Instruction

The 94^nd Great Race around Lake Viljandi– 1 May 2023

 1. The Great Race around Lake Viljandi is the oldest traditional running event in Estonia, which first took place in year 1928.

2. The 93^nd Great Race is organized by the City of Viljandi.

3. The race shall be organized in accordance with this manual.

4. The race will take place on 1 May 2022. It starts at 12:00 at Viljandi Town Stadium.

(In case of any restrictions the run will take place on 9th July 2022!)

5. The start and the finish of the race will take place at Viljandi Town Stadium.

The choice of running trail is free, there are 2 mandatory checkpoints at both ends of Lake Viljandi: First checkpoint is on the bridge of Orika hiking trail (4.8 km) and the second checkpoint is on the bridge of Viiratsi hiking trail (10.2 km). Checkpoints are mandatory for all participants!

To ensure the safety of the runners, all participants will be directed to the recreational trail around the lake about 400 m before the first checkpoint.

The race has one intermediate finish on the ORIKA BRIDGE (4.8 km).

6. The trail of the race runs mainly on gravel and forest roads and partly on tarmac roads. Roads are open to traffic. For safety reasons, participants must comply with the traffic rules, follow road signs, and traffic wardens' signals. NB! The path is not passable by wheelchair!

7. Running The Great Race around Lake Viljandi is at your own risk. All running enthusiasts who are born on or prior to 2009 and enough trained to pass this distance are welcome to participate.

NB! As an exception, younger participants (born 2009-2010) are allowed to participate under the responsibility of the parent, please send an e-mail to suurjooks@viljandi.ee Add the information necessary for registration and the name of the person responsible. The organizers will register the participant and you will be invoiced for the payment.

8. Age groups:

Women: N14 (2008-2009); N16 (2006-2007); N18 (2004-2005); N21 (1988-2003); N35 (1983-87); N40 (1978-1982); N45 (1973-77); N50 (1968-72); N55 (1963-67); N60 (1958-1962); N65 (1953-57); N70 (born 1952 and earlier).

Men: M14 (2008-2009); M16 (2006-2007); M18 (2004-2005); M21 (1988-2003); M35 (1983-87); M40 (1978-1982); M45 (1973-77); M50 (1968-72); M55 (1963-67); M60 (1958-1962); M65 (1953-57); M70 (1948-52); M75 (1943-47); M80 (born 1942 and earlier).

9. Start groups:        

When forming start groups, places achieved during the Great Race around Viljandi Lake in 2021 and then 2020will be taken into account upon registration until 14.04.2022, but the same start number or place in the respective start group will not be guaranteed. Subsequent registrants will receive a place in the start group on the basis of current registration. Participants who would like to cross the track using walking poles will start after the runners from the start corridor!

The elite group includes the Great Race around Viljandi Lake 2022 1.-100. top runners who have won the place and have been invited by the organizer.

You have to start from the start corridor corresponding to your number. The organizers reserve the right to make changes in the start groups!

You can re-register until the end of the III round (14.04.2022). To re-register, please contact the organisers by e-mail: suurjooks@viljandi.ee You can not re-register after that date.

10. Start package will be issued on working days in Viljandi Sports Hall on 26.-29.04.2022 from 10.00 to19.00.

In the Race Center start packages will be distributed on 30.04.2022 from 13:30 to 18:00 and on 01.05.2022 from 9:00 to 11:45

IF POSSIBLE, THE ORGANIZERS WOULD LIKE YOU TO TAKE OUT THE START PACKAGE IN ADVANCE IN VILJANDI SPORTS HALL!!!

The Race Center is located at the parking lot of Viljandi Stadium on Aasa Street.

11.Timing is done with an electronic timing chip. Detailed information about the timing is also published in the participant's newsletter. The participant is responsible for the chip for the duration of the race together with the start package. If the chip is not used, the participant will be left without an intermediate and end time in the final protocol.

12. Preliminary unofficial results will be published on an ongoing basis on the race website www.viljandijarvejooks.ee The final protocol will be approved and published on the race website when the results of both starts are combined, and also on the official timer’s website www.championchip.ee

13. The award ceremony will take place at the finish at 14:00. The 6 fastest women and men of the race and will be awarded as will the winners of the age groups and the fastest runners from Viljandi.

DIPLOMA PRINTING WILL NOT TAKE PLACE AT THE STADIUM AFTER THE RACE. YOU CAN PRINT THE DIPLOMA AFTER THE RESULTS HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED FROM 04.05.2022 ON THE GREAT RACE’S WEBSITE!

14. Medical care shall be organized by the Management Committee in accordance with the established scheme. At the start and finish points, assistance is provided by qualified medical personnel and an ambulance is on standby. When noticing someone in distress on the course, participants are asked to notify the medical staff on the trail or call the emergency number 112.

15. Possibility to wash after the run in Viljandi Sports Hall, Vaksali 4 (women) and Viljandi city sauna, Kaalu 6 (men).

15. Complaints regarding violations of competition rules, etc. must be submitted to the jury. It can be done about first 100 finishers within 1 hour after the 100th contestant has finished, and everyone else until the finish has closed. The protest fee (except for the results) is 50 EUR, which will be refunded only if the protests are satisfied. All the written protests related to the competition will be resolved by the jury.

16. Lost and found items can be brought to the secretariat at the finish. Lost and found items can be picked up from the Race Center and later from Viljandi Sports Hall within 1 month.

17. All protests related to the race will be settled by the competition jury, which includes: the head of the organizing team, the head of the secretariat, and the head timer.

18. Cases not covered by the Instructions shall be resolved on an ongoing basis by the Management Committee.

19. By registering and paying the race fee, the participant agrees to the terms and conditions in this guide and confirms that he or she has read the guide, and is adequately trained and able to participate in the 93^nd Great Race around Lake Viljandi.

Due to the current restrictions there might be changes in the organization!