Registration for the Võhandu Marathon closes on March 31.

Now is the time to check your team details. Are you on the start list? What is your start number? Has the entry fee been paid? Is your boat class correct? Are all team members listed and are their names spelled correctly?

The person who registered the team can update the details by logging into their account.

👉 Time left until the start on April 18, 2026.

  • Registration for all Võhandu Marathon events is done through a single account.
  • You can choose between different marathon events after logging into your account (Open Track on April 11, 2026 or the main marathon distance on April 18, 2026).
  • NB! Creating an account is not yet registration! Only one team member should create the account, enter the boat details, and add all team members one by one, including themselves.
  • All changes related to the team and ordered equipment can be made by the account owner after logging in. The account owner can also view and manage invoices.
  • If you have questions regarding account management or invoices (e.g. if you need an e-invoice), please send your inquiry by email to vohandumaraton@gmail.com

👉 Choosing Your Start Group

Start groups apply only to kayak and canoe classes.

NB! All participants who wish to qualify for the ELITE or SUPER start group are required to complete the start group questionnaire. Only a correctly completed questionnaire serves as the basis for issuing the corresponding start group sticker for the race number.
Without a valid sticker, it is not possible to enter the ELITE or SUPER старт area, regardless of previous results, achievements, or agreements.

For participants in the MARATHON start group, completing the questionnaire is recommended but not mandatory.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: START TIMES CHANGED!

The start of the 21st Võhandu Marathon will take place at three different times!

⚠️ The previously announced start times have been changed – all participants must carefully check the start time for their boat type!

 

START TIME BOAT TYPE START LOCATION MAP
07:00 SUP / MEGASUP
max 150 SUP boards
BOAT
UNK
WTB
SKIJAK		 Roosisaare Bridge – direct river access https://g.page/rippsild
07:30 RAFT MEN
RAFT WOM
RAFT MIX
RAFT MIL
max 150 rafts		 Roosisaare Bridge – direct river access https://g.page/rippsild
07:45 KAYAK & CANOE

max 1200 boats

 Tamula Beach – 5 km lake loop

NB! There are three start groups:
ELITE / SUPER / MARATHON

 VM старт area for kayaks and canoes
https://g.page/vmstart

 

Why the change?
This adjustment has been made to reduce congestion caused by RAFT boats in the first kilometres of the river. In previous years, faster kayaks and canoes quickly caught up with RAFT boats, creating dangerous situations and disrupting the flow of the race. The new system provides more space and time for all participants, improving both safety and the overall race experience.

During the 2025 anniversary marathon, when the start was divided into two times (07:00 and 08:00), the situation on the river did not develop as planned. We have thoroughly analysed paddling times of different boat types at various checkpoints and collected feedback from participants.

Based on this data, the 21st Võhandu Marathon in 2026 will be tested with three start waves. This should allow faster SUP boards to move ahead independently without interacting with RAFT boats, which can be particularly dangerous for them.

The three start times also create better opportunities for capturing photos and video footage of different boat types. While in 2025 the gap between RAFT and kayak/canoe starts was one hour, it is now reduced to 15 minutes.

This should ensure that all ELITE group paddlers can overtake RAFT boats before the Paidra checkpoint, avoiding congestion in the narrower and faster-flowing river section between Paidra and Reo.

👉 Race Number Pickup for the Marathon

IMPORTANT! RACE NUMBERS WILL NO LONGER BE DISTRED AT THE LAKE!



RACE NUMBER PICKUP takes place at the Võhandu Marathon office, Põllu 4, Võru – https://g.page/vmkontor



  • THURSDAY, April 16 – 16:00–22:00

  • FRIDAY, April 17 – 12:00–24:00

  • SATURDAY, April 18 before the start – 05:00–07:45 NB! If possible, please do not leave picking up your race number until Saturday morning.



Based on previous years’ experience, we recommend arriving in Võru by Friday at the latest, or ideally already on Thursday.



IMPORTANT! Please bring your boats to the start area on Friday and collect your старт materials in advance. From Friday 20:00, security will be organized at the lake and старт areas.
NB! The Võhandu Marathon has TWO START AREAS located close to each other on the берег of Lake Tamula.



RACE NUMBER PICKUP takes place at the Võhandu Marathon office, Põllu 4, Võru – https://g.page/vmkontor Follow the signs in the city.



👉 FREE PARTICIPATION IN THE VÕHANDU MARATHON!

In addition to winners and gift card holders, FREE entry to the Võhandu Marathon is granted to the following individuals:

  • SPONSORS – according to the level of support and agreement.
  • Võhandu Marathon ambassadors:
    Linda Tetsmann
    Anette Baum
    Liisi Siibak
    Andres Kaju
  • Long-term contributors to the organization of the marathon:
    Sixten Sild
    Märt Maipuu
    Lembit Uudsemaa