For running enthusiast and one of the founders of Kopli Sörk, Kätlin Hõbemägi, movement isn’t just about training — it’s an opportunity to step away from everyday life, connect with nature, and experience the joy of moving together. She has returned time and again to Kõrvemaa’s trails in search of those same feelings.
For Kätlin, this feeling has always been a fundamental part of movement.
“Fresh air, birdsong and beautiful nature give so much more — you always leave feeling fulfilled. Even in the most stressful times, worries stay home, because there’s no room for them in nature. My first choice has always been moving in nature. It’s simply a necessity I can’t do without,” she says.
Movement is a natural part of life
Sport and an active lifestyle have been with Kätlin since childhood. Over the years she has danced, done athletics, cycled and played football. Her dog brought a new dimension to her movement habits — together they’ve accumulated countless walks, hikes and runs. Kätlin is also one of the founders of Kopli Sörk — a community movement that brings people together to walk and jog along neighbourhood trails at set times.
“The idea came from life itself — we found with friends that there must be people who want to jog together, and on 1 December 2024 we held our first public sörk. About 70 people showed up. There was no turning back after that,” recalls Kätlin.
Together on the running trails
She explains that at first people came jogging with them from all over Tallinn, but it became clear that driving to jog wasn’t sustainable. So new communities began to form, and there are now around 40 sörks across Estonia. A database of Estonian sörks was recently created, where you can find all active sörks, their locations and times.
According to Kätlin, the great value of such initiatives lies in giving courage to those who don’t yet consider themselves particularly sporty. First steps are often easier together, and consistency is easier to maintain.
“The most important thing is to find even a small desire to move within yourself. It helps enormously to find the right people around you, because mutual influence is the greatest force of all! The simplest start is walking, because we all know how to do that. From there, jogging is only half a step away. For those people, many Sörks also have a special Tigude Mäss — a mix of walking and jogging alternately,” she says.
Although the idea behind Kopli Sörk is to bring movement close to home, Kätlin believes it’s sometimes nice to venture out together for a more special movement day away from the usual trails. That’s how many joggers have found their way to Sportland Kõrvemaa events.
Kõrvemaa’s special atmosphere
Kätlin herself participated in the Sportland Kõrvemaa Ski Marathon four years ago and has since taken part in both the Sportland Kõrvemaa Forest Run and the Sportland Kõrvemaa Spring Run.
“I went to the Spring Run to test myself when I had just started running more consciously. I didn’t have many kilometres under my belt, but a 16 km trail run seemed like a suitable challenge. I went to the Forest Run together with a friend to simply enjoy 10 kilometres,” she recalls. “The whole atmosphere and mood at Kõrvemaa are always special. After the effort, it’s so lovely to take a quick dip in the pond and eat a good meal.”
Everyone can find a suitable distance
The Sportland Kõrvemaa Spring Run takes place on 26 April this year. You can choose between the 16 km main distance and the 6 km Stebby Run and Youth Run. The 6 km distance can also be completed by walking or Nordic walking. Free children’s runs are also held.
“This variety gives everyone interested in movement the opportunity to participate. Every kilometre completed is better than one left uncompleted. And doing that in such an environment and among such great people is simply the cherry on top. I’ve always come to Kõrvemaa with friends. Even if you run the course alone, it’s so nice to cheer each other on and do a joint jog before the race,” says Kätlin.
Since Kõrvemaa also has children’s runs on the programme, it’s definitely worth bringing the youngest family members along.
“It’s always lovely to watch little ones taking their first running steps and parents cheering them on. Love of movement and nature comes from home. If parents are active and involve children in everything, movement becomes a normal everyday part of life for children too. The joy of doing things together is also many times greater,” believes Kätlin.
Kõrvemaa has something for everyone
At the Spring Run you can challenge yourself, aim for a personal record, or experience the buzz of a mass participation event for the first time. Kätlin recommends coming to the Spring Run above all for the emotions. “At popular sports events there are those who go to race against the clock, and those who simply want to take part in a nice event without any goals whatsoever. Just the atmosphere at these events is simply indescribable. To start with, you can even just come without going on the course — just come to take in all the atmosphere and soak up the mood. Once you get that feeling, the next step is definitely onto the course,” she thinks.
For those with little experience, she recommends starting calmly: “Kõrvemaa’s trails are challenging and there are quite a few hills to overcome. If you go too fast following others, it can get tough. Never let yourself be influenced by others’ pace — always choose your own suitable pace. That way you’ll reach the finish while still enjoying it and smiling.”
Nature that captivates
Kätlin always takes positive emotions home from Kõrvemaa.
“I’ve always had great experiences. My freshest memories are from the last Forest Run, when my friend and I ate gummy bears at the refreshment point, and for the second time I managed to finish at Kõrvemaa alongside Roman Fost. He was running a slightly longer distance, of course,” laughs Kätlin.
She is drawn to Kõrvemaa’s nature, because it has everything — many forest trails, lakes, a bog, and just the right amount of hills.
“I’ve also hiked and camped a lot at Kõrvemaa on my own with friends and dogs. I’ve also stayed overnight at the centre in winter. There are absolutely possibilities for movement there in every season. And the necessary equipment can be rented on-site if needed.”
Spring Run is part of the Nelk Race Series
Spring is a particularly good time at Kõrvemaa to start a new movement season and make plans for the longer term.
The Sportland Kõrvemaa Spring Run is part of the Sportland Kõrvemaa Nelk Race Series and is the second stage of the series. On 24 May the series continues with the Sportland Kõrvemaa Cycling Marathon, followed by the Sportland Kõrvemaa Triathlon on 11 July and the Forest Run on 27 September.
Until the Spring Run, you can still register for the entire series at once. This is worth doing, because everyone who participates in at least four stages will receive a pair of Nike Pegasus running shoes as a gift. The shoe hunt has been on the programme for several years now and has received very positive feedback.
Getting to Kõrvemaa is easy
Sportland Kõrvemaa Hiking and Ski Centre is located just a 40-minute drive from Tallinn and is also easily accessible by train. It’s particularly convenient to come from Northern and Central Estonia, but many come from further away too, because the compact competition centre, free parking, childcare, saunas and warm food make race day enjoyable. Those who wish can also stay overnight and get the maximum from the event — why not extend the sporty getaway by another day.
Sportland Kõrvemaa Spring Run, 26 April 2026
10:00 – Competition centre open, race pack collection
10:40 – Children’s run 200 m (ages 1–4)
11:00 – Children’s run 400 m (ages 5–8)
11:20 – Children’s run 1 km (ages 9–12)
11:45 – MyFitness warm-up
12:00 – Start of 16 km main distance
12:10 – 6 km Stebby Run (incl. walk/Nordic walk) and 6 km Youth Run (ages 10–17)
12:30 – Soup for all participants, hot sauna open
14:00 – Prize-giving for winners, raffle prizes
15:30 – Finish line closes
Text: Merilin Piirsalu