The Road That Led to the Goal: My 2025

In 2025, I competed in two championship marathons – the European Road Running Championships in Belgium (Brussels–Leuven) and the World Championships in Tokyo.

At the European Road Running Championships, I achieved a strong 12th place individually and an outstanding 5th place in the team standings. This was close to the best result I could realistically hope for under the Belgian conditions. The race was run at a slightly faster pace than I had predicted. My finishing time of 2:14:02 was a very strong performance on such a hilly and slippery course.

In Tokyo, I finished 51st out of 90 athletes. The marathon, held in hot and demanding conditions, still leaves me with mixed feelings. Severe side stitches and excessive energy expenditure during the second half of the race prevented me from fully realizing my potential. I consider the unsuccessful integration of heat chamber training into my preparation as one possible reason for this setback.

A picture speaks more than a thousand words.

For both major championships, I prepared thoroughly in several different training environments – Kenya, Portugal, France, and Estonia. I used all of my best knowledge and every available resource to arrive at the start line in peak condition.

🏔️ Training Camps and Preparation (2024–2025)

🇰🇪 Kenya (Nyahururu) – altitude training camp

17.12.2024 – 06.02.2025

🇵🇹 Portugal (Falesia, Monte Gordo) – training camp

02.03.2025 – 07.04.2025

🇫🇷 France (Font Romeu) – altitude training camp

05.05.2025 – 02.06.2025

🇪🇪 Estonia – climate chamber training (University of Tartu)

11.08.2025 – 03.09.2025

Only 27 days after the Tokyo “sauna experience,” I did something unusual — I raced another marathon. At the Bucharest Marathon, I managed to run onto the podium with a 4th place finish in 2:18:29. I am satisfied with the result, especially because I was able to predict my form and performance quite accurately and execute it on race day. Finishing the season on such a positive note gives strength and confidence heading into the new year.

The year was also supported by several important preparatory races. After my Kenya altitude camp, I ran a time close to the Estonian record in the 10 km race in Schoorl, Netherlands. Two weeks later, I delivered a strong performance at the Napoli Half Marathon. In June, I represented Estonia for the 13th time in athletics, racing the 5000 meters at the European Team Championships in Maribor, Slovenia. In May and August, I reached the podium in both the Helsinki City Run 5 km race and the Paavo Nurmi Half Marathon in Turku.

In 2025, I won the Suurjooks ümber Viljandi järve for the first time, the Kuressaare City Run for the third time, and the Paide–Türi Road Race for the fifth time. I also claimed victory on the track in the 5000 meters at the Estonian Club Cup Championships. My race calendar also included the Tartu Marathon 10 km and the Rapla Selver Grand Run 10 km — winning in Tartu and finishing second in Rapla. I also took part in the club relay championships in the 4×1500 m relay.

Countries where I competed in 2025

🇳🇱 Netherlands

🇮🇹 Italy

🇧🇪 Belgium

🇫🇮 Finland ×2

🇸🇮 Slovenia

🇯🇵 Japan

🇷🇴 Romania

🇪🇪 Estonia

Alongside sport, I completed my Master’s degree in Sports Sciences at University of Tartu, managed projects under Eesti Maja Keenias, and organized children’s sports and Bible story days during 2025. Our family also experienced a major milestone when our youngest child finally started school.

Hand in hand with sport, public speaking has always been part of my life. I regularly speak in schools, churches, training groups, and other environments. This year was no exception, with many meetings both in Estonia and abroad. What do I speak about? Work, sport, faith, family, motivation, international relations, and life itself.

Goals for 2026

My goal for 2026 is to compete not only individually, but also as part of the Estonian team at the European Championships in Birmingham. This is special in many ways — likely the last time marathon will be included in the main European Championships program. It would also be the third time Estonia fields a full marathon team.

• 2022 – Estonia marathon team finished 6th

• 2025 – Estonia marathon team finished 5th

• Next logical step: competing for a medal

Media Stories

• Ringvaade: Ringvaade visited Tiidrek Nurme while training in Kenya

• Pere Raadio: Mõttekoda (2025-01-29)

• ERR: Tiidrek Nurme: My whole life stands behind the next marathon

• Postimees: Tiidrek Nurme marks 20 years of championship competitions: I approach the World Championships as if it were my first and last

• ERR: Before his fifth World Championships, Nurme says: Tokyo conditions are my specialty

• Õhtuleht: HELLO, SCHOOL! | Tiidrek Nurme’s youngest child rejoices: no more afternoon naps at school

• Postimees: PM IN TOKYO ⟩ Nurme, narrowly outside the top 50, is already aiming for the European Championships: retiring now would be irresponsible

• ERR: Nurme: I was in energy-saving mode for a while, but I fought until the finish

• Õhtuleht: ÕL IN TOKYO | Nurme’s marathon became unexpectedly difficult: honestly, today’s race affects confidence

• Delfi: Veteran Tiidrek Nurme did not rest after the World Championships: it is possible I will run another marathon next week

• Postimees: Tiidrek Nurme sabotaged his own podium chance at the Romanian Marathon

Current team members:

• Coach Mark Misch

• Assistant coach & manager Harry Lemberg

• Manager Charles Paanakker

• Spiritual mentors Brad Bartz & Nick Schuetze

• Massage therapist Peeter Nigol

• Sports doctors Agnes Mägi & Mihkel Mardna

• My wife Maili and our children