Pirkka MTB marathon

The Pirkka MTB Marathon is a swift cross-country mountain bike marathon held in Tampere, Finland. Races are structured around a 20 km loop. Participants can select the 40 km or 60 km marathon distances. Younger participants have a 20 km Pikkumaraton. The event accommodates various bicycle types: standard mountain bikes, fat bikes, and e-bikes each have their own categories. E-bikes begin the race slightly ahead of the main groups. The course consists of repeated laps on the same approximately 20 km route. Consequently, the 40 km race involves two laps, and the 60 km race requires three. Lamminpään Ulkoilumaja functions as the event's central hub, housing the office, changing areas, aid station, sauna, and post-race meal facilities. A competition license is not required, opening the event to club riders, less formal racers, and dedicated marathon specialists. The Pirkka MTB is also part of Finland’s MTB Marathon Cup, a national series for long-distance cross-country riders, featuring junior, open, and age-group categories.