Instructions for WOC Tour Day 5

Arriving arena

Welcome to Day 5 of the WOC Tour, held at Puijo Ski Stadium in Kuopio. If you’re arriving by car, you’ll need to park at Kuopio Hall, where parking costs €12 per vehicle and includes a shuttle bus ride to the event arena. The payment is made through the EasyPark app using the zone code 3871. Shuttle buses run continuously from early morning at 7:00 until 19:30, transporting participants to and from the arena. Public transportation is also an option, with schedules available on Vilkku’s website. If you’re cycling, there’s bike parking at the city-side end of the arena, and city bikes can be parked nearby in Puijonlaakso.

Services at the arena

Once at the arena, you’ll find essential services including toilets, an info, a restaurant open from 10:00 to 18:00, shops for WOC merchandise and orienteering gear, and even places to buy licorice and ice cream. Water refill stations are available, and water is also offered at the finish line and along the way to the starts. Since the arena is quite exposed, remember to bring sun protection and note that tents and parasols are not allowed on the field. There are no shower facilities at the arena, but nearby public beaches at Niuva, Särkilahti, and Rauhalahti are available if you’re looking to cool off.

First Aid

First aid services are provided at both the finish area and the ski stadium building, with transportation available in case of injury. You can call 041 3659635 if you need assistance.

Starts

The first start of the day is scheduled for 8:30, and the walking distances to the various starting points range between 2400 to 3000 meters. Routes to the starts are clearly marked with blue tape and signs, and some uphill sections should be factored into your timing. Special shuttle buses for the youngest and oldest participants are available to ease the journey to the starts and the remote finish, departing from the same stop as the main parking shuttles. These buses begin service at 7:45 and run until 14:00.

Finish

Note that the finish line is located away from the main arena, and there’s a marked trail approximately 3 kilometers long leading back. The race finish closes at 14:00, while the open classes finish closes at 13:30. Water is available at the finish, and shuttle buses will help older and younger participants get back to the arena, though the walking route is also quite manageable.

Results and prizes

Results will be published on the WOC Tour website, including both race and open classes. Prize draws and family-RR results will be announced online, and winners can collect their prizes from the info desk during opening hours.

Open classes

If you’re joining the open classes and haven’t registered yet, you can do so at the info. You can also rent an Emit card there, which is required for participation. Start times for open courses run from 8:30 to 11:30. There are eight different course options to choose from, plus a special family-friendly route (family-RR). Participants can go together with a friend, and all courses require advance registration at the pre-start area near the arena. You must be registered by 11:30 and at your start location by 12:00 at the latest. Open course finishes close at 13:30.