The Karelian Odyssey adventure competition was held in 2000-2002, when it was organized by Frog Adventure Oy. The company employs Antti Väyrynen and Pasi Ikonen, who had previous experience in international adventure sports competitions. They have also organized the popular Lapland Gold Challenge adventure competition in northern Finland, which was especially aimed at students.

The idea for the Karelia Odyssey adventure sports competition was born in 1998. The idea was strongly influenced by the organizers' own adventure sports experiences from around the world. The maps were first explored on a flight to Raid Gaulo, Nepal. The name Karelian Odyssey has also been inspired by The Endless Odyssey in 1998, Pasi Ikonen recalls.

At the same time, Sanna Kärkkäinen and Kimmo Kortelainen from Metsänväki Oy; had also dreamed of an adventure sports event in North Karelia. Sanna and Pasi no longer remembered how the two parties had met in more detail, but in any case, the result was the Karelian Odyssey Adventure Competition.

Odyssey was a stage race from 2000 to 2002, competing for three days, sleeping just a few hours between days. The size of the teams was three people. The first Odyssey started from Koli and ended in Nurmes.

These pages and social media contain images, newspaper clippings and recorded experiences from 2000-2002 that Anni Vikki has provided to us.

Inspired by the Odyssey adventure competition, the Karelian Adventure Athletes Association (KarSU) also started. The club organizes two adventure races each year, called Ursak and Wiima, as well as a Danger Marathon trail running event.

The Odyssey adventure competition will awaken in 2022 and will invite adventurers to the wilderness of North Karelia.

The tradition of the Odyssey adventure competition will also continue in the following years, when the event centers will be Ruunaa (2023) and Petkeljärvi (2024).

Check out this text from 20 years ago in the link below!

History video