Runners at Sunday’s Pole of Chilly–Oymyakon Marathon in Siberia, one of many world’s coldest races, crossed the end line with their hair and eyelashes encrusted with snow and ice. The annual sub-zero occasion within the Oymyakonsky District of Yakutia, Russia, referred to as the “Chilly Pole,” noticed 50 bundled-up individuals conquer distances from 5K to 50K, in accordance with Yakutia Media.
Within the Russian Far East, Yakutia hosts a marathon held in -54°F (-48°C)
Runners are solely allowed take part after strict medical testing.
Robust individuals. pic.twitter.com/hX5CtvOx0P
— Chay Bowes (@BowesChay) January 11, 2025
Leonid Zykov of Pokrovsk, Russia gained the 42.2K race; the 34-year-old has a marathon private better of two hours and 40 minutes, and is a two-time champion of the Pole of Chilly half-marathon occasion. “After about 23 kilometres it turned actually robust for me,” Zykov informed the media. “My liver began hurting, so I’m operating as [best] I can.”
Yukatian runner Aleksandr Moedo, 42, claimed first place within the 50K ultramarathon.
Marathon individuals, starting from age 18 to 70, raced in honour of their kin who fought within the Nice Patriotic Conflict; this yr marks the eightieth anniversary of the battle’s finish.
Presently of yr, the frigid -50 C temperatures are all too acquainted; the realm’s all-time lowest temperature on document is -67.7 C (from 1933). Yakutia’s regional capital, Yakutsk, can also be the world’s coldest main metropolis.
In the event you’re seeking to take part in subsequent yr’s race, it isn’t as straightforward as simply signing up. Every runner should bear medical testing earlier than being cleared to race and is accompanied by medical personnel all through the space. Individuals additionally drink sizzling drinks as a substitute of chilly ones throughout the race. “It’s nice,” one runner, Alexei Belov, informed the media. “Very calming. The character is gorgeous.”
🇷🇺The intense race was held in Yakutia at a temperature of -50 levels.🥶
Individuals ran with portraits of their kin who participated within the Nice Patriotic Conflict, in honor of the eightieth anniversary of the Victory.
A part of the funds raised from the occasion shall be used to… pic.twitter.com/YWCeulbIek
— Tibo91 (@Tibortibor15) January 12, 2025
Regardless of reaching these unfathomably chilly temperatures this yr, the situations weren’t the coldest within the race’s historical past. In 2022, runners trudged by way of temperatures of -53 C, breaking the Guinness World Report for coldest marathon.
Pictured under is final yr’s winner:
Extra outcomes could be discovered right here.