Every runner is responsible for his/her own insurance cover. The participation fee also covers transport from Hotel Kiannon Kuohut to the starting lines, a memory medal, “field meal” and spa admission. The filmmakers father was one of the Finnish soldiers. In the battle died over 25000 Ukrainian and Russian young men and boys. The Suomussalmen Rasti athletic association, the municipality of Suomussalmi and Kainuun Liikunta ry are jointly organising the marathon. A short essay film, about the bloody battle of Suomussalmi, where the outnumbered and poorly equipped Finnish forces, contained and destroyed two Soviet motorized divisions, on the Raate Road. The length of the route has been officially verified. The route of the marathon passes through many wartime battlegrounds and war memorial sites. The marathon is being arranged to honour the veterans who fought in the battles along the Raate road and Suomussalmi village to defend Finland’s independence. Visitors can tour the exhibition on their own or hire a guide. The exhibition also features a scale model of Raate Road and a road plough which was used to clean up Raate Road after the Winter War. This is the only destroyed tank at the museum, but there's an intact T-26 inside the museum. The revamped outdoor exhibition area features heavy war-time materiel, including a Soviet tank involved in the Battle of Raate Road. But I wouldn't be surprised if most holes are from target practise. The Finnish forces encircled and destroyed a large amount of tanks, trucks, infantry etc. There is no entry fee in kids´mile and each participant will get the participation medal. Some of it is definitely combat damage, as this museum is for the Battle of Raate Road.

There will be also a category for under 16 years old runners.Īs a new event, the kids are free to run in Raate Marathon! The distance is little bit shorter as for them, it is one mile and start will be located near the competition centre. It starts in Suomussalmi village at 13.15. Therefore it is possible to run 10 km from Suomussalmi historical village to the town center. The half-marathon starts at 12:30 and follows the same route as the marathon. It starts at the Portin Majatalo inn and ends in the town centre of Suomussalmi.

The runners will take off at the Raate frontier zone boom at 11.00.Ī half-marathon will take place on the same day.

The fifth Raate marathon takes place on, with participants running from the Raate road, scene of one of the Winter War’s most legendary battles, to the town centre of Suomussalmi.

Battle of raate road