A Unique Endurance Adventure in the Heart of Finland’s Lake District
Welcome to an unforgettable SwimRun experience in the national landscape of Oulujärvi.
Ärjä Arctic SwimRun combines trail running and open-water swimming in the breathtaking Ärjänsaari, located in Kajaani—a place where pristine nature, history, and the joy of movement come together.
The event will be held for the first time in summer 2026, following strong interest from athletes. The island’s shallow sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and varied forest trails create a safe yet truly immersive environment for both experienced SwimRun athletes and first-timers.
What Is Ärjä Arctic SwimRun?
- Total distance: approximately 10 km
- Open-water swimming: approx. 4 km
- Trail running: approx. 6 km
- 4 swimming sections and 4 running sections
- Start and finish at Vierasniemi, Ärjänsaari
- The course follows the island’s most scenic trails and the open waters of Oulujärvi
Why Participate?
- Experience a rare SwimRun event in Northern Finland
- Move through a landscape that is becoming a protected natural area
- Boost both physical and mental well-being
- Spend a summer Saturday in a supportive, community-driven atmosphere
- Discover Ärjänsaari – “a natural treasure belonging to every Finn”
Who is Ärjä Arctic SwimRun for?
Ärjä Arctic SwimRun is designed for anyone interested in trail running and open-water swimming. The clearly marked course and safe swimming sections make the event accessible even for first-time SwimRun participants.
You can take part solo or with friends—whether you’re coming from nearby or farther away. We warmly welcome international athletes as well.
Registration:
The event is open to the first 100 registrants in 2026.
In addition to the required information in the online store’s shopping cart, please provide your birth year, the category you are participating in, and the details of your safety person/guardian (name and phone number) in the message to the merchant field.
After paying the participation fee, you will receive a code to reserve a preferred time for boat transport via the online store. You can also purchase boat rides for your support team from the store.
Participation Fee:
December 1st – August 6, 2026: €79. Limited to the first 100 registered participants in 2026.
The participation fee includes:
- Round-trip boat transportation from Ruunaniemi (Ruunaniementie 70, Kajaani) to Ärjä`s Säippä dock – Ruunaniemi, approximately 4km boat ride.
- ÄRJÄ ARCTIC LAKE SWIM swim cap
- Participation in the swimming event
- Timing and results service
- Small recovery snacks at the finish line
- Kupilka ÄRJÄ commemorative prize
- Participation in product raffles
- Changing rooms and equipment storage at cabins
- Sauna facilities
- Safety kayakers and medical assistance if needed
Support
The Vierasniemi cabin and dining hall will serve as changing rooms, where you can leave your equipment during the event.
After the swim, there is an opportunity to sauna at the Vierasniemi sauna, which was once used by President Kekkonen as a guest of the Kajaani Paper Factory.
Communication and Photography
The names and hometowns/countries of participants will be published in the event’s start and results lists. Photos and videos will be taken during the event, and they may be used in the marketing of future events. Participants have the right to use these images in their own social media posts.
Insurance
The organizer does not provide insurance for participants, so everyone is advised to have valid accident insurance that covers any potential injuries during the event. Participation is at your own risk.
We reserve the right to make changes to the event and transportation schedules in case of weather conditions.
Cancellation Policy: Registration is binding and cannot be canceled after submission. However, it is possible to transfer your registration to another person free of charge or use it for next year’s event. Any transfers must be notified to the event organizer in advance via email at .
Getting There
Kajaani is easily accessible by train, plane, or coach. It takes by car about 20min from city center to Ruunaniemi (Ruunaniementie 70, Kajaani) Harbour which is starting point for boat transfer to Ärjänsaari.
The boat transfer to the island takes approximately 10 minutes (4 km)—and the journey itself is already part of the adventure.