Lively checkpoint in kirkenes

Kirkenes is the turning point of the 1000 km race. A big part of the mushers arrived here by now after 500 km of snowy paths over the Finnmarksvidda. The checkpoint is alive. Lots of visitors came here to spot the "rough" mushers and their teams, to meet friends and eat waffles.

Kirkenes is located in the most eastern part of Finnmark. A good throw with a snowball can reach Russia from there. The hisory of the town with 9.500 inhabitants is affected by the mining-industry - today a lot of small businesses took over the majority.

Gapahuk and bonfire at the checkpoint

The grenseland-museum in Kirkenes is the center of the checkpoint in Kirkenes. During one exciting day the staff of the museum is busy to guarantee that the event will be an adventure for the mushers and the audience. "We have to do extra shifts and move out of the office - with pleasure", said Silja Støyva Arvola head of the Sørvaranger museum (grenseland - museum).

"The cooperation with Finnmarksløpet is importnant and exciting. The dog-race focuses on the use of nature in a new, positive way and contributes to develop a new and attractive aspect of Finnmark", says Arvola.

The cafe at the checkponit is open all day and there are reindeer-skins in font so one can sit outside and enjoy the sunshine. People in every age look like they feel good here.

M atilde and Rebekka from the "outdoor-department" of the kindergarden in Kirkenes belief that at least one thousand dogs will come here today to have a rest. They offer winter-activities and a bonfire at the checkpoint.

The Kärjä-family is on a visit at their friends' house n Kirkenes and they make an excursion to the checkpoint of Finnmarksløpet. The children are lying in a sledge - they are asleep and take no notice of what is going on around them. But the grown-ups are the opinion that this is a geat xperience during their stay in Kirkenes.