Jogging clubs gain popularity across Estonia

Jogging clubs are gaining popularity across Estonia, with 69 clubs now using “Sörk” in their names, ERR reported. The trend follows growing interest in recreational sports and the recent Swedbank Tallinn Marathon, which attracted thousands of participants.

A new Megasörk event was held outside Estonia’s National Library, where people joined a group run. The Kopli Sörk club was founded by Andres Reimand, who said its members come from different cultural backgrounds, age groups and professions.

“Ukrainians, Britons, people from Belgium, different professions – it’s incredibly interesting,” Reimand said. “The more diverse the group is, the more interesting it is for all of us.”

Runner Kristlin said she discovered jogging clubs the year before last and began attending Peetri Sörk runs. She later completed her first half-marathon with the group.

Reimand said new clubs were appearing across the country, including in Tallinn, Peetri, Lüganuse and Saare. He encouraged people to start a club if there was not already one in their neighbourhood.

Anyone can join the runs, he said. Participants have arrived with dogs, prams, spouses and bicycles.

A five-kilometre route at the event took runners around Tallinn’s Old Town and Snelli Park. The routes vary, and participants are often rewarded with food afterwards. On this occasion, they ate pizza.

People with very different levels of experience take part, from those putting on running shoes for the first time in years to experienced marathon runners. One participant, Harry, said the community was more important to him than the sport itself.

Reimand said joining the club was free. Participants contribute what they have at home or what they can make, allowing the group to operate without financial obligations.