The history of the Paavo is one of pride, strength and dedication of both runners and volunteers, and the love of a network of communities for the area’s longest running event. The 2023 Paavo Nurmi Marathon will be the 53rd edition, making it the longest running marathon in Wisconsin! Come join us!

The Paavo is a point-to-point marathon in Northern Iron County, Wisconsin, always the 2nd Saturday in August. The Paavo Nurmi Marathon runs on a certified course which is a Boston Marathon/NYC Marathon qualifying event. ...also offering a half marathon, marathon RELAY and Twilight 5K Run/Walk.

Paavo Nurmi was a Finnish middle-distance and long-distance runner. He was called the " Flying Finn" or the "Phantom Finn", as he dominated distance running in the 1920s. Nurmi set 22 official world records at distances between 1500 metres and 20 kilometres, and won nine gold and three silver medals in his 12 events in the Summer Olympic Games. At his peak, Nurmi was undefeated for 121 races at distances from 800 m upwards. Throughout his 14-year career, he remained unbeaten in cross country events and the 10,000 metres.