Pogostan Ultra Trail
Pogostan Ultra Trail 328 km
Kuhmo → Ilomantsi
Race guide
Updated 2 August 2026
Pogostan Ultra Trail 328 km is a 200-mile wilderness ultra along Finland's eastern border: 328 kilometres from the Kuhmo backcountry south to Ilomantsi, following the Karhunpolku, Susitaival and Taitajan Taival hiking trails through Ruunaa, Patvinsuo and Petkeljärvi. Total ascent is 3,641 m, but the high point stays under 300 m — this is not a mountain race. It is a race about distance, about several consecutive nights, and about being almost entirely self-sufficient in uninhabited country. The start is Tuesday 25 August at 12:00 and the time limit is 106 hours; the finish in Ilomantsi closes Saturday 29 August at 22:00. There are three aid stations with their own cut-offs — Ruunaa (120 km), Patvinsuo (200 km) and Möhkö (290 km) — with long, remote stretches between them. Above all this is a race of head and logistics: sleep, foot care and steady eating decide it far more than speed.
Course & terrain
The route starts in the wilderness south of Kuhmo and follows some of Finland's best-known hiking trails toward Ilomantsi. Underfoot it alternates between root-covered forest path, long gravel sections, and boardwalk over open mires. Most of the distance is covered far from roads and services, through Patvinsuo National Park and the Petkeljärvi backcountry close to the eastern border. The elevation differences are small, but 328 kilometres accumulate more than 3,600 m of ascent from countless short rises. The ground is often wet and slippery, and the longest carries between aid stations run to tens of kilometres. The course rewards patient progress and punishes haste on the technical, tiring sections.
Where the race is decided
In a 200-miler, speed rarely decides anything and what happens at the aid stations and during the nights decides almost everything. The first long leg from Kuhmo to Ruunaa (120 km, cut-off Wednesday 18:00) sets the rhythm: start conservatively, because an opening that is too hard shows up on the third night. Patvinsuo (200 km, cut-off Friday 00:00) and Möhkö (290 km, cut-off Saturday 16:00) are the points where runners either put themselves back together or stop. Sleep is part of the strategy. Plan short, controlled sleep breaks at the aid stations before exhaustion forces them — not after. Keep your feet as dry as you can and treat hot spots early; over 328 kilometres a small blister can grow into the thing that ends your race.
Pacing & fuelling
Build your plan around the legs between aid stations, not around a finish time. The three aid stations (Ruunaa 120 km, Patvinsuo 200 km, Möhkö 290 km) offer a drop bag, a meal and a place to rest; between them you carry everything you need, including water for the longer stretches. There are also water points along the way at Aittokoski, Kaatiinlampi and Naarva, and wells at Jorho and Särkkäjärvi. Eat steadily by the clock from the very start — protect your stomach before it fails, and it will still be working on the fourth day. At the aid stations favour salty, real food and something warm to drink. Walk everything steep or technical; over 328 kilometres the difference between running and walking is small, but the legs you save are irreplaceable.
Conditions
Late August on the eastern border brings a wide range of weather: days can be warm, but nights drop easily toward 5 °C, and rain and mist are likely at some point across several days out there. Wet mire and boardwalk terrain is slippery, and keeping your feet dry is constant work. The route is mostly uninhabited wilderness, and every night is covered in darkness. A reliable head torch with spare batteries, a warm layer and careful drop-bag logistics are essential. The proximity of the eastern border and the long gaps between services put the emphasis on self-sufficiency — always carry a little more than you think you need, and plan for navigating in the dark in remote country.
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Checkpoints & cut-offs
⚠ Auto-researched from public sources — aid stations and cut-offs may be incomplete. Confirm against the official roadbook before race day.
0 km · 209 m · —
120 km · 140 m · Wed 18:00
200 km · 156 m · Fri 00:00
290 km · 178 m · Sat 16:00
328 km · 161 m · Sat 22:00
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Course data researched from public sources — verify against the official roadbook.