Paavo Nurmi Marathon

Paavo Nurmi Marathon

Back in the Summer of ’69, Dr. T Rosandich ran an intensive athletic training camp in the Upson area of Iron County Wisconsin. That summer he gathered around 70 athletes and charted a course that took them 26 miles, 385 yards north to Hurley and famous Silver Street.

Little did Rosandich know that the marathon he began would grow to become Wisconsin’s longest running marathon and, in the process, precede and outlive a running mania that spawned a host of marathons in a host of communities throughout the nation.

Over the years, race organizers have been faced with a variety of decisions regarding the event. Each time the number one consideration has ALWAYS been the safety of participants, volunteers, Law Enforcement and EMS workers along the course.

As we finalized the 2019 event and began preparing for 2020, little did we know that we would once again face a challenge in preparing for our beloved Paavo. Much like the days following the Boston Marathon bombing, I started researching in March how the Covid-19 virus would impact events like ours. And just like every other event planner, the “what ifs” and “how can we do this” changed on a daily basis. Late in March our planning committee met via phone to begin discussion on what we could do.

After meeting with our timing company owner, Gary Leinon from Tortoise & Hare timing it was determined to move the Paavo Nurmi Marathon, Half Marathon & Relays to a virtual platform for the 2020 event.

Virtual events have replaced many of the popular running events all across the nation and notably here in Wisconsin with the Green Bay Cell Com. In order to keep the Paavo Nurmi Marathon spirit alive, we will host the event online. Runners who wish to participate in the 2020 Paavo Nurmi Marathon will register online for $10. Once you have completed the distance you signed up for ( Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 2-Person Relay or 5-Person Relay) you will receive a unique Paavo Nurmi Marathon keychain, created locally at Highline Corporation and a 10% discount for the 2021 event. Proceeds from this year’s event will go to costs associated with certifying the course for 2021.

Choose your route, choose your day to run. One of the advantages to a virtual event is runners can map their own route. No travel necessary. With the Virtual Paavo, runners will be able to complete their run between Friday, August 7, 2020 and Sunday, August 9, 2020. All distances must be completed in full for the time to be recorded. Simply put, if a runner chooses a Full Marathon it must be completed all at once, no running half on Friday and half on Sunday.

For those runners who enjoy the 5 person relay, all 5 runners can run at the same time on the same course. Well, one participant will need to complete 6.2 to submit. Or chose your teammates from all over and create a unique experience for all.

The virtual event is providing race organizers an opportunity to reflect on 2019 and look forward to 2021 with excitement. Building on what has been established as the Paavo Nurmi Marathon for the last 52 years, the new course from 2019 will be certified as a Boston Qualifier. New aid stations will be in place for the 2021 event. Additional events including a bike as well as kayak event are being explored.

We cannot take away the loss of the 2020 Paavo but we can continue to participate as runners by running where we are, supporting the events we love and vowing to return to events in 2021 with appreciation, excitement and SISU!

Each racer will receive this year's race schwag consisting of a keychain and 10% off 2021 registration.