Kreete Verlin: Estonia’s Record-Breaking Hurdling Star

Kreete Verlin is an elite Estonian track and field athlete who has established herself as one of her nation’s premier hurdlers and sprinters. Standing 1.79 meters tall and competing for SK Fortis, Verlin has built an impressive career marked by national records, championship titles, and consistent international competition at the highest levels.

Athletic Accomplishments

National Record Holder

Verlin’s most recent achievement came in January 2025 when she set a new Estonian national record in the women’s 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.06 seconds at the Coque Sport Center in Luxembourg. This performance placed her fifth in the A final and broke Diana Suumann’s previous record of 8.07 seconds, which had stood since 2023. The achievement solidified her position as Estonia’s fastest indoor hurdler in history.

In June 2025, Verlin added to her national record collection as part of Estonia’s women’s 4×100-meter relay team, which clocked 43.98 seconds. This marks the fastest time ever recorded by an Estonian women’s relay quartet. Previously, she was part of the 2019 Estonian 4×100-meter relay team that also set a national record at that time, demonstrating her sustained excellence in team competition.

Personal Bests and World Rankings

Verlin’s personal best performances showcase her versatility across multiple sprint and hurdle events:

Hurdles:

• 60-meter hurdles (indoor): 8.06 seconds (Estonian national record)
• 100-meter hurdles: 13.11 seconds, achieved in June 2025 at Tartu’s Tamme Stadium

Her 100-meter hurdles time ranks her as Estonia’s third-fastest all-time hurdler in the event. The Estonian record of 12.93 seconds, set by Mirjam Liimask in 2005, remains a long-term target, but Verlin’s consistent improvement suggests she continues closing the gap.

Sprint Events:

• 60 meters (indoor): 7.31 seconds
• 100 meters: Competitive times in international meets
• 200 meters (indoor): 23.80 seconds

Currently ranked #84 in the world for women’s 100-meter hurdles, Verlin competes regularly on the international circuit against the world’s best athletes.

National Championships Dominance

Verlin’s domestic dominance is unparalleled in Estonian athletics. She is a 35-time Estonian national champion across various events, demonstrating remarkable versatility and sustained excellence over more than a decade of competition. Her championship titles span:

• Indoor Championships: 4-time national indoor champion
• Outdoor Championships: 3-time national outdoor champion
• Multiple event victories: Championships in 60m, 100m, 200m, 60m hurdles, 100m hurdles, and even long jump

In one particularly impressive indoor season, she captured three gold medals in the 60 meters, 200 meters, and 60-meter hurdles at the same championship.

International Competition Experience

Since joining Estonia’s national team in 2011, Verlin has represented her country at numerous prestigious international competitions:

Major Championships:

• 2021 European Indoor Championships: Competed in the hurdles, marking a significant milestone in her senior career
• 2016 U20 World Championships: Represented Estonia as a junior athlete
• 2014 U18 Olympic Game Trials: Early international experience as a developing athlete
• 2013 U16 European Youth Olympic Festival: First major international competition

International Victories:

• 2020 Kuortane Games: Gold medal in women’s long jump, showcasing her versatility beyond hurdles and sprints

Verlin has competed extensively across Europe in various Diamond League meetings, World Athletics Continental Tour events, and other high-level competitions, consistently representing Estonia on the global stage.

Recent Competitive Success

The 2025 season has proven to be Verlin’s most successful to date:

• Set new Estonian national record in 60m hurdles (8.06 seconds)
• Achieved personal best in 100m hurdles (13.11 seconds)
• Part of record-breaking 4x100m relay team (43.98 seconds)
• Multiple victories at Estonian national championships
• Competed at major European indoor and outdoor competitions

After setting her 100-meter hurdles personal best in June 2025, Verlin expressed satisfaction with her performance while noting there was “still room for improvement”—a testament to her growth mindset and commitment to continued development.

Career Longevity and Development

What makes Verlin’s career particularly impressive is her longevity and consistent competition since 2008. Over 17 years of high-level competition, she has maintained her speed, technique, and competitive drive while continuously improving her times. Her ability to compete at an elite level well into her late twenties demonstrates exceptional dedication to training, injury prevention, and athletic development.

