervisespordikeskus.

     

• The start of the classic technique races will be given on February 16th, 2026:

  • ​The starts of the 63 km race distance shall be launched in 10-minute intervals from the stadium of the Tehvandi Sports Centre in Otepää (please see start times in section 8).

  • The first start of the 63 km distance at 9:00 is a mass start (up to the 5th start group), with time starting from the starting gun. From the 6th start group onwards, net time is used, and the time starts when crossing the start line.

  • All start corridors for the 63 km race distance shall be opened at 8:30 a.m.

  • The 63 km race belongs to the Worldloppet and Estoloppet long race calendar.

  • 31 km start is given at 12:30 in 10-minute intervals at Arula crossroad (8th km of Otepää-Puka road).

  • In 31 km distance, net time is used, and the time starts when crossing the start line.

  • All start corridors for the 31 km race distance shall be opened at 12:00 p.m.

  • 31 km race belongs to the WL and Estoloppet short race calendar.

  • In all distances, finish is located 2 km from Elva towards Hellenurme, in Tartumaa Tervisespordikeskus (Tartu County Recreational Sports Centre). Finish is closed at 19:00.

3.1. Registration takes place:

• on website tartumaraton.ee up to 14.02.2026 at 17:00 (online registration for 31 km FT distance is possible up to 13.02.2026 at 17:00).
• in Tartu Maraton office up to 12.02.2026 at 17:00 (Laulupeo Ave 25, Tartu, phone +372 7 431 644).
• at the race office on 13.02 from 12:00 to 20:00 and on 14.02 from 10:00 to 17:00.
• On the race day (14.02 and 15.02) at the start areas (registration opens 1,5 h before start).
• ​Info about registration to teams’ competition is available here.
  ​

3.2. Re-registration is the alteration of the participant’s name or the race distance. Re-registration is possible:

• on website tartumaraton.ee until Saturday before the race at 17:00;
• at the race office on 13.02 from 12:00 to 20:00 and on 14.02 from 10:00 to 17:00
• Re-registration in self-service environment is free of charge until the end of the second entry wave, only difference of the participation fees of distances (swapping the shorter distance for the longer distance) must be paid; later all re-registrations will cost 10 € + difference of the participation fees of distances.
• No re-registration on the race day!
• Participants starting under a false name shall be disqualified. In case of a lost / left behind start number, a 10 € replacement fee must be paid.

3.3. With making the entry, the participant confirms the willingness to abide by the current Race Regulations and gives the permission to use the shot photo and video material for the promotion of the event.

3.4. With making the entry, the participant confirms the willingness to abide by the Privacy Policy.

31 KM FREE TECHNIQUE AND VINTAGE 14.02.26

63 KM & 31 KM CLASSIC TECHNIQUE 15.02.2026

4.1. A discount of 30% from the current registration wave price is available for the youth up to the age of 18 (included), this discount does not apply to the re-registration fee and when registering on the day of the race. For those who registered with the youth discount price, other discounts (group discount etc.) do not apply.

4.2. A discount of 10% from the current registration wave price is available for groups of 10 or more participants to whom other discounts do not apply. The registration must be done as a group all at once via the registration system of our homepage.

4.3. Start fee includes: prepared ski track; start bib with time keeping chip; marking stickers for the skis; medical service card; souvenir pin; time keeping (only in case of wearing start bib and correctly attached time keeping chip during the whole race); service and catering in the SP-s and at the finish; awarding; diploma with name, result and placing; finisher medal; luggage transport from start to finish; medical service if necessary; transport of abandoned skiers; silver or gold pins according to the statute.

4.4. In case of waiving the right to participate, the entry fee will not be refunded, but by submitting a doctor's note by 14.02.26 at 17:00, 50% of the paid registration fee will be transferred to the participant's account in the self-service environment of Club Tartu Maraton as a credit which can be used to pay for the registration to next races in the Klassik series.

5.1. Start numbers for 31 km FT and Vintage race are handed out:

• At the race office on 13.02 at 12:00-20:00.
• On the race day (14.02) at start area at Arula crossroads (8th km of Otepää-Puka road) at 8:30-10:00.

