Running News Daily

Winter is when races careen from the cosy, coddling courses of autumn into a forbidding tundra that both terrifies and exhilarates. It’s in this frozen landscape that the most extreme races are forged—competitions that take things to unsettlingly unconventional extremes, like sporting the scariest name or boasting the largest field of hungover revellers.

From a race season positively steeped in superlatives, here’s a sampling of extreme cold-weather races that boast the most—for reasons silly and chillingly serious—and strategies for making the most of them.

THE WILDEST

Polar Bear Marathon

Nov. 23, 2024

Churchill, Man.

Distances: 21.1 km, 42.2 km, 50 km

albertmartens.com

An event where vehicles tail runners in case a polar bear wanders onto the course truly deserves the title of winter’s wildest race. Beginning from Churchill, Man., the course takes participants along the coast of Hudson Bay for a challenge that balances breathtaking beauty with physical and mental rigour.

“A few times there have been polar bears right on the road where they run,” says race director Albert Martens. “However, we do provide safety for the runners, escorting them with a vehicle. Often the Canadian Rangers are out and assist us, as well.”

As challenging as this event is, the joys of the race aren’t to be outdone by the hardships. “One of the highlights of the run is the beautiful sunrise at the start overlooking Hudson Bay, and the post-marathon banquet, where the runners get to know each other better,” says Martens. He adds that one of the “swag bag” items runners receive is a polar bear carved out of soapstone. Although signups for this year’s event were set to close Oct. 1, it’s a race worth keeping in mind

THE BOOZIEST

Santa Will Run for Beer 5K-ish

Dec. 7, 2024

Bethlehem, Pa.

Distance: “5K-ish”

runsignup.com/Race/PA/Bethlehem/SantaWillRunforBeer5Kish

When it comes to combining Santa and suds, this race really raises the bar. Suit up in your best Kris Kringle costume and simultaneously work up and quench your thirst as you race between more than a dozen drinking establishments. The order you hit the bars in is up to you, but you’ve got three hours to stop at them all before raising a celebratory glass with your fellow runners at Molly’s Irish Grille and Sports Pub.

Speed counts—the first 24 runners at each location get a free beer—but so does presentation, so don’t skimp on style when putting together your Santa look. “Don’t go easy on your costume,” suggests Rochelle Romeo Kane, managing director of Run Lehigh Valley, which organizes the race. She also recommends mapping out your “beer strategy” beforehand: “Are you more of a ‘run fast and hit the close bars’ or ‘go for the early long-haul’ kind of runner? Either way, come with your plan and know it will change!” Runners must be at least 21, but it’s a race that

THE JOLLIEST

Santa Shuffle Fun Run & Elf Walk

Dec. 7, 2024

British Columbia: Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Langley

Alberta: Edmonton, Calgary

Saskatchewan: Regina

Manitoba: Winnipeg

Ontario: Hamilton, Kemptville, Kingston, Ottawa, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Toronto, Whitby

Quebec: Montreal

Prince Edward Island: Charlottetown

Nova Scotia: Halifax

Newfoundland and Labrador: St. John’s

Additional virtual events

Distances: 1 km, 5 km

santashuffle.ca

What started in 1990 as a fundraiser by Running Room members to support Salvation Army programs in Edmonton has become a countrywide celebration of seasonal giving, as legions of speedy Santas are unleashed from start lines coast to coast. Santa Shuffle races, which continue to benefit the Salvation Army, boast the most Santas in Canada’s winter-running scene, but also pull in plenty of reindeer, elves and assorted festive fashionistas. Clever costuming pays at the events, with prizes for the best individual, group and pet get-ups (see the event website for details).

