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Jubilee edition of Tartu Maraton will be held this weekend in the rolling landscapes of South Estonia. Program kicks off on Saturday with skating, relay and vintage race, specially dedicated to the 50th anniversary. Sunday is traditionally for the classic distances.

This year’s registration has been the most active in recent years, with 5133 participants on 15.02. Most popular distance is the 63 km classic race with 3250 skiers. But also the 31 skating distance, added to the program this year, has shown a great interest – 890 skiers to start there. 

There are 560 foreigners from 26 countries in the start list. The biggest numbers  come from the neighboring countries Finland and Latvia, but also good representations from Poland and Germany. 

As of today, there are 152 Worldloppet masters coming to the start. Reception for them will be held on Saturday in a downtown caffee in Tartu. A festive gathering to share the ski around the world experiences, where also new masters will be awarded.

The whole race weekend includes 4 Worldloppet stamps – three 31 km races give a silver stamp and the 63 km distance a gold stamp. There is also a benefit for Worldloppet passport holders in Tartu – they get ski waxing for free. 

“Track  conditions are snowy. On the first 46 kilometers from Otepää to Palu there is a plenty of snow. The last section from Palu to Elva is also in good condition, just icier in some spots,” says the course master Assar Kütt. He adds that the weather of the last few days has been hectic, and the forecast for the upcoming weekend shows the same. “Temperatures will change a few degrees above and below zero and will also indicate precipitation. We are ready to groom  according to the weather conditions,” he adds.