TALIHARJA VANAKURI is a 101 km long winter endurance race on foot, skis or bike, which takes participants on a long journey through sparsely populated wilderness, where each participant is responsible for their own survival.
The 2026 race will take place on January 10-11 in Southern Estonia from Põlva County to Elva in Tartu County!
The course passes through several special and remarkable natural landscapes and cultural objects, and completing it gives a genuine and direct insight into the bright and dark corners of your own and Estonia’s soul. In addition to the 101 km main race, it is possible to participate in the shorter approximately 54 km “Pehmo” (friendly slang: Soft) race or extend the race by approximately 25 km with the “Sõge Sõõr” (Friendly slang: Looney loop)
P.S. if there is misleading data (like, someone quit and came to finish by car, but crossed finish line and got result) please inform helen@seiklusteselts.ee
GPS tracking:: 101km & 54km “pehmo”
PHOTOS:
Finish line photos.
Main gallery from Aldis Toome
FB & Instagram video files, some photos & clips here.
Official photorapher Aldis Toome gallery in FB and 330 photos bigger also in Flickr.
Hobby photographer #Küllo Linnupuu gallery 1 ja gallery 2 (when using give credit to #KülloLinnupuu
Joonas Sisask photos
Taliharja Vanakuri 2026 will take place on January 10-11 in Southern Estonia. Race center and finish is at Tartumaa Tervisespordikeskuses near Elva town. This place is also famous as Worldloppet Tartu Marathon ski race finish.
Friday 9. january 2026
– 19.00-22.00 race office open
Saturday 10. january 2026
– 8.00 race office open
– 9.40 busses leave Elva to 101km start
– 11.00 101km start in Põlva county
– 11.30 51km start busses leave Elva to “Pehmo” start
– ca12.20 “Pehmo” 54km start
– 21.00 Midcamp is closed
Sunday 11. january 2026
– 03.00 73km aid station is closed
Finish services closed Sunday 11. january, 2026 at 11:00.
Participants are also allowed to come to the start with their own transportation (friends/family can provide a ride). There is no organized transportation back to the start location after the finish.
Race bib, GPS tracker, maps and other materials can be collected friday evening 19.00-22.00 or saturday morning from 8.00 before boarding busses in race center/finish at Tartumaa Tervisespordikeskus near Elva town. If you will come to start by own transport (somebody drops you off) you can collect the materials also in starts, but they will arrive with start busses. There will be no facilities or race office in start area, it’s just a place in woods, so don’t be alarmed if you arrive early and find nothing there!
The main course is approximately 101km long and runs along snowy/icy/slushy/muddy forest trails and village roads. The course partially follows marked hiking trails, but makes significant deviations from them. For moral support, hikers may have some special Taliharja direction signs or reflectors at the most important turning points, but they are few – basically race course is not marked. Participants must stay on the predetermined course themselves, using electronic aids or a map for navigation. Cutting the course is not allowed. Participants are required to carry a personal GPS device to ensure they stay on the course.
Dependent on weather conditions pre race and during race the course can be either very easy or extremely technical and difficult to traverse. There have been years with no snow and years with 50cm of snow. In some sections the couse can have, for example, abundant storm dropped trees, large muddy ruts, forestry clearings, watery swamps, complete lack of trail, brush, etc.
The course can be traversed on foot or skis. Bicycle course is slightly different due to nature conservation rules. Ski trail has not been prepared, nor have the bike trails been cleaned. It is what it is by nature at that time! When traveling on roads with open traffic, traffic regulations must be followed.
There is one large drinking and eating point on the trail – Midcamp, and it is located approximately 53km from the start. In addition to Midcamp, there are two points where hot drinks are offered approximately 25 and 73km from the start. In 73km point there are also snakcs.
The sun sets around 4pm, and the light disappears before 5am, so depending on the participant’s speed on the course, a large part of the race must be traversed in the darkness!
All participants will receive a waterproof course map and GPX track to complete the course! The GPS track must be downloaded to a personal navigation device. Racers are also given Sportrec tracking devices for athlete tracking, but those are not navigation devices – just to follow you online.
