VIDEO: 23-year-old free-runner pulls stunt-like moves in Chinese ice city

For the first time in its 33-year history, China’s ice city, Harbin, has been used as terrain for an expert free-runner. Though running on slick and slippery ice might not exactly appeal to many runners, one runner in particular viewed the frozen terrain of Harbin as a challenge. And one to be conquered.

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Jason Paul, a 23-year-old German free-runner, travelled from Europe to northern China where the world’s largest ice city resides. There, he used his top-level running skills to redefine his sport. Funnily enough, this has led to many using the word “freeze-running” to describe his activity. Very punny… 

Free-running is better known to some as parkour. It’s a sport the combines running with stunt-person-like movements like flips, somersaults, jumping between buildings or ledges and running through obstacles. Some would define it as a non-combative martial art. It certainly takes a whole other level of skill than your standard road running too. 

Fortunately, Paul has his ice run all caught on camera. (See the video below.) Runners should be entertained is his running skills produced some excellent footage. Conditions in Harbin were definitely cold (as one would expect) however in winter, many Canadians wouldn’t even raise an eyebrow at the notion of running in -25C. 

Check out more of Paul’s running below.