14 DAY TRIAL // If you think that marathons are hard and challenging on a normal road course, image how difficult it is to run 26 miles (42 km) across the frozen ice surface of a lake.
The Baikal Ice Marathon is definitely one of the toughest endurance challenges on earth, as participants have to take on the competition in freezing Siberian temperatures. The marathon offers competitors the unique opportunity to race across the frozen surface of the world's largest and deepest freshwater lake.
The event takes place in one of the most beautiful places of Lake Baikal, and it starts in the small town of Listvyanka, near Irkutsk. It's part of some larger winter games held on Lake Baikal, called the “Winteriada” Baikal Nordic Games Festival, which includes various other events such as Baikal Kamchatka Ice Fishing Cup, Baikal Prize Open Ice Golf Tournament, sled dogs and snow-mobiles, snow volleyball and more.
Participants from over 50 countries gather and run the marathon in an attempt to raise awareness and money for the preservation of clean water.
The biggest challenge for the racegoers is battling against the unpredictable climate, with below freezing winds and harsh temperatures. The lake’s surface is another problem they have to face, as the course can be uneven in some areas, with small hills of ice rubble or holes.
This year's event represents the tenth edition of the marathon. Before the start of the race, an assembled support team headed by the Ice Captain establishes a safe course for the marathon. Then, during the competition, the team closely monitors the course assessing existing and potential cracks.
The course for the Baikal Marathon is also verified by the Emergency and Rescue Committee staff before being approved as safe to drive vans and run on the ice. Along the race course, organizers set up six food and drink stations at regular intervals, as well as hovercrafts and service teams.
The Express informs that on the day of the competition, participants start the race with a shot of vodka as part of a ritual of “vodka sprinkling” - a Russian tradition that is believed to help pacify the spirits of the great lake.
Baikal is the world's deepest lake at 1,700 meters (1.05 miles), and makes up for 90 per cent of Russia's drinking water.
In the photo gallery below you will find some impressive shots taken at this year's edition of the Baikal Ice Marathon, which took place on March 1.