Course .gpx track will be revealed and published on January 7th 2026!
The 101km main race has three classes – on foot, on skis or by bike. Men and women have also separate competition classes.
The 54km “pehmo” race distance has two classes – on foot or on skis. Men and women have also separate competition classes. The “soft” course means that only about half of the main course has to be completed. All conditions for participation are the same as on the main course
Sõge Sõõr the “Looney loop”. People who find that 101km is not enough for them when approaching the finish line or who want to get more ITRA points (on foot) have the opportunity to go on an additional approximately 25km varied terrain loop with the subtitle SõGE SÕÕR (the “Looney loop”) after finishing the Taliharja Vanakuri 101km main course. All conditions for movement are the same as on the main course. Sõge Sõõr finishers will have result in the Sõge Sõõr finisher’s report in addition to the Taliharja Vanakuri main 101km course finisher’s report. Only one of the distances (101km or 125km) will be included in the ITRA points calculation at the runner’s choice. If there are less than 3 persons doing the extra lap, ITRA points will not be given.
The time limit for completing the course is 24 hours.
The time limit for leaving the midcamp on the main course is 10 hours from the start of main race – at 21.00 Saturday.
The time limit for leaving 73km aid station is 16 hours from the start of main race – at 03.00 Sunday.
Each participant in this event must be a responsible individual and understand the challenges and dangers of racing in the wilderness in winter. Participants participate at their own risk and must be sufficiently equipped to cope with any situation they encounter on the course on their own. This race is potentially life-threatening and anyone wishing to participate must seriously consider all the risks (getting lost, freezing) and physical and mental challenges that a winter and mostly night ultramarathon entails. In previous years, some participants have had the misconception that this is a normal running and cycling race. It is not. It is a natural adventure. The course is just as it is at that moment, shaped by natural conditions. The course can be under thick snow and in wet conditions the river can overflows its banks and that is simply how it is. In other words, the course can be very easy in normal conditions, but frighteningly difficult in extreme weather conditions. If this does not seem like a normal and solvable challenge, then Taliharja Vanakuri is not for you.
– The minimum age of the participant is 18 years. Younger participants are also allowed to participate on the Pehmo course with a responsible adult.
– The limit of participants is 400 people for all distances in total.
– The mode of movement is freely selectable (on foot, on skis or by bike), but the modes of travel cannot be combined (the chosen means of transport must be carried from the start to the finish). The organizer does not guarantee trail maintenance (the roads are not cleared, the ski tracks must be pushed in yourself).
– NB! Participants must have previous demonstrable experience in endurance sports (mountain marathon, ultra running, adventure sports, rogain, long hikes, military, etc.). The main organizer reserves the right not to accept applications from those wishing to participate without sufficient experience.
Participation fees are same for all classes and distances.
- 60 eur until 30.09.2025
- 65 eur 01.10.2025-31.10.2025
- 70 eur 01.11.2025-30.11.2025
- 75 eur 01.12.2025-31.12.2025
- 85 eur 01.01.2026-05.01.2026
REGISTRATION CLOSES 05.01.2026!
RACE FEE INCLUDES
- bus transport from finish to start
- waterproof race map
- bib number
- personal GPS tracker from Sportrecilt (not a navigation device, but to follow your progress online)
- food in midcamp and finish and service in other aid stations
- washing an sauna in finish
- finisher medal made up of collected medallions
- keeping of luggage during race, racer bag transport from start to finish.
- participants have option to sleep on floor after finish with own sleep gear.
- free photos of the race
- participant discounts at sponsor shops
DROPPING OUT & REIMBURSEMENT
If a registered and paid participant withdraws from participation until 26.12.2025, half of the participation fee will be refunded.
If a registered and paid participant withdraws from participation for any reason from 27.12.2025, the participation fee will not be refunded.
Until 05.01.2025, it is possible to transfer your participation right to another person who meets the participation conditions.
Race may be canceled or shortened by the organizer before the start due to extreme weather conditions (Force majeure), if they make the route too dangerous. In such a case, the participation fee will be refunded to the registrants in proportion to the service not received. If the race is canceled after the start due to the above circumstances, the participation fee will not be refunded.
