“If Sir Mo Farah tells you you’re ready, then you’re ready.”

Even in the general series, the Finnish Championships in Nakkila were largely a celebration of young people’s promises. Men’s tens won Mustafe Muuse and celebrated four miles Eemil Helander are both only 20 years old, the winner of the women’s Nelonen Nathalie Blomqvist in turn, a 21-year-old. In the women’s ten, the more experienced successors took the victory Camilla Richardsson28.

The Muuse of the Turku Sports Federation defeated its experienced competitors and ran the Finnish championship for 10 kilometers. For the 20-year-old Muus, the Finnish Championship medal is the first in the general series.

– I decided at the very beginning not to brake or watch today, Muuse says about his tactics.

Lahti Ahkeran Ossi Kekki was second (+12 s) and Alajärvi Anchorage Antti Ihamäki third (+36). Defended the championship at Tampereen Pyrinnan Jarkko Järvenpää was fourth (+1.09).

Muusen’s excellent spring condition is based on injury prevention and a successful training session in a reputable club in Ethiopia. Four-time Olympic winner, British star Mohamed “Mo ‘Farahopened the doors for the young man from Turku to the training group he founded, the Mudane Team.

– I got into that group to train and grow my gut. I trained there for three months, Muuse glows excitedly.

Muuse says he learned in Ethiopia how hard top runners train. Now the training winter went better than in previous years, and Muuse knew he was in good shape.

– Today, I decided in the first second that I would win. I knew there were two pretty tough guys here, but I also knew that if Sir Mo Farah tells you you’re ready, then you’re ready, Muuse says.

Muuse dedicated his victory to the deceased To Ilkka Kanerva, whose encouragement once impressed the young man. MP and sports activist Kanerva died in April at the age of 74.

– In 2018 at the Finnish Championships, when I received my first (youth) Finnish Championship medal, Ilkka came to congratulate and shake hands. That was a big deal for me then. It’s unfortunate that a great man has been lost, Muuse says.

Esbo IF: n Camilla Richardsson celebrated the women’s 10km championship on 35.01. Rovaniemi Lapin Johanna Peiponen folded the journey with Richardsson for a long time, but bent at the end by six seconds.

Richardsson, 28, who camped in the United States in the spring, was tough in the race.

– I said in advance that Johanna is hard on the terrain. I had a slightly worse day today. I thought that when I have a relatively good finish, I will be able to run the last 200-300 meters hard, Richardsson repeated the final solution.

Pudasjärvi Athletes investing in mountain running Susanna Saapunki was third in the race, remaining 53 seconds from the top.

IK Falken’s Nathalie Blomqvist was by far the number one in the women’s four kilometers. Blomqvist spent 13.04.

Blomqvist, 21, began to widen the gap in Lahti’s Ahkeran Kristiina Mäki after the middle of the race. Blomqvist’s final draw was strong: Mäki, who represented the Czech Republic at last summer’s Olympics, finally lost 24 seconds.

Blomqvist defeated Mäki on the same trip a year ago.

– I went a little risky, but my legs felt good. I thought going hard is the only tactic I can use to beat Kristiina, Blomqvist says, referring to Mailer’s strong closing pass.

Blomqvist camped with Richardsson in the mountains of Arizona earlier in the spring.

– Let’s move fast towards summer. I have had an intact training season and have progressed in many areas. I have a confident feel for summer. This will be good, Blomqvist says in a good mood.

Saija Seppä and Oona Kettunen competed for bronze in the final church battle. The last competitor, who competed in 2019, crossed the finish line five seconds before Kettus. The difference to the winner was over a minute.

Eemil Helander, 20, competed for the first time in the general series of Finnish Championships and immediately celebrated the Finnish championship in Nakkila.

Helander, who represents Jyväskylä Field Athletes, was number one in the men’s four kilometers, ten seconds behind Joensuu Kataja. Mika to Kotiranta.

A year ago, Helander competed in the 22-year-old series. Estetaituri has as many as five cross-country championships and two silver medals from the youth series.

– It felt relaxed. Of course, a little noticed when it was windy and cool that the thighs were starting to be a bit jerky. The workouts went well and I trusted my own fitness, Helander says.

Ossi Kekki ran second in the morning and finished his great day with a four-kilometer bronze medal. There was a difference of 12 seconds in the finish. Hannu Granberg and Martti Siikaluoma secured the Lahti Ahkera team championship in fourth and fifth place.

The top name in the Finnish endurance race Topi Raitanen was not involved in the Nakkila Championships, as he will compete in the Diamond League Opening Ceremony on May 13 in Doha.

The 19-year-old women’s championship in the four-mile trip was by far the most promising Ilona Mononen. Last summer, Lahti’s Ahker runner won the European Youth Championship gold in Tallinn with 3,000 meters. The men’s peer race was won by a beginner in his running career Mikko Kauppinen.