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THE RUNNER’S JOURNAL
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The Runner’s Journal · Race guide

2027 Helsinki City Half Marathon

Explore the course, understand your entry options and get ready for race day.

A sea-view half marathon with a finish inside Helsinki Olympic Stadium. Use the published earlier-edition map for the general setting while you wait for the final 2027 route.

01 Know what you are taking on

What is the race like?

  • Road / paved route
Official maps & course details

Route and station descriptions are labelled with their published edition. Follow the final 2027 instructions for wave and station changes.

02 Choose your approach

Find your race strategy.

Choose your goal. These are our pacing suggestions, based on the published course, rather than organiser instructions.

My first finish
  1. Check the start time for your distance and collect your bib early enough.

  2. Settle at an effort you know from training, with planned breaks if you use them.

  3. Keep following the marked course into the stadium before lifting the effort for the finish.

A PB or time goal
  1. Use the final route and your actual wave time to plan your first split.

  2. Settle smoothly after turns rather than forcing the watch back to a target every few seconds.

  3. Keep enough control to build the final effort into the stadium instead of arriving there already spent.

Turn your time goal into pace and splits

03 Know what is on the course

Drinks, fuel & toilets.

2026 station information · Check the final 2027 guide for changes.

Refreshments
Five stations on the published half-marathon route.

Toilet locations: a confirmed location list is not available here. Check the official course or runner map before race day; a drinks table does not automatically mean there is a toilet beside it.

Turn the station list into your plan

Mark the stops you expect to use and the fuel you will carry. If you use a gel that needs water, pair it with a published water point. Practise the products and cup or bottle format before race day; you do not have to try every item offered.

04 Before the start

Your race morning.

Times are local to the event. Work back from your own wave, allowing for the walk, toilets and bag drop.

  1. Race number

    Number collection

    Collect from the Olympic Stadium race office with your QR code; allow at least one hour before your start.

  2. Finish window

    Time limit

    3 hours.

Your allocated start-wave time is not listed here. Use your entry email and final runner instructions for the time and assembly deadline.

Start & finish access
Start waves
The final half-marathon start waves are still to be confirmed.

Your allocated wave, event emails and final runner instructions take priority. Read the guide for your distance before travelling.

05 Make the day work together

Supporters & getting around.

Plan your support

Use the Olympic Stadium area as a simple finish base. Check the event’s spectator access and runner exits before agreeing the reunion.

The places below are viewing ideas from the linked route or spectator guide. Use your edition’s access map for barriers, permitted crossings and any crew restrictions.

Helsinki Olympic Stadium

The published finish destination; use the official access plan to choose a public viewing and meeting area.

2026 route reference

Official spectator or route information

Make the cheer easy to find

Agree a named point, the side of the road and your likely arrival window. Share your bib number for official tracking. Pick a separate reunion beyond the finish exit and a backup if the phone signal is poor.

06 Before you book

Entry, fees & time limits.

Check entry options

Use the organiser’s entry page for the available places, current price and entry conditions.

Check official entry options

What you need to enter

Check the organiser’s current age, eligibility and documentation rules before booking. These requirements have not yet been confirmed for this edition.

Read the entry rules
Published entry price
€59 through 31 October 2026; €65 is listed as the next price. Confirm the available price and extras when booking.

Can you finish inside the time limit?

Time limit
3 hours.

Stay in the loop

Email me event updates.

Check your inbox to confirm.

How we use your email

This is for event updates, not race entry or a newsletter subscription. If you join in the final week, your preparation email follows confirmation.

Your address, chosen event and confirmation record are used for the event emails you request. Unsubscribe removes your address from this event subscription. Unconfirmed requests are cleared after seven days; confirmed records are cleared 30 days after the event, with a maximum lifetime of 18 months.

Emails use this site’s mail provider. You can request access or erasure through our contact page.

07 Make your training relevant

Practise for this course.

One thing to rehearse

Rehearse a long-run breakfast and your fuel routine, leaving harder work appropriate to the training you already do.

08 Put your plan together

Useful before race day.

Food before the start

Plan your pre-run fuel

Explore meals and snacks around the time you have before running.

Explore the fuel planner
From the journal

Make race fuel feel familiar

Understand how to practise taking carbohydrate during longer runs.

Read the guide
From the journal

Understand your everyday fuel

Learn how carbohydrate supports your running and recovery.

Read the guide
Support around your goal

A plan that fits your life.

Running, strength or both, with feedback and adjustments as your training develops.

Explore coaching
Official race information

Use the organiser’s information for current entry terms, the published route and your final runner instructions. Course resources show their edition where it is known. Pacing and training suggestions are The Runner’s Journal’s guidance and should fit your experience, health and conditions.

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