Helsinki City Run

Helsinki City Running Day is Finland’s premier one-day running festival, drawing 20,000 athletes from over 80 countries. Held each May, the event offers a rare mix of race options—5K, half-marathon, marathon, and the demanding “double” (a marathon followed immediately by a half-marathon). The fast, flat course runs through Helsinki’s city streets and green spaces, ending with a lap inside the 1952 Olympic Stadium, an iconic finish few races can match. Crowd support is exceptional: residents line the course with speakers, street parties, and live music ranging from jazz bands to full orchestras. Race-day conditions are typically cool and crisp, ideal for distance running. Post-finish, runners are awarded a medal that also serves as a ticket to the official after-party. The event is organized by the Finnish Athletics Federation, proceeds support athletics programs for children and adults, making this event both a competitive challenge and a contribution to the running community.