Hulunbuir, China News Service, December 24 (Reporter Zhang Wei) "Beep!" The starting gun sounded, and under the extremely cold of -38 °C, nearly 1,000 marathon runners shouted and rushed out of the starting line.
At 10 o'clock on the 24th, the 10th China Cold Pole Marathon 2023 kicked off in Hulunbergenhe City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, with nearly 1,000 athletes from Mongolia and 10 provinces (autonomous regions) and cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, Heilongjiang, and Inner Mongolia participating.
Runners in the extreme cold, some become "white-eyed heroes" in seconds, and some are "steaming", which is very sassy. Xu Xiutao, the world ultramarathon champion, told a reporter from China News Service after the race: "I am so cold that I can't speak now, but I am still very comfortable running, and my mental state is very good." ”
On December 24, athletes ran enthusiastically in the extreme cold of -38°C. Photo by Wang Peng
At 14 o'clock, the last runner crossed the finish line and the race ended. Chinese runners won the first and second places in the men's half marathon group, while Chinese runners won the first and second places in the women's group, and Mongolia's Saren Gaowa won the third place.
"This is my first time participating in the Cold Pole Marathon in China, it is so exciting, and the rime and snow along the way are also beautiful, and this experience makes me very excited," Saren Gaowa said in an interview. ”
On December 24, Mongolian runners participated in the China Cold Pole Marathon. Photo by Wang Zhengyin
According to the organizing committee, this year's "China Cold Pole Marathon" is the largest and largest number of participants in the past. The race consists of two race formats: men's and women's half marathon (21.0975 km) and men's and women's health run (5 km).
On December 24, the 10th China Cold Pole Marathon 2023 kicked off in Genhe City. Photo by Wang Peng
Genhe City is located in the hinterland of the Great Xing'an Mountains, which is one of the highest latitudes in Inner Mongolia. According to historical records, the extreme minimum temperature in Genhe City reached -58°С, which is known as the "cold pole of China".
On the same day, the 10th Cold Polar Ice and Snow Season in Genhe City was launched at the same time, and the activity will continue until April 2024. (ENDS)