All five Nordic countries took part in the competitions and all five played host to the tournament, with Iceland being the last nation to do so in 1969.

Three other Finns managed to top the podium twice: Tenho Salakka, Eino Oksanen and Pentti Rummakko.

Rummakko would have matched Karvonen's feat had he been officially selected in 1970 – he finished first in 2:29:34 hours competing as a guest that year.

Håkan Spik of Finland set the championships record of 2:14:48 upon winning the final edition in 1979.

Swedes Fredrik Johansson and Isabellah Andersson won the races and led their nation to both team titles.