Educational Background

Tallinn University

Verlin pursued her higher education at Tallinn University in Estonia’s capital city. While specific details about her degree program have not been widely publicized, her educational pursuits have been balanced alongside her demanding athletic career.

Psychology Studies

According to interviews and public profiles, Verlin has studied psychology, reflecting her interest in understanding the mental aspects of athletic performance and human behavior. As both an active athlete and psychology student, she has invested in developing knowledge that complements her athletic pursuits—understanding the mental strategies necessary for peak performance, stress management, and the psychological demands of elite competition.

Her educational background in psychology provides valuable insights that likely inform her approach to training, competition preparation, and mental resilience. The combination of practical athletic experience with academic study of the mind creates a unique perspective on high-performance sport.

Academic Location

Tallinn University, located in Estonia’s vibrant capital, is one of the country’s major institutions of higher education. The university’s location in Tallinn has allowed Verlin to balance her studies with training at Estonia’s premier athletics facilities, including the Lasnamäe Athletics Hall where she has set multiple personal bests and competed in numerous national championships.

Career Beyond Athletics

Business and Entrepreneurship Ventures

Beyond the track, Verlin has demonstrated entrepreneurial ambitions and business acumen. According to her LinkedIn profile, she has been involved in various business ventures:

Wind Growth: Verlin partnered with René-Karl Lambert to work in business consulting and growth strategies. She describes this as forming “The Dream Team” and has noted their collaborative consulting work over a two-year period.

Previous Business Ventures: She has mentioned selling her stake in companies including Agencyvelocity.io and FinestGC, indicating experience in digital services and business operations. Verlin has stated that she has “sold millions of dollars worth of services & products online.”

Corporate Roles: She has worked with companies including Sportland and Jalajälg, expressing gratitude for the opportunities to work with talented professionals in these organizations.

Training and Consulting: Verlin has been involved in training and consulting work, including conducting training sessions for Bolt (the Estonian ride-sharing and delivery platform) after initially not being accepted for an unpaid internship with the company two years prior—a story she shares as evidence of perseverance and growth.

These business pursuits demonstrate Verlin’s forward-thinking approach to building a career beyond athletics, preparing for life after competitive sport while still pursuing excellence on the track.

Personal Interests and Lifestyle

Health and Wellness Advocacy

Verlin has been open about her health journey and the challenges she has faced as an athlete. She has spoken about having “poor health” historically, getting sick easily—a significant challenge for an athlete who cannot afford long training breaks without losing progress and fitness.

To address these challenges, Verlin became a brand ambassador for Zinzino, a health and wellness company, specifically advocating for Omega-3 supplementation and nutritional optimization. She has shared that before focusing on her nutrition and supplementation:

• She would sleep 8-9 hours but still wake up lethargic
• She was prone to frequent illness that would derail training
• Her immune system was a constant concern

After implementing better nutritional strategies and supplementation, she reports:

• Waking up feeling physically and mentally rested
• Improved overall health and immune function
• Better recovery from training
• Enhanced performance in all areas of life

Verlin uses supplements including BalanceOil+ (Omega-3 supplement) and Viva+ (sleep support) as part of her training regimen. She emphasizes that supporting a strong immune system and quality sleep are crucial investments for any active person, not just elite athletes.

Training Partnership and Support

Verlin represents SK Fortis, one of Estonia’s premier athletics clubs, and trains in Tallinn using the country’s best facilities. She is sponsored by Nike Estonia and Garmin, partnerships that provide equipment and support for her training and competition needs.

Social Media Presence

Verlin maintains an active presence on social media, particularly Instagram (@kreeteverlin), where she shares training updates, competition results, and glimpses into her life as an athlete. With approximately 10,000 followers, she has built a supportive community that follows her journey toward the Olympics and other major championships.

Personal Philosophy

In interviews and public statements, Verlin has emphasized her philosophy of “powering her body for speed and nourishing her mind for clarity to break through any barrier.” This holistic approach—combining physical training, mental preparation, proper nutrition, and psychological understanding—has been central to her success and longevity in the sport.

Career Aspirations and Goals

Olympic Dreams

Verlin’s stated career goal is to compete at the Olympic Games, representing Estonia on sport’s biggest stage. This ambition has driven her training and competitive schedule for years, with each season bringing her closer to achieving the Olympic standard in the 100-meter hurdles.

