Topi Raitanen is now preparing for the EC terrains, but in the spring he will take a risk and plans to be in a strong condition for results already in early summer and not until August. At HS’s request, he developed a selling nickname for Finnish runners.
Top Raitanen is facing something new for a long time, when he competes in the European cross-country championships.
Cross-country running is of course already familiar to Raitase, who finished eighth in the 22-year-old EC cross-country five years ago. He missed the EC bronze by a few seconds.
In total, he participated three times in the youth European Championships. The European champion of the summer steeplechase of the adult European Championships was excited for the first time only now, when Finland finally got a team in the 4 x 1500 meter medley relay.
The other runners in the message are Joonas Rinne, Camilla Richardson and Viola Westling.
“The story starts when I changed coaches and sports in 2016. Janne Ukonmaanaho wanted to make it clear that I need to know how to run international races. The first place was the EC terrains then”, Raitanen recalls his background in cross-country running.
Before since he switched to running, Raitanen was an orienteer. Former hurdler Ukonmaanaho ended his own career in 2020, and he was also successful in cross-country running.
“As an adult, I have not run cross-country. In the winter, I’ve tried to run a couple of indoor races. The idea is that you can run hard races all year round. We had to go to the European Championships to run a relay last year, but we couldn’t get a team together,” says Raitanen.
Raitanen considers cross-country running to be important for endurance runners.
“When the competitions are shown on TV, it’s good that the top runners are there. Running culture gains visibility, and that’s why it’s good that there is always a team from Finland, both in adults and in youth.”
Raitanen could also have participated in a personal 10-kilometer trip in the EC terrains in the park near Turin. There is only a couple of hours between the message and the tenth run.
“Maybe the message is enough. It gives you maximum compression for the fall and maintains a competitive feeling.”
Richardson also undertook a personal eight kilometer race. Finland’s second female runner is on the way Johanna Peiponen.
The men’s eight-kilometer race under 23 years of age starts Eemil Helander, Mika Kotiranta and Mustafa Muuse.
In the six kilometers for women under 23 years of age, Finland’s representative has recently won the Nordic cross-country championship Nathalie Blomqvist and successful in the European and World Championships in four kilometers for women under 20 years old Ilona Mononen.
Topi Raitanen celebrated the European steeplechase championship in Munich in August.
In winter Raitanen plans to run a few indoor races and two or three road races. He wants to be sharp as soon as the track season starts again in the spring.
Since the beginning of winter, Raitase has two high-altitude camps, one in South Africa and the other in the United States. In the spring, he says he will take a risk in training, so that he can run hard times from the beginning of the summer in the Diamond League and Paavo Nurmi Games on June 13.
By risk, Raitanen means that the training is slightly lighter, so that the run is sensitive and loose.
“Let’s try something different for the spring and see how it affects the games in August. If and when something is learned, we will know what to do in the Olympic year of Paris 2024.”
In 2024, there will also be the European Championships at the end of June, where Raitanen will defend his championship.
“In the past, we have aimed for the main competitions in August and went on their terms. It’s been successful for three years straight, but it’s a boring way in a way. I want to run for hard results.”
Raitanen’s record in the 3,000-meter hurdles is from two years ago, 8:16.57. It is the third best time in Finland. Above are still Jukka Keskisalo (8.10,67) and Tapio Kantanen (8.12,60).
The World Athletics Championships will be held in Budapest next year. The time limit for the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase is 8 minutes and 15 seconds. Although Raitanen hasn’t broken it yet, the place in the World Championships is certain for the European champion.
“You always have to earn your place in the competitions. It’s not a lifetime pass. You have to be able to run hard times in competitions. Records are being run in the Diamond League.”
Last summer was not just dancing with roses for Finland’s best endurance runner. In July, at the World Championships in Eugene, Raitanen qualified in the preliminaries after suffering from stomach problems.
Eugene’s first set was suffering, but Raitanen didn’t want to interrupt in the World Championship arena.
The European championship in itself did not change Raitanen’s life. The phone has been ringing even more furiously when he has been asked to different occasions and events. There have also been new sponsor calls.
“Negotiations are underway. You can’t stretch everywhere. It is important that you treat your partners well. I am grateful for them. My longest partners are from ten years ago. Now it’s easy to come and pat yourself on the back when there’s success.”
Raitanen likes to attend events for children and young people. He wants to be a good role model.
Although last year was good for Finnish athletics, the Finnish Sports Confederation (SUL), which leads the sport, received a surprisingly low rating in T-Media’s reputation survey published at the beginning of November.
One of the reasons was considered to be the slightly misleading name of the Finnish Sports Association. The association’s name may not be sufficiently associated with athletics.
What could be done about it?
“That’s a very funny reflection, whether the name would matter. All other sports federations tell you directly what it is about. Those who follow the sport know, but the general public may not [SUL] recognize. Something has to be done about it. 30,000 euros plus VAT for a consultant, so a name will surely come from there”, laughs Raitanen.
Many sports – ice hockey, basketball and football – have a separate name for the national team, such as Leijonat, Susigengi and Huuhkajat. They are the most well-known top brands in Finnish sports.
What name would suit the national athletics team?
“If there was an Endurance Running Association, it could be Raastajat.”
The 26-year-old Raitanen plans to continue his grueling training until at least the 2028 Olympic Games.
Cross-country European Championships on Sunday, December 11 near Turin in northern Italy. Yle 2 broadcasts a one-hour summary of the race day at 18:40–19:40.
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