Registration for 2026 race is closed!
Registration procedure:
1) Read the rules,
2) Fill the form,
3) wait for confirmation,
4) pay the fee,
5) start training and worrying,
6) enjoy the suffering!
Accommodation is available at the competition center. A total of approximately 30 beds are available in double and triple rooms. In addition, one six-person cabin. In addition, paid floor accommodation is available for Friday night to Saturday. On the competition night, floor accommodation is included in the participation fee.
Accommodation reservations: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rod6_2K3hTrYoR0lk0NxaxXGy32G5YS_GfMrCNIO8rE/edit?usp=sharing
ACCOMMODATION CAN BE BOOKED AND PAID PER ROOM! TO BOOK A ROOM, MARK YOUR NAME ON THE BED PLACE (NB! DIFFERENT NIGHTS ON DIFFERENT SHEETS!).
A 100% ADVANCE PAYMENT MUST BE MADE TO CONFIRM THE BOOKING. RECEIVER: Seikluste Selts IBAN: EE187700771011382499 (LHV) Explanation: Taliharja accommodation, dates, room number, name. If you have questions email talharjavanakuri@gmail.com
Accommodation is also possible in Elva, Tartu and Otepää area accommodations at the participant’s own choice and expense, just check booking.com & airbnb.com
Each participant must carry the mandatory equipment with them throughout the rae, except for food that will be consumed enroute. If participant does not have mandatory equipment to present before the start, the participant will not be allowed to start the race. A participant who finishes without mandatory equipment will be disqualified. Participants must be ready to present the mandatory equipment to race official at any time.
LIST OF MANDATORY EQUIPMENT:
1- Sleeping bag or bivy bag min. 250gr or insulated jacket (down/synthetic insulation puffy jacket).
2- Sleeping mat the full length of the participant (foam mat roll or inflatable or if you are a minimalist – bubble wrap).
3- Silver foil emergency blanket
4 – Fire starting device for emergency warmth (matches, lighter).
The above equipment is used to isolate a person from the cold in an emergency. In an emergency, if you remain static, your body will cool down quickly, while it may take hours for help to arrive. This is why you need to be prepared for the worst possible situation and survive in a harsh environment.
5- Headlamp with sufficient spare batteries.
6- Red flashing light with spare battery.
7- Reflective material on the front and back of your clothing.
8- Whistle.
9 – Warmly wrapped phone + power bank, turned on
The above equipment is necessary to be visible on open roads with traffic and to be found in an emergency.
10 – Drink bottles/bladder min 1.5l
11 – Food min 1500 kilocalories (750kcal on a soft course)
12 – GPS navigation device with a saved track. A dedicated handheld GPS or a GPS watch with a track-following function is preferred. Smartphone + power bank accepted, but not recommended, as it may be useless in rain or sub-zero temperatures.
13 – GPS tracker and trail map provided by the organizer
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT – free choice to carry/wear.
1- Waterproof socks/shoe covers (there may be flooded areas on the trail even in sub-zero temperatures and snow).
2- Good-fitting shoes, suitable for temperatures from 0ºC to -30ºC
3- Spare warm underwear.
4- Set of waterproof/windproof outerwear – jacket and pants (Goretex or similar).
5- Spare gloves (recommended over gloves).
6- Equipment to protect the hydration system from freezing.
7- Tape, antischaffe to solve and prevent blister problems.
REFLECTOR and LIGHTS
All participants must be visible from the front and rear with reflectors. When traveling on roads, a light must be on in front and a red flashing light behind. When sleeping on the course a red flashing light must be on and visible from the course.
BIB NUMBER
The participant’s BIB number is mandatory. On bicycles, it must be attached to the handlebars in front, and on foot and skis, it must be visible in front or behind.
Results will be live here.
GPS tracking can be followed here: 101km & 54km “pehmo”
Timing is done with a timing chip and is duplicated with a Sportrec GPS tracking device. The GPS device records the passage of checkpoints within a 5m radius of the checkpoint sign (medallion points, support points, central camp).
