On Friday, 24 April 2026, the second floor of Ülemiste Centre (Tallinn) transformed into an indoor running arena as more than 220 endurance runners took part in the first-ever Ülemiste Grit challenge held inside a shopping centre. Participants competed on a 552-metre loop, testing their endurance over one-hour, two-hour and three-hour challenges.

Ülemiste Grit is a unique endurance running concept where success is measured not by finishing time, but by the total distance covered within a chosen time period. Runners had the opportunity to challenge both their physical and mental endurance in an unconventional urban environment.

According to Marko Torm, chief organiser of public sporting events and Ülemiste Grit, the event introduced a completely new running experience.

“As far as we know, this was the first time runners had the opportunity to compete under controlled conditions inside a shopping centre. Active people are constantly looking for memorable sporting experiences, and Ülemiste Centre provided a truly unique setting that combined movement, endurance and atmosphere. Although the competition was officially timed, the main focus of the event was not on records or prizes, but on personal challenge and the joy of movement,” said Marko Torm.

Guido Pärnits, Director of Ülemiste Centre, highlighted the event as an example of how the centre’s environment can be creatively adapted for different experiences beyond traditional retail.

“Ülemiste Centre has always been more than a shopping destination. Events like Ülemiste Grit demonstrate how multifunctional urban spaces can create completely new experiences and bring people together through sports, entertainment and community activities,” said Guido Pärnits.

The running course followed a 552-metre indoor loop along the second floor of the Ülemiste Centre, offering conditions comparable to a stadium track. Throughout the evening, participants exceeded expectations both in performance and atmosphere, creating an energetic and engaging sporting experience.

Winners:

Three-Hour Challenge

• Margo Pihlak – 37.95 km (2:56:58)
• Kaido Voogla – 37.95 km (2:59:10)
• Tristan Rehelem – 33.55 km

Two-Hour Challenge

• Roman Aleksandrov – 26.4 km
• Mihhail Bõtškov – 25.85 km
• Kertu Johanna Jõeste – 24.2 km

One-Hour Challenge

• Svajunas Saknys – 13.75 km
• Ado Jakob Laurimaa – 13.2 km (00:59:04)
• Anders Niimeister – 13.2 km (00:59:15)

Since its establishment in 2010, Night Run Estonia has focused on encouraging people to adopt active lifestyles through memorable sporting experiences and innovative race concepts. Previous Ülemiste Grit events have taken place across Tallinn’s urban environment, while the 2026 edition marked the first indoor format of the event.

More than 200 recreational and endurance athletes from Estonia and abroad participated in the competition, reinforcing the growing popularity of experience-driven sporting events in unique urban environments.

All results can be found HERE.

Ülemiste Grit gallery HERE. (Author: Triin Raa)