Race across the frozen surface of Lake Baikal in the 10th anniversary of the Baikal Ice Marathon

(TRAVPR.COM) AUSTRALIA - October 23rd, 2013 - The Baikal Ice Marathon is held as part of the Baikal International Winter Games Festival in 2014, under support of the Agency for Tourism of the Government of Irkutsk Region. It offers competitors the unique opportunity to race across the ice surface of Lake Baikal with other runners from across the globe in what is recognised as one of the 10 toughest marathons in the world.

In 2013, 141 competitors from 19 different countries participated in the Baikal Ice Marathon ‘For Preservation of Clean Water,’ running across entirely frozen surface of Lake Baikal, the deepest freshwater lake in the world. In 2014, the 10th anniversary event is expecting over 250 competitors.

Lake Baikal is a UNESCO listed site, accounting for 20% of the earth’s fresh water supplies and 90% of Russia’s drinking water. Running across its frozen surface is a one-of-a-kind endurance challenge for well-trained participants looking for a unique marathon experience.

The tenth edition of the annual Baikal Ice Marathon will take place on the 1st of March in 2014, with transfers operating from the base town of Listvyanka, 65 km south of the city of Irkutsk.

The course is a 42.2km long stretch of predominantly flat frozen surface on Lake Baikal. Competitors will be racing across a soft layer of snow and encounter occasional patches resembling the conditions of an ice skating rink.

Careful preparation and safety considerations are taken prior to the ice marathon and emergency rescue and committee staff are employed on the day of the race.  An ‘Ice captain’ and support team plot a safe course for competitors using satellite images to assess the risk of cracks that can form on the frozen surface of Lake Baikal.

Adventure travel company 56th Parallel are offering tours to Baikal for the 10th anniversary Baikal Ice Marathon in 2014. Operating between Irkutsk and Listvyanka, these experiential small group tours include a visit to the cultural hub of Irkutsk and dog-sled and snowmobiling experiences in the Pribaikalsky National Park in Listvyanka.

The trip will also include celebrations of Maslenitsa, a traditional festivity considered Russia’s farewell to winter. Including a visit to Talsty Open air museum in Irkutsk, this tour will give travellers a taste of local culture and an array of native cuisine and traditional celebrations.

Registrations for the Baikal Ice Marathon close on December 1, 2013.

For bookings and enquiries, contact 56th Parallel.

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