NO ASSISTANCE ON THE COURSE IS ALLOWED! Taliharja Vanakuri is a human-powered race in which participants must manage from the start to the finish on their own. Any extra assistance to progress on the trail from a support team, motor vehicle, animals, etc. is prohibited. If it turns out that the participant used extra assistance, their result will be disqualified. By agreement with the organizer, it is allowed to use an electric bicycle, etc., but users of such aids will not participate in the race “officially” and will not be awarded.
EVACUATION FROM THE COURSE IN THE EVENT OF DROPPING OUT IS AT THE PARTICIPANT’S EXPENSE. If it is not an acute medical problem or an accident, the cost of transporting the dropping out person to the finish by car is 25 euros (Seikluste Selts MTÜ, LHV Pank, EE187700771011382499) and this is only possible from a place accessible by car. There are sections of the course many kilometers long that are not accessible by vehicle, so for evacuation you must go to the evacuation point marked on the map. All participants who leave the course before reaching the finish line must notify the organizer.
Rescue from the course in the event of an accident or serious health problem is carried out by first calling 112 and then the organizer, who can provide support to the rescue services to rescue the participant.
TIME LIMITS AND CONSEQUENCES OF NOT MAKING THEM
The cut-off time for leaving the central camp is 10 hours from the start of the main course, i.e. at 21:00
The check time for leaving the 73km aid-station is 16 hours from the start of the main course, i.e. on Sunday at 03:00.
Competitors who do not make time limit are considered “Did Not Finish”. Transportation to the finish line by the organizer for those who do not reach the time limit is subject to a fee (25eur). The amount is payable directly to the transport service provider.
LEAVING GARBAGE AND EQUIPMENT IS PROHIBITED! Do not leave any traces of yourself other than foot/bicycle tracks. Everything you take with you from the start must be carried to the finish line. Garbage can be thrown away at the aid stations. To satisfy your physiological needs on the course, step off the course and return to it from the same place.
CUTTING IS NOT ALLOWED! Participants must follow the official track – according to the map or .gpx. Sometimes anomalies can occur on the GPX track, e.g. the track runs illogically next to a natural track in the forest or makes a zigzag turn on a straight track. Such obvious inconsistencies do not need to be taken into account and you can still move on the logical track. If the track goes through a drinking point or medallion point, the participant must go there (within 5m of the cp sign). Last year, a situation occurred where a group of cyclists drove past a drinking point and failed to make a 100m round trip to the farmyard. Please do not do this – it is unfair to others and inconvenient for the organizer – how should such a situation be resolved? With fines! Therefore, the rule applies: In case of conscious and purposeful cutting of the track, the result will be disqualified. In case of unintentional cutting of the course due to a mistake (the referee decides, no appeal is possible), 15 minutes will be added to the participant’s time for each starting km that the cutter did not complete. (100m of cutting – 15 minutes penalty, 1650m of cutting – 30 minutes penalty).
SKIPPING CHECKPOINTS (Medallion point, aid station) means disqualification if the race judge does not decide differently.
All finishers will receive a participant medal made up of medallions collected in checkpoints of the course along the way and a diploma upon completing the course. The medallion is a 45mm diameter disc with an engraving. There are a total of 4 checkpoints on the course (2 on the soft course) + a “Sõge Sõõr” checkpoint. The medallions collected from the checkpoints will form a commemorative medal for the participants. All competitors will receive a carabiner to collect and safely carry the medallions. Lost medallions cannot be replaced! In the event of drop out, the competitor will keep the medallions they reached on the course, the same applies to the “pehmo” course.
The top three in the competition classes will be awarded with material prizes from sponsors. If there are fewer than ten participants in the competition class, only the winner will be awarded.
E-mail: taliharjavanakuri@gmail.com
Main organizer & course designer: Silver Eensaar, phone +372 5246894
Bank details:
Company: Seikluste Selts
Company address: Kose mnt 14-12, Kehra, Anija, Estonia
Bank: LHV
Bank address: Tartu mnt 2, 10145 Tallinn, Estonia
IBAN: EE187700771011382499 (LHV)
Swift/BIC: LHVBEE22
Moments from previous Taliharja races:
