For running enthusiast and one of the founders of Kopli S\u00f6rk, K\u00e4tlin H\u00f5bem\u00e4gi, movement isn\u2019t just about training \u2014 it\u2019s 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 K\u00f5rvemaa\u2019s trails in search of those same feelings.<\/p>\n
For K\u00e4tlin, this feeling has always been a fundamental part of movement.<\/p>\n
\u201cFresh air, birdsong and beautiful nature give so much more \u2014 you always leave feeling fulfilled. Even in the most stressful times, worries stay home, because there\u2019s no room for them in nature. My first choice has always been moving in nature. It\u2019s simply a necessity I can\u2019t do without,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
Sport and an active lifestyle have been with K\u00e4tlin since childhood. Over the years she has danced, done athletics, cycled and played football. Her dog brought a new dimension to her movement habits \u2014 together they\u2019ve accumulated countless walks, hikes and runs. K\u00e4tlin is also one of the founders of Kopli S\u00f6rk \u2014 a community movement that brings people together to walk and jog along neighbourhood trails at set times.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe idea came from life itself \u2014 we found with friends that there must be people who want to jog together, and on 1 December 2024 we held our first public s\u00f6rk. About 70 people showed up. There was no turning back after that,\u201d recalls K\u00e4tlin.<\/p>\n
She explains that at first people came jogging with them from all over Tallinn, but it became clear that driving to jog wasn\u2019t sustainable. So new communities began to form, and there are now around 40 s\u00f6rks across Estonia. A database of Estonian s\u00f6rks was recently created, where you can find all active s\u00f6rks, their locations and times.<\/p>\n
According to K\u00e4tlin, the great value of such initiatives lies in giving courage to those who don\u2019t yet consider themselves particularly sporty. First steps are often easier together, and consistency is easier to maintain.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 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 S\u00f6rks also have a special Tigude M\u00e4ss \u2014 a mix of walking and jogging alternately,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
Although the idea behind Kopli S\u00f6rk is to bring movement close to home, K\u00e4tlin believes it\u2019s sometimes nice to venture out together for a more special movement day away from the usual trails. That\u2019s how many joggers have found their way to Sportland K\u00f5rvemaa events.<\/p>\n
K\u00e4tlin herself participated in the Sportland K\u00f5rvemaa Ski Marathon four years ago and has since taken part in both the Sportland K\u00f5rvemaa Forest Run and the Sportland K\u00f5rvemaa Spring Run.<\/p>\n
\u201cI went to the Spring Run to test myself when I had just started running more consciously. I didn\u2019t 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,\u201d she recalls. \u201cThe whole atmosphere and mood at K\u00f5rvemaa are always special. After the effort, it\u2019s so lovely to take a quick dip in the pond and eat a good meal.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Sportland K\u00f5rvemaa 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\u2019s runs are also held.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis 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\u2019ve always come to K\u00f5rvemaa with friends. Even if you run the course alone, it\u2019s so nice to cheer each other on and do a joint jog before the race,\u201d says K\u00e4tlin.<\/p>\n
Since K\u00f5rvemaa also has children\u2019s runs on the programme, it\u2019s definitely worth bringing the youngest family members along.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s 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,\u201d believes K\u00e4tlin.<\/p>\n
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. K\u00e4tlin recommends coming to the Spring Run above all for the emotions. \u201cAt 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 \u2014 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,\u201d she thinks.<\/p>\n
For those with little experience, she recommends starting calmly: \u201cK\u00f5rvemaa\u2019s 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\u2019 pace \u2014 always choose your own suitable pace. That way you\u2019ll reach the finish while still enjoying it and smiling.\u201d<\/p>\n
K\u00e4tlin always takes positive emotions home from K\u00f5rvemaa.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve 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 K\u00f5rvemaa alongside Roman Fost. He was running a slightly longer distance, of course,\u201d laughs K\u00e4tlin.<\/p>\n
She is drawn to K\u00f5rvemaa\u2019s nature, because it has everything \u2014 many forest trails, lakes, a bog, and just the right amount of hills.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve also hiked and camped a lot at K\u00f5rvemaa on my own with friends and dogs. I\u2019ve 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Spring is a particularly good time at K\u00f5rvemaa to start a new movement season and make plans for the longer term.<\/p>\n
The Sportland K\u00f5rvemaa Spring Run is part of the Sportland K\u00f5rvemaa Nelk Race Series and is the second stage of the series. On 24 May the series continues with the Sportland K\u00f5rvemaa Cycling Marathon, followed by the Sportland K\u00f5rvemaa Triathlon on 11 July and the Forest Run on 27 September.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n