Suomeksi
The International Nordic Walking Federation INWA and Finlandia-hiihto are jointly organizing the Nordic Walking World Championships on September 11-13, 2026 in Lahti. Lahti is one of the most famous Nordic winter sports competition centers in the world.INWA is the world's largest Nordic Walking Federation with member organizations from 20 countries and activities in more than 30 countries. INWA has started race activities already in 2017. Finlandia-hiihto operates in Lahti and has organized the legendary Finlandia-hiihto mass ski event for more than 50 years since 1974. In recent years, the Finlandia-hiihto event has reached approx. 4 – 5,000 participants annually. Every year, participants in Finlandia-hiihto represent around 30 different nationalities.Program and schedule
Friday 11.9.2026
11:00-15:00 Restaurant Ravintola Voitto, Lunch
16:00 Opening ceremony
18:00 5 km
20:00 Prize ceremony
Saturday 12.9.2026
9:00-17:00 Restaurant Ravintola Voitto, Café
10:00 10 km
11:00-14:00 Restaurant Ravintola Voitto, Lunch
13:00 20 km
18:00 Prize ceremony
19:00 Pasta Party
Sunday 13.9.2026
9:00-15:00 Restaurant Ravintola Voitto, Café
10:00 4 x 5 km relay
11:00-14:00 Restaurant Ravintola Voitto, Lunch
12:00 5 km Finlandia Fun Nordic Walking event
14:00 Prize-Giving & Closing Ceremony
Price list
Time period |
5 KM |
10 KM |
21 KM |
4x5 KM relay |
Finlandia Fun* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| until 31.5.2026 | 40 € | 50 € | 60 € | 100 € (4x team) | 20 € |
| 1.6-31.8.2026 | 50 € | 60 € | 70 € | 120 € | 25 € |
| 1-13.9.2026 | 60 € | 70 € | 80 € | 140 € | 30 € |
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The competition is open and the competitions have separate starts for men and women in different age groups. Russian and Belarusian competitors cannot be granted permission to participate in the competition series. Citizens of all countries can participate in the Finlandia Fun Nordic Walking event.
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In competitions, you must follow the correct Nordic Walking technique. There are judges along the competition track who control the Nordic Walking technique. In addition, the competition is filmed with drones. A competitor using the wrong technique will be disqualified.
Study carefully the competition rules and the correct Nordic Walking technique.
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Entry fee includes bib package, gear sack, drinks and/or energy rations at the service stations and after the race, showers and sauna after the race, medal for everyone, awards and prizes for the race series winners, first aid, transportation to the finishing area for the participants whom withdraw from the race, basic group insurance.
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We invite all the fitness and recreational Nordic Walkers to participate in the Finlandia Fun Nordic Walking event, where we will Nordic Walk along the 5 km route used in the World Championships. During the event, the timing is kept on, so those who wish, can compare their own time with the competitors' times on their own initiative.
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We accept VISA and Mastercard payments.
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In case the event is forced to be canceled for any reason that is beyond of the orgaziner’s control (ie. war, epidemic, natural disaster or by order/recommendation issued by the local authority), the organizer has the right to keep 50% of the entry fee and 50% of the entry fee will be returned to participant. If the event is organized, but the registered and paid participant cancels the participation due to personal reasons, the participation fee will not be refunded.
Guidances
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Race office is located on the ground floor of Restaurant Voitto and is open as follows:
Friday at 15:00 - 20:00 (bibs for 5 km race)
Saturday at 8:00 - 18:00 (bibs for 10 km race before 10am, after 10am bibs for 20 km)
Sunday at 8:00 - 15:00 (bibs for relay and Finlandia FUN event)
From the race office, you will receive a bib number that contains the timing chip. At bib pick up, you must present the confirmation letter that we sent or your ID. You can also authorize another person to pick up a bib number on your behalf, e.g. with a confirmation letter or power of attorney.
Lost and found is located at the race office.
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You will receive a plastic bag when you retrieve your bib. Please insert your change-over clothes into the bag and tie the bag properly. Please check that your bib number is written on your bag before giving it to the staff at the Equipment Storage in Start area. After the race please retrieve your bag from the storage by showing your bib to the staff.
For valuables (like watches, money, etc.) lockable lockers are available at sauna and shower area.