THE PRICIEST

Antarctic Ice Marathon

Dec. 13, 2024

Union Glacier, Antarctica

Distances: 21.1 km, 42.2 km

icemarathon.com

With a registration fee approaching $30,000, the Antarctic Ice Marathon isn’t a race you’ll enter on a whim, but the experience it offers is as rich as its price tag, and it’s sure to earn a spot on many runners’ bucket lists. You’ll be whisked by jet from Punta Arenas, Chile, to Union Glacier in the Antarctica interior, within a few hundred kilometres of the South Pole. Although aid stations, snowmobile support and medical personnel will be available, completing either the event’s marathon or half-marathon will take plenty of self-motivation; as race organizers point out, there won’t be any crowds to cheer you on—not even penguins venture this far south. Runners should also note this race can be as unpredictable as it is unforgettable. “The Antarctic Ice Marathon presents a unique challenge with its extreme cold and unpredictable weather,” says race director Becca Pizzi. “We advise runners to prepare for low temperatures and be ready for sudden shifts in conditions. Proper layering and mental resilience are key to tackling this unforgettable race.”

THE HEAD-POUNDINGEST

The 18th Hangover Hike

Jan. 1, 2025

Dewsbury, England

Distances: 15 km, 27 km, 34 km

ldwa.org.uk/TheIrregulars/W/2112/hangover-hike.html

An event that gives a refreshingly honest nod to the realities of New Year’s revelry, the Hangover Hike in northern England encourages hikers and runners to get an early and (mostly) sober start to 2025. The New Year’s Day run/hike around the rural roadways, hills and hiking trails of the town of Dewsbury (about 15 km south of Leeds) will ease participants into the challenge ahead with tea and toast at registration. The event’s three hikes—15 km with just over 300 m of ascent, 27 km with about 520 m of climb and 34 km with almost 550 m of ascent—start and end at The Leggers Inn. The Irregulars group of the Long Distance Walkers Association, which organizes the event, puts it succinctly: “A brisk walk or run, a breath of fresh air, a wee dram en route and a hair of the dog at The Leggers. What better way to start the new year?”

THE LOOPIEST

Frozen Falcon

Jan. 12, 2025

Falcon Beach, Man.

Distance: As far as you can go in eight hours

ontheedgerunning.com/home/frozenfalcon

Looped courses can help take the sting out of daunting distances by breaking down the kilometres into bite-sized chunks. The Frozen Falcon’s 6.5-km course at Falcon Trails Resort in southeastern Manitoba is the perfect length to keep your run manageable without it becoming monotonous, but be aware of the course’s unique challenges: “This race is run on groomed trails, however, after a few laps the snow can become a little like sugary mashed potatoes,” cautions race director Joel Toews. “Get working on that lower-leg strength! Also, you’re going to head into the yurt each loop, where there is food and a wood stove. It’s pretty cosy, so don’t get sucked into the comfort. Get back out there as soon as possible.”

THE SCARIEST-SOUNDING

Hypothermic Half Marathon

Vancouver: Jan. 19, 2025

Edmonton: Feb. 2, 2025

(A planned second Edmonton event was not confirmed before publication.)

Kelowna, B.C.: Feb. 9, 2025

Halifax: Feb. 16, 2025

Calgary: Feb. 23, 2025

Winnipeg: Feb. 23, 2025

Additional virtual events

Distances: 10 km, 21.1 km

hypothermichalf.com

The Hypothermic Half Marathon is no walk in the park, but this intimidating-sounding series of winter races has a bark that’s worse than its frostbite. That’s due in large part to the warmth and hospitality shown by volunteers and supporters during and after the races. There are other ways to stay toasty at the Hypo Half, however—at last year’s event in Edmonton, local runner David Eliuk sported 120 T-shirts in a bid to set a new world record for the most T-shirts run in a half-marathon. He achieved the feat, but was bested by American Dan Harvey—who donned 127 shirts at an event a few months later—before Eliuk’s record could be ratified.

THE LONGEST

Montane Yukon Arctic Ultra

Feb. 2–14, 2025

Teslin, Yukon

Distances: 340 km, 640 km

arcticultra.de/home

This race could be a contender for the most extreme in several categories—winds whip up with unfathomable force while temperatures can plummet to -40 C—but its length is what really makes it a standout. Starting from the village of Teslin and finishing in the town of Faro, the ultra’s shorter race totals 340 km, while the main event (including a 150-km route out and back from Faro) adds up to an eye-watering 640 km. Competitors can tackle these either on foot or skis or by mountain bike.

