STORY: One of the world’s most extreme long‑distance races — the seventh annual “Oymyakon - the Pole of Cold” winter marathon — wrapped up in Russia’s Yakutia region on Saturday, with runners battling temperatures of minus 41 degrees Celsius at the start.

Fifty competitors set off early in the morning from the village of Tomtor for races of 50 km and 42.2 km, braving the deep freeze of the Oymyakon area, known as one of the coldest inhabited places on Earth.

Among the participants was Alexei Smertin, a 50‑year‑old former captain of Russia’s national soccer team. