New Mongolia marathon becomes one of world’s coldest races

February 2, 2016
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For most, getting through a winter training run in the wind, ice and snow is trying enough. Running through the cold is tough. Racing in the cold though, is even tougher. But last week, Andrew Murray, a sports medicine doctor from Edinburgh, ran the inaugural Genghis Khan Ice Marathon in outer Mongolia’s frigid weather and won.

According to Stvnews.com, Murray took to the freezing cold -34C temperatures on the Jan. 26 race day and finished the course in 3:07– not bad for some serious sub zero running conditions. The doctor can now add this win to his first place finishes at the North Pole Marathon and the Antarctic Ice Marathon. As for the women’s race– that was won in 4:19 by an Australian woman, Lucja Leonard.

The Genghis Khan Ice Marathon attracts the type of runner who is not scared of getting out in brutally cold weather to run one of the world’s coldest races. Running in temperatures like last week’s -34C, it takes a certain type of training to be able to compete. The race course follows along the frozen Tuul River with teams of huskies travelling along the route bringing supplies.

Because participants were running along the frozen body of water for a large portion of the race, Murray came prepared with ice spikes, he told scotsman.com. Afterwards, he made the 64-mile trek to Mongolia’s capital– Ulaanbaatar to explore more of the country.

This marathon is one of the coldest in the world and is organized by Davis Scott, who works with outdoor company Sandbaggers.

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