Olavi Suomalainen



Before running became jogging and before running shoes became fashion, a Finn and Karhu runner named Olavi Suomalainen won the 1972 Boston Marathon. Twenty-ﬁve years old at that time, Olavi’s triumph was remarkable given that he had never run more than 17 miles in his life.


Olavi won wearing his Karhu racing shoes. Lightweight, they kept him comfortable as he pushed himself well beyond his normal distance to the finish line.