The Baikal ice marathon is a difficult race with a length of 42 km

Did not have time in the hot city of Sochi to the Olympic passion subside, as the first day of spring in Siberia has passed another big sporting event in which took part not professional athletes, but fans. The Baikal ice marathon is considered one of the most complex in the world, for 10 years the race takes place on lake Baikal. The competition is attended by representatives from 50 countries, they overcome the distance of 42 km.



The motto of the marathon "For preservation of clean water". Competitions included in the ten most difficult competitions in the world, as participants have to deal with very low temperatures. The icy North wind and the unpredictable climate are the main problems faced by runners. Though at times the runners are lucky, Siberia, and meets them with a warm sun and windless weather. Of course, hinders running, and the surface of the lake, in some places there are bumps and irregularities, and in some places the runners have to run on bare ice, keeping the balance.

 



Of course, the huge role is played by the thorough preparation for the race: training and observance of safety measures. The route are focusing on the information received from the satellite to account for where potential cracks of the ice. Claim route just before the start of the race. At the same distance from each other along the way are six stations with food and a hot drink.

 



The day of the race, participants gather in the village of Listvyanka, where is the camp. From there, they ferried to the opposite shore of lake Baikal to perform the obligatory ritual is to appease the Burkhan, the spirit of the lake. In Burhan it is impossible to ask for victory, because to conquer a wayward Baikal is impossible, we need only to ask permission to set foot on the lake surface. For the ritual use of glass of milk or a glass of vodka, sprinkle the liquid on the four sides of the world, take a SIP and run with a pure heart.

The marathon is only part of the winter games held on lake Baikal. The event even received the symbolic name "Winteriada", the Festival Baikal Nordic games. Among other activities – ice fishing, ice Golf, ice Safari and extreme skiing. There are team competitions, snow volleyball, basketball and football.

 



The competition venue was chosen not by chance the lake Baikal. This lake is under the auspices of UNESCO, it was formed about 20-25 million years ago. Its depth is 1700 m, today it is 90% provides Russia with drinking water. The thickness of the ice cover on the lake is usually about 1.5 m, so that it can withstand trucks and other vehicles weighing up to 10 tons. Participants are attracted by the picturesque scenery, the grandeur and beauty of lake Baikal, so that the number of marathoners is not decreasing, despite all the difficulties of the race!

Source: nevozmozhnogo.net/sobyitiya/marafon-po-zamershemu-baykalu.html