5.2. Start numbers for 63 km and 31 km CT are handed out:

• At the race office on 13.02 at 12:00-20:00 and on 14.02 at 10:00-19:00.
• On the race day (15.02) at the start locations:
  • for 63 km in Otepää at 7:30-8:30.
  • for 31 km in Arula at 11:00-12:00.

6.1. The 31 km ski course on February14th is prepared for free technique (both skate and classic technique is permitted).

6.2. On February 15th only classical technique is permitted in 63 and 31 km distance, which is checked along the whole course. Using the wrong technique leads to disqualification. This is based upon the protocols and video recordings done by technique control which will be looked through before publishing the official results.

6.3. Everyone will participate in their own responsibility! It is advisable to have an accident and/or health insurance. Organizers are not liable for participants’ health problems or damaged/lost personal belongings.

6.4. Age limit: all skiers born in 2011 or earlier (in 2014 or earlier on the shorter distance) who have trained enough for the race are allowed to participate.

With trainer’s permission, younger skiers can also participate in the 63 km race. Younger skiers can participate in the shorter distances with parents, on their responsibility.

63 km age groups:

Female: N17 (year of birth 2011-09), N20 (2008-2006), N21 (2005-92), N35 (91-87), N40 (86-82), N45 (81-77), N50 (76-72), N55 (71-67), N60 (66-62), N65 (61-57), N70 (56 and earlier);

Male: M17 (2011-09), M20 (2008-2007), M21 (2005-92), M35 (91-87), M40 (86-82), M45 (81-77), M50 (76-72), M55 (71-67), M60 (66-62), M65 (61-57), M70 (56-52), M75 (51-47), M80 (46-42), M85 (41 amd earlier). 

6.5. The participants of the Tartu Maraton respect clean and honest sports. The anti-doping rules of the FIS are fully implemented in the event, and due to this, the Estonian Center for Integrity in Sports and other anti-doping organizations have got the right to carry out doping tests among all participants.

6.6. According to the FIS rule 222.8 the use of fluorinated wax or tuning products containing fluorine is prohibited.

6.7. Due to Russia's military aggression in Ukraine, Russian and Belarusian athletes cannot participate in Tartu Maraton events. Exceptions are Russians and Belarusians living in Estonia with a residence permit.

7.1. In all distances the start corridors will be opened 30 minutes before start.

7.2. Service stations.

There are 7 service stations on the 63 km course: 1. Matu 12 km, 2. Ande 23 km, 3. Kuutse 32 km, 4. Peebu 39 km, 5. Palu 46,6 km, 6. Hellenurme 53,5 km, 7. Coffee point 59,2 km.

There are 4 service stations on the 31 km course: 1. Peebu 7 km, 2. Palu 14,6 km, 3. Hellenurme 21,5 km, 4. Coffee point 27,2 km.

7.3. Waste areas.

There will be marked waste areas on the race course before and after every service point and at other specially signed section. Please dispose of your waste (drink bottles, gel tubes etc.) next to the course, do not throw it to the forest or road ditch, where it is hard to find for cleaning crew after the event. It is prohibited to litter outside of waste areas! Organizers and commissaries have the right to disqualify or fine the violators. Disqualification can also be based on photo or video recordings.

7.4. The labeling of the skis is not mandatory. Exchange of only one ski is permitted during the race. Exchange of both skis will lead to disqualification.

7.5. Medical aid is organized by Estonian Disaster Relief Team in co-operation with Tartu Ambulance and Tartu County Red Cross Society. If you see someone in trouble on the track, please try to help and let the organizers know immediately or call 112!

7.6. Lost and found items must be given to the service station’s chief, who transports the things to the secretariat after the station is closed. Owners can ask for their lost things from the finish area lost and found booth or from the Club Tartu Maraton office during one month after the race.