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The first aid station is located near the start and finish area, where you can get first aid and treatment for e.g. abrasions. General emergency number in Finland is 112.
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All participants who reach the finish line will be awarded with participation medals. The distribution of participation medals takes place immediately after crossing the finish line.
World Championship medals are awarded to three best in the official World Championship series 5 km, 10 km and 20 km in each age category (M/W Junior, M/W Senior, M/W35, M/W40, … , M/W70) and to the best relay team (M/W/Mixed).
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You are responsible for your own health in the event
Train and prepare well before entering the race
Get a doctor’s permission if you have just recovered from any illness
Do not risk your health if you are recovering from an injury
Consult with your physician if you suffer from diabetes, cardiovascular disease or any other symptoms that may affect your physical performance
Take all necessary medications with you
Serious cases should be reported by calling directly at 112 (emergency nr.)
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There are a limited amount of free parking slots available at Lahti Sports Center, please follow the instructions on-site. Please note that some parking slots are time-limited and also other events in the area.
In addition there are also public parking facilities for a fee such as P-Kartano and P-Toriparkki.
We also recommend using carpools and public transport.
Friday & Sunday 5 km
The race course is a 2.5 km loop, which is walked twice in the 5 km race and in Finlandia Fun event. In Relay each team member also does the same course, totaling to 4×(2×2,5km).
Saturday 10 ja 20 km
The race course is a 5 km loop, which is walked twice in the 10 km race and four times in the 20 km race.
Competition Rules
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Participants need to complete the race within the following time limits:
5 km: 1 hour
10 km: 2 hours
20 km: 4 hours
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The approved length of the pole in a race can be calculated as follows:
0.68 x athlete's height +/- 10 cm
Example: an athlete is 170 cm tall: according to the formula 170*0.68 = 115.6 so the legal length of the pole for the athlete is 106-126 cm.
Nordic Walking technique in the competitions
ARM SWING:
The arm should swing from the shoulder joint and not from the elbow. At the start of the arm movement, when the pole tip is placed on the ground, the hand should be forward of the hips. As the push with the pole continues backwards the hand should extend at least to the hip and ideally beyond.
POSITIONING OF THE POLE ON THE GROUND:
The spike tip of the pole should hit the ground in the area between the toes of the front foot and the heel of the back foot, so that the pole is always angled backwards (approx. 45 degrees to the ground).
One pole must always be on the ground, i.e. it is not allowed that both poles are held in the air at the same time.
FEET:
One foot must always be on the ground. Running is prohibited.
Age categories
The following age categories shall apply to both men and women in individual races.
There are no age categories in the relay. Relay race includes men, women and mixed relays.
| MEN | WOMEN | AGE | YEAR OF BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| M Junior | W Junior | 15 - 19 | 2007 - 2011 |
| M Senior | W Senior | 20 - 34 | 1992 - 2006 |
| M35 | W35 | 35 - 39 | 1987 - 1991 |
| M40 | W40 | 40 - 44 | 1982 - 1986 |
| M45 | W45 | 45 - 49 | 1977 - 1981 |
| M50 | W50 | 50 - 54 | 1972 - 1976 |
| M55 | W55 | 55 - 59 | 1967 - 1971 |
| M60 | W60 | 60 - 64 | 1962 - 1966 |
| M65 | W65 | 65 - 69 | 1957 - 1961 |
| M70 | W70 | 70 + | < 1956 |
Note: You belong to M 45 even if you are 44 years old and your birth date is 31.12.1981.
Travel to Lahti
Traveling to Lahti is a breeze!Lahti Travel Center (fi. Matkakeskus) connects train and bus traffic to the same place. Travel Center is located less than a kilometer from Lahti Town Square which locates in the heart of the city. Lahti Sports Center, Finski's starting area, is located just a few hundred meters from the square.If you're traveling to Finland by airplane you can take a train from Helsinki-Vantaa airport all the way to Lahti Travel Center with only a single stop between the stations!See detailed information from Visit Lahti -website.Accommodation
The area of Lahti offers several accommodation options for those participating in INWA Nordic Walking World Championships, such as city center hotels, manors, cottages, high-class villas and affortable sports collegesYou can conveniently find all accommodation options in the Lahti region from Visit Lahti -website.Contact Visit Lahti: sales@lahtiregion.fi or +358 207 281 760Book your accommodation well in advance!
