Before the Tartu Rogain: Course Setter’s Commentary

26. March 2025

Can you ever get enough of Tartu? Well… apparently not! In this current season of uncertain mud, it’s always nice to run around with relatively dry and clean feet. That’s why an urban and suburban rogaining event is the best choice right now. Tartu is constantly evolving, especially its outskirts. This year’s Tartu rogaining course setter, Arvi Anton, has completed his course scouting and shares a glimpse of what to expect.

“This year’s SH rogaining season kicks off once again in Tartu, but compared to last year, we’ve moved across the river to explore the districts of Raadi, Annelinn, and Ihaste. The course is quite diverse—one moment, you’re calmly moving along scenic trails and nature, and the next, you find yourself in the middle of a new residential area, or vice versa. There are streets and the buzz of city life, then suddenly, you’re in a completely different setting. Tartu truly is a fantastic city, I must say!

A week before the event, the final terrain scouting was absolutely wonderful—the sun was shining, accessibility was excellent everywhere, and even the fields and boggy areas were still frozen solid. That meant you could move wherever you wanted—and fast! However, with this week’s warmer temperatures, that permafrost will definitely soften, making things muddier. Surprisingly, the floodplains of the Emajõgi River are quite dry. In some shaded spots, there may still be ice lingering (at least a week before the event).

I can’t remember if I mentioned this last year, but with so many different events (weekly orienteering, school competitions, private events, Christmas courses, and rogaining events) happening in the city, finding new control point locations is getting increasingly difficult. At the same time, several areas have changed and developed in recent years, making it fascinating even for me to explore all these hidden corners again.”