Victory Day Marathon's two fastest men thirsty for beer

More than 560 runners braved scorching temperatures to compete in Estonia's 15th Victory Day Marathon on June 23, 2026. The event, held the day before Midsummer's Eve, tested participants with heat exceeding 25 degrees Celsius and a lack of wind.

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I didn't come to Pärnumaa to set a time, but just to train.

Despite the harsh conditions, the marathon attracted a large crowd, surprising organizers who ran out of participation medals. The half-marathon was the most popular event, followed by a 5.7-kilometer race and the full marathon. Children also participated in dedicated races.

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You can't run a good time in the summer – today was quite tough and you have to be careful.

Aleksandr Kuleshov, a 47-year-old from Tallinn, dominated the men's 42.2-kilometer race, finishing in 2:38:19. He noted that summer is not ideal for achieving personal bests due to the heat, recalling a previous Victory Day Marathon five years prior when he collapsed 100 meters from the finish line while leading. This year, he corrected that performance, securing his second win at the event and his 40th career marathon.

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I still remember that hot day five years ago... Every time I come here to run, I think about it and take it a bit easier.

Kuleshov, who trains daily and runs approximately 5,000-6,000 kilometers annually, sees himself as his own biggest competitor. The event also featured international participants from Latvia, Finland, Sweden, and Germany, adding a global dimension to the national sports festival.

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I'm already used to it – I am my own biggest competitor.