In English

Welcome to athletics in Helsinki!

Athletics is one of Finland’s most popular sports! Develop as a sprinter, distance runner, walker, jumper, and/or thrower. Athletics offers an event for everyone, from fast-paced sprints to steeplechase and hurdles, race walking, wheelchair racing, pole vaulting, or even combined events that test multiple skills.

In addition to speed, athletics promotes community, teamwork, and determination. The sport is open to everyone, from young children to seniors, including those in need of special support, regardless of gender, religion, sexual orientation, or ethnic background. There is a suitable group and way for everyone to participate, regardless of age or skill level.

Founded in 1909, Helsingin Kisa-Veikot (HKV) is the largest athletics club in Finland, and we are based in the capital city, Helsinki. Our success is based on high-quality youth sports. One third of HKV's 2000 members are children and young people. HKV is also the most successful athletics club in Finland. We have won the annual “Kalevan malja” for the best athletics club in Finland 56 times.

Athletics activities at HKV

All ages and levels can train at HKV. Below you will find information about our activities for different ages.

Sports Play School (Ages 3–4)
In Sports Play School, children learn body control, basic movement skills, and social interaction while experiencing the joy of success.

Athletics School (Ages 5–9)
The goal of Athletics School is to teach fundamental sports and athletic skills and to foster an active lifestyle in a fun and safe training environment.

Youth Training Groups (Ages 6–19)
Competitive groups train in various athletics events and compete at club, regional, and national levels. Training sessions are usually held multiple times per week. Many athletes join these groups after participating in Athletics School.

Hobby Groups (Ages 9+)
Hobby groups focus on athletics skills training but typically have fewer training sessions per week than competitive training groups and do not necessarily aim to compete.

Athletics for adults

Athletics is a great hobby for adults too! More information on HKV’s Masters Athletics can be found here.

Coaching and voluntary activities

In addition to training and competing, you can also join HKV as a coach or a volunteer. You can volunteer at different events and competitions even if you have no experience in athletics, there is a suitable task for everyone!

Training locations

The main training locations of the training groups are Eläintarha sports field and tunnel, Liikuntamylly, Pirkkola sports park and Urhea sports hall. Sports play schools and athletics schools are held around Helsinki in school gyms and sports parks, for example in Herttoniemi, Munkkiniemi and Haaga. For more information on training locations, click here.

If you want to try it out, contact us and we will help you find a suitable group or activity! Contact information can be found at the bottom of this page.

Costs

Membership fee

Basic membership: 60 € per year

Family membership: 120 € per year

Pensioner membership: 40 € per year

Activity fee

Activity fees are invoiced three times a year. New members pay an activity fee based on the starting and joining month, so it is possible to join the group in the middle of the activity period.

Activity fees are group-specific and are based on the amount of training and other training costs incurred by the group and the amount of competition fees paid by the club. The activity fee covers the costs incurred by the club in organising training sessions and participating in competitions.

Financial support options for children’s and youth’s hobbies

These costs make it possible for the club to organise varied athletics activities and, for example, have high quality coaching. Many organisations support low-income families to enable children and young people to participate in hobbies. For more information on financial support for hobbies, click here.

Mission, vision and values

Mission: To enable each athlete to reach their best level as an individual and as part of the HKV community.

Vision: A safe community in the heart of the capital city that is successful in competitive sport.

Values:

Equality: Dignity and success in sports are independent of each other
Fairness and justice
Balanced and positive development of the child's and young person's self-image
Diligence and effort
Recognizing and expressing human dignity
Supporting sporting curiosity
Substance-free
Environmental sustainability of activities

Communication

HKV’s main communication channels are Suomisport and our website. Via Suomisport you will receive information and invoices. We highly recommend downloading the Suomisport app. HKV is also on Instagram and Facebook.

Suomisport is also the communication channel for training groups. Some training groups also have WhatsApp channels for both parents and athletes in addition to Suomisport communication.

Athletics House for Everyone (TALO -project)

HKV is participating in the TALO Project, led by the Finnish Athletics Federation. The main goal of the project is to develop national and local operational and cooperation models to engage children, youth, and families with immigrant backgrounds, enhance their well-being, and integrate them into Finnish society through athletics club activities. The project is partly funded by the European Union. For more information on the TALO project, click here.

Helsingin Kisa-Veikot Erasmus+ -project

In 2023, Helsingin Kisa-Veikot received funding for the project: "Expanding understanding and competence concerning the work of an international teacher/coach in throws through coaching exercises and coach collaboration". The 18-month project, which started in October 2023, was funded by the European Union's Erasmus+ program.

The aim of the project was to enhance coaches' ability to operate in international networks and utilize digital technology in their coaching work. These new skills enable closer international cooperation, remote coaching in various situations, and more diverse coaching, including for athletes who do not speak Finnish. The chosen partner was Greece's oldest sports club, which organized the first Olympic Games in 1896. For more information on the HKV Erasmus+ -project, click here.