“Many races with these kinds of distances are organized in stages,” says race director Robert Pollhammer. “In our race, athletes are on the go day and night, sometimes up to an average of 20 hours per day.” He cautions that sleep deprivation can be dangerous in such an extreme environment and emphasizes the importance of having a strong race strategy.” While cautioning that the race isn’t for everyone, he says, “If you like the cold, the vastness of nature and being in a race with a family-like atmosphere, the

THE LARGEST (LATITUDINALLY)

6633 Arctic Ultra

Feb. 27 to March 8, 2025

Eagle Plains, Yukon

Distances: 120 miles (193 km), 380 miles (612 km)

6633ultra.com

Canada’s most northerly winter foot race, the 6633 Arctic Ultra (named for the latitude of the Arctic Circle in the Yukon—66 degrees, 33 minutes north) tests the ambitious and adventurous in a gruelling trek across two Canadian territories. Beginning in Eagle Plains, Yukon, runners who tough it out will cross the Arctic Circle to finish lines in the Northwest Territories hamlets of Fort McPherson (193 km) and Tuktoyaktuk (612 km).

Blistering wind and cold make the 6633 one of the most physically punishing races on Earth—but the competition’s mental challenge is greater still, according to race co-director Stuart Thornhill. “The mental fatigue experienced and resilience required cannot be underestimated,” Thornhill says. “Our athletes experience long periods of isolation in the dark and extreme cold, leading to extreme hallucinations.” Sticking to script, he says, is key to success at the 6633: “Those who make it through have a plan which they follow, eating when they need to, sleeping when they need to. They don’t get caught up racing someone else and breaking their plan. I have seen people who have been at the back of the pack for most of the race and have come in the top three finishers, because they stuck to what worked best for them.”

THE SPICIEST

Chilly Half Marathon

March 2, 2025

Burlington, Ont.

Distance: 21.1 km

raceroster.com/events/2025/84601/2025-chilly-half-marathon

The Chilly Half Marathon is a cold-weather race that throws some serious heat. While most of the events on this list aren’t really built for racking up personal bests, the course through downtown Burlington and along Lake Ontario’s western shore is perfect for burning rubber. “This will be the 29th year of the fun, fast, flat race that welcomes 4,000 runners to downtown Burlington,” says Kelly Arnott, co-CEO and co-owner of race organizer VR Pro Inc.

An event that marks the start of the spring road-running season in eastern Canada, the Chilly Half is just as popular for its post-race revelry as for its scenic, zippy course. Spectators and runners can shake off the March chill by coming together for a bowl of piping hot chili. “If it is a chilly day, we will warm you up with a bowl of hot Stagg Chili following the great race,” says Arnott.

THE MOST ENDURING

Around the Bay Road Race

March 30, 2025

Hamilton

Distances: 5 km, 10 km, 15 km, 30 km, additional virtual events

bayrace.com

Launched in 1894—three years before the Boston Marathon—Hamilton’s storied Around the Bay Road Race is North America’s oldest long-distance running event. More than a testing ground for generations of runners, Around the Bay is itself something of an endurance feat. Despite some challenging obstacles (in recent years organizers have had to switch up the course due to renovation and construction projects in the city), the 30K run around Hamilton Harbour remains a cultural focal point for the local community and favourite destination race for runners worldwide. Race-day weather has been known to swing wildly from warm and sunny one year to blizzard-like the next, so the best way to prepare is to be consistent in training, suggests race director Anna Lewis. “Keep to your training schedule even on bad weather days, because you never know what the weather will be like on race day,” she says, adding that wisely managing effort is also key to negotiating tougher terrain near the end of the race. “Don’t go out too fast, so

FROZEN FEATS

Here are some extreme winter exploits that have earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Coldest marathon

By its name alone, the Siberian Ice Marathon seems a convincing contender for the world’s coldest marathon—and it’s not just hype. Temperatures as low as -39 C were recorded at the 2001 race in Omsk, Russia. While it’s the coldest marathon recognized by Guinness, organizers of the Pole of Cold Marathon in Oymyakon (also in Siberia) reported the mercury crashing to -55 C at its most recent event on Jan. 12, 2024.

