Siberia marathon reaches record low temperature of -53 C

Sixty-five runners from around the world took part in a historic marathon on Jan. 21. Yakutia’s Pole of Cold Marathon in Siberia set a temperature record for the coldest marathon ever: -53 C.

Runners from the U.A.E., U.S. and Belarus came to Yakutia to brave the frozen conditions. Organizers were forced to start the race early in the morning as temperatures hit -60 C later in the day.

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The winner was Russia’s Vasily Lukin, who crossed the finish line in 3:22. It was his second straight victory at the extreme race after it was postponed in 2021 due to the pandemic. The best result among the women was Yakutia local Marina Sedalischeva, who finished in 4:09.

Think you’ve run in the cold? ❄️

The world’s coldest marathon took place this weekend in Yakutia, Siberia and it was -53C, with local Vasily Lukin completing it in 3:22.

? @siberian_times pic.twitter.com/qsnxJ2dbS3

— AW (@AthleticsWeekly) January 23, 2022

Around 100 warmly-dressed spectators came out to cheer on the runners as they battled the numbing conditions. In the future, organizers hope that the world’s coldest marathon can attract more interest from around the world.

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This year’s race commemorates the 100th anniversary of Yakutia (province) becoming an autonomous republic within the former Soviet Union.