Start: Start is from Santa Claus' Village, where both runners and walkers start together, runners in front of the field.
After 2 km the route takes you throught Santa Claus' homecave SantaPark. Walkers and excercisers split from the runners track after the cave and continue along the pedestrian passage towards Rovaniemi. They will ford the River Ounasjoki. In the city central they will arrive to the Festival area, where the finish located. Degree of difficulty: Very easy.
The runners continue downhill for about 5 km. The level section follows the biggest river of Finland, River Kemijoki, for the whole distance. The half and full marathon runners split after the railway-road -bridge as the half marathon runners head towards the Festival area. Full marathon runners run to the turningpoint which is located in Paavalniemi, south from Rovaniemi. As they approach finish, their route goes throught Jutajaiset folklore and dancefestival area. Servicepoints are situtated between 3 to 4 kilometres. The whole route is clearly marked and distance covered is expressed by signs situated 1 kilometres apart. This course has been officially measured in the Fall of 2003.
Finish:
Located in the centre of the town, in Sampo Square. The award ceremony for
the runners is in the finish area at 00.00.
Degree of difficulty: After 2 km level ground the route continues
downhill from the cave for about 4 km. The total difference in levels is
about 80 metres downhill in the downhill section. Rest of the route is
fairly level. Entire route is quite easy.