Fastest half-marathon barefoot on ice/snow

Not content to set this record by running a bone-chilling half-marathon barefoot in 1:50:42, Josef (Joska) Šálek added an extra dash of shivery showmanship by running the distance in nothing but shorts. The Czechian set the record on a course in his home country on Feb. 18, 2024.

Fastest marathon by a female dressed as Santa

From snowmen to ice-cream cones, there’s no end to the cold- and winter-centric costumes runners will don to break records, but most of these attempts are made in spring or fall. Hand it to British runner

WINTER RACE TIPS FOR FIRST-TIMERS

Don’t dress just for the start line

As tempting as it is to bundle up while waiting for your race to start, things can heat up pretty quickly once you’re on the move, and overheating can sap your performance and enjoyment of the race. If temperatures are dry and above freezing, dressing as though it’s 10 C warmer than it really is will keep your engine running cool as you hit your stride. On colder, windier days, dress in layers that can easily be discarded or passed off to a supporter on the sidelines.

Show up fully charged

The energy demands on your body when racing in colder temperatures aren’t significantly different from those of any other time of year, so there’s no need for drastic changes to your pre-race fuelling. The same can’t be said of your running tech, however. Plummeting temperatures can be a big drain on the battery capacity of your watch, headlamp and heart rate monitor, even during shorter races. Make sure the devices you rely on are fully charged; don’t assume the GPS that saw you to the end of a summer 5K on a 15 per cent

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden delivered a sensational performance in Budapest, storming to victory in the women’s 100m at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in a breathtaking 10.62 seconds.

The American produced a superb display of acceleration and composure to claim the World Ultimate Championship title while recording the fastest women’s 100m time in the world this year. Her 10.62 mark underlined her exceptional form and placed her firmly at the top of the global sprinting hierarchy.

Jefferson-Wooden controlled the race through the decisive stages and maintained her form all the way to the finish to secure a statement victory against a field packed with championship pedigree. She crossed the line ahead of Olympic champion Julien Alfred, who clocked 10.74 seconds with a -0.2 m/s wind, while Sha’Carri Richardson took third in 10.76.

Women’s 100m Final

1. Melissa Jefferson-Wooden — 10.62

2. Julien Alfred — 10.74 (-0.2 m/s)

3. Sha’Carri Richardson — 10.76

The victory was especially significant given the quality of the opposition. Jefferson-Wooden held her nerve against Alfred and Richardson, two of the most accomplished sprinters of the current generation, to produce the fastest performance in the world this year when it mattered most.

Alfred once again demonstrated her consistency at the highest level by taking silver, while Richardson completed an all-star podium in a race that brought together three of the biggest names in women’s sprinting.

But beyond the time, the title and the celebration, one of the most touching moments came after the race when Jefferson-Wooden embraced her father, Melvin, in an emotional celebration.

Their moment carried a deeply personal meaning. When Melissa was just 17 years old, she donated her stem cells to help her father undergo a bone marrow transplant after he was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome. Years later, the two shared an unforgettable embrace in Budapest after she had become the World Ultimate Champion.

For Jefferson-Wooden, however, the evening was about far more than a medal. It was the culmination of an extraordinary journey, now highlighted by a world-leading 10.62 seconds on one of the biggest stages in athletics.

With the Ultimate Championship title secured and her father by her side, Jefferson-Wooden leaves Budapest with more than being an ultimate champion. She leaves with momentum, confidence and a powerful statement of intent — turning a high-profile showdown into one of the defining sprint performances of her season.

Audrey Werro has added another major title to her extraordinary season, storming to victory in the women’s 800m at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest.

The Swiss star delivered a commanding performance, taking control from the opening gun and refusing to surrender the lead as she powered through an absorbing battle against two of the biggest names in the event.

Werro stopped the clock at 1:55.88 to become the Ultimate Championships 800m champion, producing another statement performance on one of the sport’s newest and most prestigious stages.

Behind her, Great Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson fought her way to second in 1:56.26, while the Netherlands’ Femke Broeders-Bol completed the podium in 1:56.74.

