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Some 50 running
enthusiasts from around the world braved harsh conditions for
Saturday's 42.2-km (26.2 miles) race on the frozen ice of the
Arctic Ocean, staged at the Barneo Ice Camp.
Wearing balaclavas, goggles, gloves and layers of thermal
clothing, participants had to complete 12 laps of a course lined
with markers. A refreshment tent was on hand for those needing
hot drinks, snacks and to warm up.
As well as the cold, runners were also faced with soft snow and
small ice pressure ridges.
Polish runner Piotr Suchenia crossed the line first with a time
of 4 hours 6 minutes 34 seconds, while for the women's race
Frederique Laurent from France triumphed with a time of 6 hours
21 minutes 3 seconds.
"It was probably mentally the most challenging thing I've ever
done, physically it wasn't the worst, I just couldn't get a
rhythm on the soft snow," runner Gareth Evans said.
"(I) wouldn't change it for the world, it's a very unique place
and delighted to be a part of it but a beach in Miami sounds
good right now."
(Writing by Reuters Television and Marie-Louise Gumuchian,
editing by Pritha Sarkar)
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