Major Championships Targets

Beyond the Olympics, Verlin has set her sights on:

• European Indoor Championships: Building on her 2021 appearance with better results
• European Outdoor Championships: Competing among Europe’s best hurdlers
• World Championships: Representing Estonia at the pinnacle of track and field competition

Continued National Record Pursuit

While Verlin already holds the Estonian record in the 60-meter hurdles, she continues pursuing improvement in the 100-meter hurdles. The Estonian outdoor record of 12.93 seconds remains a target, and her recent personal best of 13.11 seconds shows she is steadily approaching this historic mark.

With several more years of competitive athletics ahead of her, Verlin aims to:

• Lower her personal bests further
• Compete in major championship finals
• Continue leading Estonia’s sprint and hurdles program
• Inspire the next generation of Estonian athletes

Impact on Estonian Athletics

National Team Leadership

As one of Estonia’s most decorated and experienced track athletes, Verlin plays a crucial leadership role within the national team. Her 17+ years of experience, combined with her multiple national records and championship titles, make her a mentor and role model for younger Estonian athletes.

Relay Team Cornerstone

Verlin’s participation in Estonia’s 4×100-meter relay team has been essential to the team’s success. As part of the record-setting relay squad, she has helped Estonia achieve times that have kept them competitive in international relay competitions, including World Relay Championships and European Championships.

Raising the Profile of Estonian Athletics

Through her consistent international competition and social media presence, Verlin has helped raise the profile of Estonian track and field both domestically and internationally. Her approachable personality and willingness to share her journey—including struggles with health and the mental challenges of elite sport—have made athletics more accessible to Estonian youth.

Training Philosophy and Approach

Balancing Multiple Events

One of Verlin’s greatest strengths is her versatility. Competing at a high level in both hurdles (60m and 100m) and pure sprints (60m, 100m, 200m) requires different technical skills and training emphases. Her ability to maintain excellence across multiple events speaks to:

• Comprehensive technical skills
• Diverse training methods
• Strong coaching support
• Natural athletic ability

Mental Preparation

With her background in psychology, Verlin brings a sophisticated understanding of mental preparation to her training. She has emphasized the importance of mental rest and clarity, noting that quality sleep and mental recovery are as crucial as physical training for optimal performance.

Injury Prevention and Longevity

Maintaining elite performance over 17+ years requires exceptional attention to injury prevention, recovery protocols, and training load management. Verlin’s longevity suggests a mature approach to training that prioritizes long-term health over short-term gains.

Looking Ahead

At 28 years old, Verlin remains in the prime competitive years for a hurdler. Many of the world’s best 100-meter hurdlers have achieved their greatest successes in their late twenties and early thirties, suggesting Verlin’s best performances may still be ahead of her.

With her recent national record in the 60-meter hurdles and personal best in the 100-meter hurdles, momentum is clearly on her side heading into future competitions. Her Olympic aspirations remain within reach, and her dedication to continuous improvement suggests she will continue representing Estonia with distinction at major championships for years to come.

Post-Athletic Career Preparation

Unlike many athletes who focus exclusively on competition, Verlin has been proactive in building skills and business experience that will serve her well after athletics. Her entrepreneurial ventures, business consulting experience, and educational background position her for success in various career paths once her competitive days conclude.

Conclusion

Kreete Verlin embodies the modern student-athlete and entrepreneur—balancing elite athletic performance with education, business ventures, and personal development. As Estonia’s national record holder in the 60-meter hurdles and a 35-time national champion, her athletic credentials are impeccable. But her impact extends far beyond competition results.

Through her openness about health challenges, her advocacy for wellness and proper nutrition, her pursuit of education in psychology, and her entrepreneurial ventures, Verlin has demonstrated that athletes can excel in multiple domains simultaneously. She represents a new generation of athletes who see sport as one part of a multifaceted life and career.

For young Estonian athletes, Verlin provides a roadmap for success: dedication to craft, investment in education, proactive health management, business acumen, and the courage to pursue ambitious goals. For international fans, she exemplifies the depth of talent emerging from smaller European nations, proving that dedication and smart training can compete with anyone in the world.

As she continues her pursuit of Olympic glory and further national records, Kreete Verlin remains one of Estonia’s most accomplished and inspiring athletes—a true champion on the track and a role model off it.

Go Kreete!