INWA Nordic Walking
World Championships 2024
13.-15.9.2024 LAHTI FINLAND
Suomeksi
The International Nordic Walking Federation INWA and Finlandia-hiihto are jointly organizing the Nordic Walking World Championships on September 13-15, 2024 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.
Preliminary program and schedule
13.9.2024
16:00 Opening ceremony
18:00 5 km
20:00 Prize ceremony
14.9.2024
10:00 10 km
13:00 21 km
18:00 Prize ceremony
15.9.2024
4 x 5 km relay, Finlandia Fun Nordic Walking event and Closing ceremony
10:00 4 x 5 km relay
13:00 5 km Finlandia Fun Nordic Walking event
14:00 Prize ceremony
15:00 Closing ceremony
Price list
Time period |
5 KM |
10 KM |
21 KM |
4x5 KM relay |
Finlandia Fun* |
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until 31.5.2024 | 40 € | 50 € | 60 € | 100 € (4x team) | 20 € |
1.6-31.8.2024 | 50 € | 60 € | 70 € | 120 € | 25 € |
1-13.9.2024 | 60 € | 70 € | 80 € | 140 € | 30 € |
Save on participation fees and register in advance. The cheapest participation fees are before 31 May 2024.
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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 for race series include bib package, gear sack, provisions and/or drinks at the service stations and after the race, sauna after the race, medal for everyone, awards and prizes for the winners, first aid, transportation to the finishing area for the participants whom withdraw from the race, basic group insurance.
Entry fee for hobby nordic-walking includes medal for everyone, provisions and/or drinks at the service stations and first aid services. Participants must have their own insurance in case of possible accidents. -
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.
Trail and Profile
Starting area at Lahti Sports Center
Trail lenght 5,2 km
Total climbs 70 meters
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.
Age categories, 2024.
MEN AGE GROUP | WOMEN AGE GROUP | AGE | YEAR OF BIRTH |
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M Junior | W Junior | 18 - 19 | 2005 - 2006 |
M Senior | W Senior | 20 - 34 | 1990 -2004 |
M35 | W35 | 35 - 39 | 1985 - 1989 |
M40 | W40 | 40 - 44 | 1980 - 1984 |
M45 | W45 | 45 - 49 | 1975 - 1979 |
M50 | W50 | 50 - 54 | 1970 - 1974 |
M55 | W55 | 55 - 59 | 1965 - 1969 |
M60 | W60 | 60 - 64 | 1960 - 1964 |
M65 | W65 | 65 - 69 | 1955 - 1959 |
M70 | W70 | 70 + | < 1954 |
Note: You belong to M 45 even if you are 44 years old and your birth date is 31.12.1979.
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 colleges
You can conveniently find all accommodation options in the Lahti region from Visit Lahti -website.
Contact Visit Lahti: sales@lahtiregion.fi or +358 207 281 760
Book your accommodation well in advance!