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Run in a -20°C World! Japan's First-Ever Ice Marathon, Previously Held in Antarctica and the Arctic, Comes to Hokkaido
The "Ice Marathon," a marathon not run on land, previously held in Antarctica and the Arctic, will be hosted for the first time in Japan this winter. The event will take place in Betsukai Town, located on the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk in eastern Hokkaido. The "Betsukai Ice Marathon" is scheduled for February 2023.
Participants can choose from 2km, 16km, and 42km courses. The race will be run on a 4.2km track set up on the frozen sea. The venues are the Odaito Fureai Camp Site, bustling with campers in the summer, and the Notsuke Peninsula Nature Center. Taking advantage of an environment where mid-winter temperatures can drop to -20 to -30°C, the entire Notsuke Bay, with its primeval landscapes, will become the marathon course.
The event is supervised by professionals in extreme cold sports, including Arctic adventurer Yasunaga Ogita, former adventure racer Taro Shirato, and finishers of the Antarctic Marathon. As this is a competition in a harsh environment, aid stations and warming tents will be available at various points to ensure participant safety.
We asked Mr. Takahiro Yoshida of the Magnet Place General Incorporated Association, the event organizer, why they decided to hold such an event.
We established the Magnet Place General Incorporated Association to revitalize Betsukai Town, which is facing depopulation. It all started with the idea of hosting a triathlon to attract people from all over the world. When we invited Mr. Shirato to the town, he found the fact that it's the only town in Japan where the sea freezes to be very catchy. We agreed that a marathon not run on land would be really impactful, and that's how the idea for this Ice Marathon was born.
It's the first time for the organizers, the first time for the participants, and the first time for the town to host... Since this is the first time for everyone, there will likely be some inconveniences. But that's precisely what makes this inaugural event so valuable.
The spread of COVID-19 has made travel difficult, but we hope people will come to Betsukai Town as if they were traveling abroad. We also hope the name 'Betsukai Town' will become known internationally.
Thank you, Mr. Yoshida! Online, people are reacting with surprise, saying things like, "I've stumbled upon something insane..." and "What on earth is this?!" Yet, nearly 20 people signed up on the very first day registration opened. Now is the time to sign up...!
The condition for participation is to be a healthy individual aged 18 or older on the day of the event. Additionally, a talk session with Yasunaga Ogita and Taro Shirato will be held the day before the marathon. Why not immerse yourself in the harsh yet magnificent nature of the Notsuke Peninsula?
Betsukai Ice Marathon
■Dates: February 11 (Sat) - 13 (Mon), 2023
■Time: 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
■Venue: Betsukai Town / Odaito Fureai Camp Site / Notsuke Peninsula Nature Center
■Entry Fee
・IceSeaMan (42km・26miles) 40,000 JPY
・Northan Tri (16km・10miles) 25,000 JPY
・Ice Tri ( 2km・1.2miles) 10,000 JPY
*Tax included, includes entry fee and party fee
■Contact: Magnet Place General Incorporated Association 090-6470-7720
See more details about the "Betsukai Ice Marathon" on Domingo
＜Image credits＞
Magnet Place General Incorporated Association