The result once again brought together the same formidable trio that featured on the podium at the European Championships, but Werro again proved to be the athlete who could rise above the challenge when it mattered most.

Her Budapest triumph is the latest chapter in a season that has already included records, a successful Diamond League Trophy defence and European Championship gold. Now, she can add the Ultimate Championships crown to a growing list of accomplishments.

Werro’s consistency has been particularly impressive in an 800m event packed with elite talent. Rather than simply relying on a fast finish, the Swiss athlete showed her authority by taking the initiative from the beginning and maintaining enough strength and composure to hold off Hodgkinson and Broeders-Bol all the way to the line.

The victory also underlined the remarkable depth of the women’s 800m, with three athletes separated by less than a second at the finish. Hodgkinson’s 1:56.26 and Broeders-Bol’s 1:56.74 showed just how fiercely contested the race was, but Werro’s decision to dictate the pace ultimately gave her the decisive advantage.

For Werro, this was more than another medal. It was another opportunity to demonstrate that her rise is no passing moment. On a stage featuring established champions and elite rivals, she once again produced the performance required to claim the biggest prize.

For Hodgkinson, the silver medal adds another major podium finish, while Broeders-Bol once again demonstrated her ability to compete with the very best over two laps.

But the spotlight in Budapest belonged unmistakably to Werro.

With another championship crown secured, the Swiss star has strengthened her claim as the athlete setting the standard in women’s 800m running. This is Audrey Werro’s era — and the rest of the field is chasing.

Busang Collen Kebinatshipi has delivered another sensational performance, storming to victory in the men’s 400m at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest.

The reigning world champion stopped the clock at an astonishing 43.39 seconds, smashing his own Botswana national record and moving to fifth on the world all-time list.

Kebinatshipi produced a commanding finish to pull away from his rivals and secure the Ultimate Championship title. American star Rai Benjamin finished second in 44.15, while Jereem Richards of Trinidad and Tobago completed the podium in 44.23.

 Men’s 400m

1. Busang Collen Kebinatshipi — 43.39 NR

2. Rai Benjamin — 44.15

3. Jereem Richards — 44.23

The performance is even more remarkable considering that Kebinatshipi had already rewritten the Botswana record just one week ago in Brussels, where he ran 43.40. In Budapest, he lowered that mark by another 0.01 seconds to establish a new national record of 43.39.

That improvement has also propelled the 22-year-old into rare territory. His latest time now ranks him fifth fastest in history over 400m, placing him among an extraordinary group of athletes who have broken the 43.40 barrier.

Kebinatshipi's victory also caps an extraordinary season for the Botswana star. After establishing himself as a global champion, he has continued to demonstrate that he belongs among the very best one-lap runners in the world.

And there is a major reward for his historic night in Budapest: Kebinatshipi walks away as the Ultimate Champion and $150,000 richer.

From another national record to a place among the five fastest 400m runners ever, Kebinatshipi has turned an already remarkable season into something truly special.

Botswana has its latest sprinting superstar — and Kebinatshipi is showing that his ceiling may be even higher than anyone imagined. 

Marileidy Paulino once again proved why she is the undisputed queen of the one-lap event, powering to victory in the women’s 400m at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest.

The Dominican Republic superstar produced a sensational 49.07 seconds to claim gold, pulling decisively away in the final straight and holding off a fiercely competitive field to extend her remarkable unbeaten run.

Paulino delivered her trademark combination of controlled speed and devastating finishing strength. She remained firmly in contention through the opening stages before unleashing her decisive move down the home straight, where she quickly opened a gap on her closest challengers.

Norway’s Henriette Jæger mounted a strong challenge but could not match Paulino’s finishing speed, crossing the line second in an impressive 49.28. Jamaica’s Nickisha Pryce completed the podium after clocking 49.56, ensuring that three of the world’s leading 400m talents occupied the medals.

The result once again underlined Paulino’s extraordinary consistency at the highest level. She entered Budapest as the world leader after running 48.48 in Paris in June, a performance that also set a Diamond League record. She subsequently remained unbeaten throughout her Diamond League campaign, closing the circuit with a meeting-record 48.64 in Brussels.

