Established in 1959, it was originally organised by a local athletics club, Helsingin Kisa-Veikot (HKV).

In 1987, HKV came to an agreement where the Finnish Amateur Athletic Association took on the operating costs of the competition.

The Finnish Association ceased this arrangement in 1992, causing the cancellation of the 1993 meeting due to financial difficulties.

[1][2] Following the successful hosting the 1994 European Athletics Championships in Helsinki, the meeting was rebooted and incorporated into the annual IAAF Grand Prix series upon that competition's founding in 1998.

[4] At each competition, the best athlete of the meet would be presented with a sculpted glass prize.