Tallin, Estland 12.-14.09.2025
Source: https://www.jooks.ee/en/tallinn-marathon/ and https://www.instagram.com/tallinnamaraton/ ; https://www.facebook.com/tallinnmarathon
The Tallinn Marathon is an annual road marathon held in Tallinn, Estonia, and is considered the country’s largest annual running event. Its history shows a remarkable evolution from a small local event to an internationally recognized race.
Early Years and Establishment:
- 1989: The first Tallinn Marathon took place with just a few hundred participants.
- 1991: The event became a member of the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), signaling its growing importance.
- 2007: The marathon relocated to the Tallinn city center, making it more accessible and showcasing the city’s historic and beautiful scenery.
Growth and Expansion:
- 2010: The event was rebranded as the “SEB Tallinn City Run and international SEB Tallinn Marathon” and saw a significant increase in participation, with over 1,000 runners completing the marathon distance for the first time. The program also expanded to include a marathon, half-marathon, and 10k race.
- 2013: The event achieved a major milestone by breaking the 20,000 finisher mark across all distances.
- 2014: A 5k distance, known as the “We Run Tallinn,” was added to the program, further increasing participation and making the event more inclusive.
- 2016: The Tallinn Marathon became a three-day event, including various races and activities.
Recent Developments and Recognition:
- 2017: A new course record was set in the men’s marathon with a time of 2:09:22, a testament to the race’s growing reputation and fast course.
- 2020: The in-person race was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but a virtual run was offered to participants.
- Recent years: The Tallinn Marathon and its half-marathon are now categorized as “Elite Label Road Races” by World Athletics, recognizing their high standard of organization, competition, and participant experience.
Today, the Tallinn Marathon is a major international sporting event that attracts both professional and amateur runners from around the world. Its course takes participants through the historic UNESCO-listed Old Town, along the coast, and through various districts of the city, offering a scenic and unique running experience.
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