The race will once again take place in the stunning Lakeland region surrounding Savonlinna, bringing adventure racing teams from around the world back to Finland for an international expedition race.
Savonlinna, Finland – After the success of the 2025 ARWS European Championship, adventure racing will return to the Lake Saimaa region in 2027 when Endurance Quest Saimaa hosts an Adventure Racing World Series (ARWS) World Championship Qualifier.
The race will once again take place in the stunning Lakeland region surrounding Savonlinna, bringing adventure racing teams from around the world back to Finland for an international expedition race. The event marks a significant moment for the Finnish adventure racing scene as it will be the first multi-day expedition race held in Finland in 15 years.
The course will be designed by the same team responsible for the demanding 2025 European Championship route, led by Lauri Hollo and the Northern Adventure Team. This time the design team will also include Petri Forsman, Adventure Racing World Champion from 2001, bringing his world-class experience to the race planning.
“We are excited to bring expedition racing back to Finland,” said Hollo. “Lake Saimaa offers a truly unique environment for adventure racing. With thousands of islands, vast forests and complex waterways, it creates endless possibilities for challenging navigation and unforgettable racing experiences.”
ARWS CEO Heidi Muller attended last year’s European Championship and was impressed with the race organisation and setting. She commented, “Endurance Quest returned to the Adventure Racing World Series in 2023 after a 9 year break, soon after I took up the leadership role in the company. Since then it’s been a pleasure to see the race grow and the resurgence of adventure racing in Finland it has inspired. Our first ever World Champions were from Finland and that team was led by Petri Forsman, who is now in our ARWS Hall of Fame.
“After the success of last year’s European Championship, bringing back the original Expedition race (which was one of the earliest members of ARWS) is the next step, and Lake Saimaa is the ideal setting. It will be a great addition to our line up of 2027 World Championship Qualifiers.”
As in previous editions, the race will include a mix of classic adventure racing disciplines such as trekking, mountain biking, kayaking and rope sections, but the 2027 edition will introduce a new element to the course: packrafting. Since packrafting is a new sport in Finland, racers can rent packraft from the organizers.
Water stages will play a major role in the race. Lake Saimaa, the largest lake system in Finland and one of the most complex inland waterways in the world, contains over a thousand islands. Teams will need to combine trekking and packrafting to navigate through the intricate archipelago, creating demanding route choices and strategic navigation challenges.
The event is expected to attract both elite international teams and adventurous competitors looking to experience Finland’s unique wilderness terrain.
Registration opens 15.10.2026
Race Dates: 1.-8.8.2027
Website: Endurancequest.org
Distance: 500 km
Team Limit: 40 teams
Disciplines: Trek, MTB, Kayaking, Packrafting, Ropes & Swimrun
For more information on the race; https://www.endurancequest.org
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