• Personal results will be taken into consideration in assigning start numbers (not guaranteeing the same start numbers) of both distances only if registration is made before the end of 2nd registration period.
• The latest result on the same Tartu Maraton distance has priority. The starting position is calculated based on the K-index formula and the weight of the events specified in the Tartu Maraton Klassik series. The place achieved at the 2025 marathon is taken into consideration (coefficient value of 1), or if there isn't one, the result of the 2024 race (coef. of 1.1) or Tartu Maraton 2023 (coef. of 1.2), but thereat it must be noted that a start number or position in the same start group cannot be guaranteed.
• Based on the 31 km results in 2025 and 2024, starting placements on 63 km shall be available from the 5th start group.
• If a participant who has not got a result in Tartu Maraton 2025, 2024 or 2023, presents a request, the results of other Worldloppet races (the three previous seasons – 2025, 2024 and 2023 - and the ongoing 2026 season up to 07.02.2026) and the results of other Estoloppet races (2024, 2023, 2022 and the two first races of the ongoing 2025 season) shall be taken into account. The seeding request with one's Worldloppet or Estoloppet results should be sent to the address tartumaraton@tartumaraton.ee by no later than the end of the 2nd registration period. Later complaints shall not be taken into consideration.
• Skiers who did not participate in Tartu Maraton in 2025, 2024 or 2023 and do not have suitable results from other races, will get start numbers in the last start groups in the order of registration.
• The 63 km elite group is made up of the top 30 participants in Tartu Maraton 2025 and skiers who have an active FIS code and no more than 200 FIS points.
• On 31 km skiers can choose their start group based on their preliminary finish time.
• On 63 km, every skier must enter the start gate according to his/her start number. 
• Loyal participants with more than 20 participations will get specially designed “ambassador” start numbers if registration is completed during the first registration wave. More info about the participation awards HERE
• The start list by start groups will be published on the website one week after closing the second registration wave, the start list by start numbers will be published on the website four days before the race at the latest.

9.1. Time limits of passing service stations (classic technique on 15.02.26):

9.2. Not passing the service points before the time limit leads to disqualification. These skiers will be taken to the finish area by bus.

10.1. Transportation for participants.

The organizers recommend using special shuttle buses for transport from Tartu and the Finish car park in Elva to the Start location on the morning of the marathon. A seat on a special bus heading to the Start location is only guaranteed with a ticket purchased from pre-sale. After the marathon, special shuttle buses are available for travelling from the Finish Location to Tartu and the Start car parks. The special shuttle buses are available for a fee of 6 €, if purchased from pre-sale, and 10 € from buses. The pre-sale of bus tickets is performed online and at the Race Centre. The bus schedules of the shuttle buses are published on the Club’s website by no later than 2 weeks prior to the race.

10.2. Parking.

Parking in Otepää and in Palu is free of charge; cars are directed to the parking lots in the order of fulfill. Parking in the finish car park (Elva-Hellenurme 2 km) costs €7 and the parking zone code is EP500.

Parking is free for buses with more than 10 passenger seats.

10.3. Traffic restrictions.

Parking and stopping areas at the service stations are marked with temporary traffic signs, ignoring of which will lead to traffic fines. Stopping in restricted areas and feeding elite athletes is only allowed with special permits.

11.1. Time keeping is performed with an electronic timing chip. To get a result, your 2026-year race bib must be visible from your front and back during the entire race and the time keeping chip must be attached properly to your ankle. The time keeping chip must be returned to race organizer. Unreturned timing chips will result in a penalty of 49 €. 

11.2. Unofficial results will be constantly updated on Tartu Maraton website. The Official Results will be issued on Friday after the race at 17:00 on the website www.tartumaraton.ee.

11.3. Individuals who participate under a wrong name and/or start number, use more than one time keeping chip or engage in other unsportsmanlike behavior, will be disqualified. Race Director and Race Secretary have the right to make evidence-based disqualifying decisions also after the confirmation of official results.

