ASH HILLS MARATHON HIKE 2026

Time: November 1, 2026

Location: Estonian Mining Museum, Jaama 100, Kohtla-Nõmme

Organizer: Alutaguse Hiking Club in cooperation with the Estonian Mining Museum

The Ash Hills Marathon Hike is an adventurous score orienteering event that takes participants to discover the unique artificial hills and fascinating industrial landscapes of Ida-Virumaa. This year, for the fourth edition of the event, the competition area has shifted westward, offering new and undiscovered trails! To plan their route, participants will receive a map with checkpoints, and the order of visiting the points is entirely up to them. The goal is to collect as many points as possible within the 6-hour time limit. The competition is scored individually, but moving in groups is highly recommended for safety reasons, given the specific nature of the terrain.

Competing isn't your thing? We will host a relaxed guided hike while others sweat it out chasing checkpoints, allowing you to view the hills from an unexplored angle. Oil shale mining in Kohtla-Nõmme began nearly a hundred years ago. The Aidu quarry was the final stage of this long-term operation, but where did it all begin? This exclusive hiking tour will take you to forgotten hills and hollows where even the locals rarely go. We will discover landscape markers from different eras and observe if and how nature or human activity has returned to the wastelands.

⏱️ Schedule 09:00 – Competition center opens (secretariat in the main building of the Mining Museum). Briefing, map distribution, and testing of the Nutilogi app take place.

10:00–10:30 – Start time (rolling start).

16:00–16:30 – End of time limit (6 hours from the start).

16:00 – Showers and a warm meal.

~16:30 – Announcement of winners and closing (chatting and sauna continue).

🏆 Competition Classes and Prizes Results are recorded separately for men and women in two categories:

• Foot orienteering (men / women)

• Mountain bike orienteering (men / women) – NB! E-bikes are not allowed.

There is no separate competition class for minors. Children may participate, but it is strongly recommended that they move together with a parent (personal registration and the use of Nutilogi are required). The top three in each class will be awarded (provided there are at least 5 competitors in the class). With fewer participants, only the 1st place will be awarded.

📱 Nutilogi and Point System The Nutilogi smartphone app is used for punching and tracking at the event.

Mandatory! Every participant must have a smartphone with mobile data and GPS (location) turned on during the race. Nutilogi ensures real-time tracking and helps participants stay out of restricted areas. In the cold, phone batteries drain quickly – bringing a power bank is strongly recommended!

Points!

The value of a checkpoint is determined by the first digit (the tens digit) of its number. For example: KP34 = 3 points, KP28B = 2 points, KP10A = 1 point. In the event of a tie, the faster time decides the winner.

Exceeding the time limit! Every started minute over the time limit results in a 1-point penalty. Arriving more than 30 minutes late results in disqualification.

🎒 Equipment for the Trail Mandatory: Smartphone with the Nutilogi app (for everyone), reflective vest (for cyclists). Recommended: Power bank, compass, gloves, reflective vest (for those on foot), energy snacks, and a drink.

NB! Dropping packaging and trash on the ground is strictly forbidden!

🚿 Facilities and Competition Center We recommend arriving already dressed in your sports gear. Toilets are located in the Mining Museum. After the race, soup, a warm drink, and a sweet snack await the participants. The museum cafe is also open. Washing facilities and a sauna are located 250m from the secretariat/catering area. The number of showers is limited (1 for men, 1 for women). Parking lots are located in the immediate vicinity of the competition center (signs on site / location links will be sent to participants).

Participation fee: 35 €

Registration is open until noon (12:00) on October 28.

Further information: Leho Lahtvee (Alutaguse Hiking Club)

Phone: 555 988 37

E-mail: leho@matkaklubi.ee