Juhend

The 95th Great Race around Lake Viljandi– 1 May 2024

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

2. The 95th 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 2024. It starts at 12:00 at Viljandi Town Stadium.

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: The first checkpoint is on the bridge  Orika hiking trail (4.8 km) and the second checkpoint is on the bridge  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 two intermediate finish: 1. -HUNTAUGU MOUNTAIN (1,7 km) and 2.- 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 and follow road signs, and traffic wardens' signals. NB! The path is not passable by a wheelchair!

7. Running The Great Race around Lake Viljandi is at your own risk. All running enthusiasts who are born on or prior to 2011 and have enough training to pass this distance are welcome to participate.

NB! As an exception, younger participants (born 2012-2013) 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 (2009-2010); N16 (2007-2008); N18 (2005-2006); N21 (1989-2004); N35 (1984-1988); N40 (1979-1983); N45 (1974-1978); N50 (1969-1973); N55 (1964-1968); N60 (1959-1963); N65 (1954-1958); N70 (born 1953 and earlier).

Men: M14 (2009-2010); M16 (2007-2008); M18 (2005-2006); M21 (1989-2004); M35 (1984-1988); M40 (1979-1983); M45 (1974-1978); M50 (1969-1973); M55 (1964-1968); M60 (1959-1963); M65 (1954-1958); M70 (1949-1953); M75 (1944-1948); M80 (born 1943 and earlier).

Women: N14 (2010-2011); N16 (2008-2009); N18 (2006-2007); N21 (1990-2005); N35 (1985-1989); N40 (1980-1984); N45 (1975-1979); N50 (1970-1974); N55 (1965-1969); N60 (1960-1964); N65 (1955-1959); N70 (1954 and earlier).

Men: M14 (2010-2011); M16 (2008-2009); M18 (2006-2007); M21 (1990-2005); M35 (1985-1989); M40 (1980-1984); M45 (1975-1979); M50 (1970-1974); M55 (1965-1969); M60 (1960-1964); M65 (1955-1959); M70 (1950-1954); M75 (1945-1949); M80 (1944 and earlier).

9. Start groups:        

When forming start groups, places achieved during the Great Race around Viljandi Lake in 2023 and then 2022 will be taken into account upon registration until 15.04.2024, 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 2023 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 IV round (15.04.2024). 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 23.-29.04.2024 from 10.00 to 19.00.

In the Race Center start packages will be distributed on 30.04.2024 from 16:00 to 19:00 and on 01.05.2024 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. Times are measured 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 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 04.05.2024 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).

16. 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.

Complaints regarding violations of competition rules, etc. must be submitted to the jury. It can be done about the 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.

17. 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.

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 95th Great Race around Lake Viljandi.