Stockholm–Turku mail route

[2] From its official establishment, Ålandish farmers were appointed to ensure the security of the mail being delivered along the whole path as well as supplying the ships, horses, shelter and food for these 'postmen'.

Since transport by sea was risky, especially during the winter, because the small boats could be blown off course by storms or get stuck on a sheet of ice.

Upon arriving at the village of Storby on Eckerö, the mail was transported across the main island of Åland along the Kastelholm Castle to the easternmost point in Vårdö.

From there, people in postal boats came in action again; to Kumlinge and travelling by Brändö and Kustavi until reaching the Finnish mainland.

[3] Over the course of the 19th century, the postal route lost its past prestige, due to the increasing use of steamboats in that they could deliver all of the post at once by crossing the Baltic Sea.

However, it really isn't about the competitive aspect as much as the social festivities, commemorating the history, the touristic element, and of course, the safe delivery of the postal bags.