11.4. All protests concerning race results and breaking the Rules etc. must be brought up to Jury as follows:

• Concerning the first 100 finishers during 1 hour after first 100 participants have finished.
• Concerning all the others, up to closing time of the finish.
• The cost of a protest is 40 €, which will be refunded only when the protest has been met.
• Information requests regarding unofficial results can be brought up until the following Wednesday after the race by 17:00 to the office of Club Tartu Maraton by e-mail tartumaraton@tartumaraton.ee.

11.5. All protests concerning the organization will be solved by the Jury: 1. FIS Technical Delegate (chairman), 2. Estonian Ski Association Technical Delegate, 3. Race Director.

12.1. The awards ceremony of the CT race takes place in the finish area according to race programme.

At the prize-giving ceremony will be awarded (February 15th):

• 6 first men and 6 women of the 63 km CT distance.
• 3 boys and 3 girls (W/M15) of the 31 km CT distance.
• Winners will be awarded with cups and special awards.
• The age group winners of 63 km CT will be awarded cups.
• Sprint winners will be awarded cash prizes or special awards.
• No awarding for 31 km FT (February 14th).
• In team ranking top 3 teams are awarded with cups and free entries to the next event of the Tartu Maraton Klassik. The cups are handed over in the Club Tartu Maraton in the next week after the event. Information about free entries will be sent directly to the e-mail of representative of the team.
• Cash prizes will be transferred to the winners` bank accounts after the official result lists have been validated and the results of any doping tests have been received. The income tax (22% of the award sum) is withheld from all the cash awards, in accordance with the Estonian legislation.
• An athlete who is not present at the official award ceremony loses one’s right to the award.

13.1. If the event is cancelled due to force majeure the participation fees shall be refunded in accordance with the current regulations and rights of the organizer which state that the organizer may deduce the sum used for arrangements already made.

13.2. In case of cancelling Tartu Maraton due to lack of snow or another force majeure with an announcement of the cancellation 72 hours beforehand, 50% of participation fees will be transferred to participants’ self-service accounts as credit which can be used for the entry fee next payment in the Klassik series. The credit is valid until the end of the 1st registration period of the next Tartu Maraton.

13.2.1. If the participant does not wish to use the transfer possibilities mentioned under p.13.2. and wishes to be refunded 50% of the participation fee, he/she is obliged to present Club Tartu Maraton with a proper application in 1 month after the cancelled event’s date. This must be done by post (Laulupeo pst. 25, 51007 Tartu) or by e-mail (tartumaraton@tartumaraton.ee).

13.2.2. All private persons whose 50% of participation fees will be transferred to their self-service accounts are obliged to register to the event of their choice and pay the rest of the participation fee by the end of the 1st registration period of the next Tartu Maraton. After the named date no more payments or complaints will be accepted or satisfied.

13.2.3. Participation fees paid by legal entities (enterprises, clubs, etc.) are only to be transferred to next events in the Tartu Maraton Klassik series. This means that they cannot be refunded. People who were registered to Tartu Maraton by a given enterprise will not be automatically transferred. The 50% of fees paid will be transferred to the user account of the representative of the given legal entity. The representative of the enterprise is obliged to renew the registration list (make a new group registration to the event of their choice) and use the credit within 1 year. After one year it is no longer possible to use the credit and no later complaints will be satisfied.

13.3. Force majeure is any unpredictable event that the organizer has no control over. The organizer cannot change its time or way of occurrence, control it, or stop it from happening (e.g., war, rebellion, strike, fire, flood, earthquake, (snow)storm, insufficient snow, downpour or any other act of nature, pandemic, or other state restrictions etc.)

13.4. If the event is cancelled due to a force majeure no expenditures made to third parties by the participants are to be compensated by the organizers of Tartu Maraton. We advise participants from abroad to purchase a travel insurance that would cover the expenses caused by the cancellation of the event.

13.5. If the event is cancelled due to lack of snow, a walking hike will be organized. Participation in the hike will not count as a participation in Tartu Maraton. Participants registered to the cancelled event (in addition to the 50% transfer or refund) have the right to re-register to either the virtual race or the hike without additional charge.

13.6. If the parties cannot find an agreement the discords shall be solved in accordance with the Estonian laws in the Tartu County court.