The 52nd Tartu Marathon recently took place, featuring a two-day program that drew in over 4,000 skiing enthusiasts, demonstrating the event's popularity and community engagement in Estonia. Among the participants were notable winners of the Estoloppeti ski series, Christopher Kalev and Tatjana Mannima, who illustrated the competitive spirit of the event. Tõnu Endrekson, a former rower and current team coach, humorously offered fellow athletes the ultimatum of either joining the skiing marathon or facing expulsion from the team, highlighting the camaraderie and competitive nature within the sporting community.

Kunnar Karu, the leader of the Estoloppeti series, extended congratulations to the winners and expressed a deep appreciation for the thousands of recreational athletes who braved the cold weather to compete. He articulated the significance of the Tartu Marathon as more than just a sporting event, likening it to a winter song festival that brings the community together and fosters a love for skiing and outdoor activity. The phrase 'winter song festival' underscores the event's cultural importance in Estonia and reflects the joy and resilience of those who participated despite challenging weather conditions.

The involvement of various athletes from different sports added a layer of festive spirit to the occasion, with participants like Jan Uuspõld remarking on the unpredictable weather while embracing the challenge of competition. This blend of humor, sportsmanship, and community flavor at the Tartu Marathon reinforces its status as a beloved annual event, encouraging more people to partake in winter sports and maintain an active lifestyle in Estonia.