Budapest has also become a special venue in Paulino’s career. Three years ago, at the same National Athletics Centre, she captured her first individual world title, marking the beginning of another dominant chapter in her career. She later added Olympic gold in Paris in 2024, further establishing herself among the defining 400m athletes of her generation.

The inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship has brought together the sport’s biggest stars in a new winner-takes-the-spotlight format, with Olympic and world champions, Diamond League winners and leading performers competing for ultimate honours.

For Paulino, the occasion once again ended with Ultimate Crown on her arms.

With 49.07 seconds, she did more than win another major 400m title. She delivered another statement of authority, powering through the final straight with the confidence and speed that have made her one of the most dominant figures in modern women’s athletics.

Marileidy Paulino remains unbeaten, remains relentless and, once again, remains the queen of the one lap.

Jakob Ingebrigtsen has made a major decision regarding the remainder of his World Athletics Ultimate Championship campaign, confirming that he will withdraw from the men’s 1500m in Budapest despite producing a sensational performance to win the 5,000m title.

The Norwegian superstar stormed to victory in the inaugural Ultimate Championship 5,000m on Friday night, clocking a season-best 12:59.24 and delivering a devastating finishing kick to defeat Olympic 5,000m champion Cole Hocker and American Parker Wolfe.

Ingebrigtsen’s final 100 metres was arguably the defining moment of the race. The Olympic champion produced a remarkable 12.60-second closing 100m, powering away from the field to secure the $150,000 winner’s prize and underline just how far his fitness has progressed since returning from Achilles surgery.

The victory was particularly significant after what has been an extremely difficult period for the 25-year-old. Earlier in the season, Ingebrigtsen faced serious uncertainty over whether he would even be able to compete at the highest level again. His return has gradually gathered momentum, and his performance in Budapest offered perhaps the clearest indication yet that the Norwegian is rediscovering his formidable racing ability.

But rather than risk pushing his recovering body further, Ingebrigtsen has now opted to step away from the 1500m.

The decision means the highly anticipated showdown with British rival Josh Kerr will not take place in Budapest after all. The two stars had been expected to renew one of the biggest rivalries in modern middle-distance running in the 1500m final.

Instead, Ingebrigtsen is looking beyond the immediate opportunity and towards the bigger picture.

“I’m thinking about 2027… Fitness cannot be faked,” the Norwegian said, signalling that protecting his long-term condition has become more important than chasing another major victory only days after his return to peak-level competition.

The decision comes just one week after an emotionally charged Diamond League Final in Brussels, where Ingebrigtsen finished fourth in the 1500m behind Australia’s Cameron Myers, Kenya’s Phanuel Kipkosgei Koech and American Ethan Strand.

After that race, Ingebrigtsen delivered a fiery assessment of his rivals and questioned the tactics surrounding the pacemaking, particularly involving Hocker. He later acknowledged that there had been “a little too much adrenaline and emotion” when microphones were placed in front of him immediately after the race.

Yet his latest decision shows that beneath the emotion and competitive intensity lies a longer-term strategy.

Ingebrigtsen has already demonstrated that he can compete at an elite level again. His 12:59.24 in Budapest was not simply a victory — it was a statement that the Norwegian remains capable of producing a world-class finish even after months of injury rehabilitation.

Now, however, he is choosing not to gamble with that progress.

For a runner who has spent much of the year fighting his way back from injury, another 1500m race could have offered enormous rewards but also carried unnecessary risk. By withdrawing, Ingebrigtsen is effectively prioritising longevity over one more opportunity for immediate glory.

His message is clear: the comeback is underway, but it will not be rushed.

The 5,000m victory has given Ingebrigtsen confidence, momentum and perhaps, most importantly, proof that his body can once again handle elite competition.

Now comes the harder part — knowing when to stop.

With 2027 already firmly in his sights, the Norwegian has chosen recovery over risk. And after everything he has endured, that could ultimately prove to be one of the most important decisions of his comeback.

Jakob Ingebrigtsen is not walking away from the sport. He is protecting his future in it.