The former biathlon star continues to impress: over the weekend, the 42-year-old won a 10-kilometer race with a time so strong that she outpaced nearly all the men.

This weekend, Kaisa Mäkäräinen claimed victory in the 10km Joensuu Run with a margin of 38 seconds to the next runner. The former biathlon star clocked 35:32, improving her time from last year by almost a full minute. Back then, she won the popular race in 36 minutes and 38 seconds.

According to Finnish media, her time would have placed her eighth in the men’s field. The fastest man was Samu Auvinen, with a time of 32:36.

Comeback tour

Kaisa Mäkäräinen retired after the 2020 season and has barely competed since. But this winter, the former biathlete made a comeback.

First, Mäkäräinen won two gold medals at the Finnish National Biathlon Championships. Then, she claimed victory in the prestigious long-distance race Ylläs-Levi in northern Finland, ahead of two former Olympic champions in cross-country skiing.

Two days later, she won the 60km opening stage of Lapponia Ski Week. Then finished second in the 50km second stage and won the final stage of the tour.

Read More and Watch: The best moments of Lapponia Ski Week 2025

Long list of achievements

During her 15-year biathlon career, Kaisa Mäkäräinen earned six individual World Championship medals and competed in three Olympics. She secured 27 individual World Cup victories and won the overall World Cup three times (2011, 2014, and 2018).

Also Read – Biathlon World Cup: Calendar for the 2025/2026 winter season

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