Solvalla Trail 18 km

Solvalla Trail 18 km

The 18 km runs the marked loop twice. Each lap leaves the sports field into Nuuksio National Park, where the organiser warns of narrow paths, height differences, and ground that can be slippery and wet; the route map shows it about four fifths unpaved and passing the Maahisenkierros viewpoint. Halfway through, runners come back across the finish line, where the intermediate time is taken, and go out for the second lap.

The only aid station on the loop is at about 6.5 km, with water and sports drink, and the organiser suggests bringing your own cup. At the finish there is water, sports drink, bananas and light snacks. The course is marked with marker sticks, arrows and tape. The maximum time is four hours and the finish closes at 16:00. The 9 km field starts half an hour later, at 12:30, on the same loop, and the top three women and men on each distance are awarded.

For the family at the field, the 18 km offers three sightings: the start, the turn to the second lap, and the finish. Between them is forest. With the runner’s own Livebib link, opened in a browser without an account or app, they see the position on the course line, the distance covered and a finish estimate that updates as the race goes, marked as an estimate. Where the phone loses signal on the trail, the position is carried forward along the loop and marked estimated instead of freezing.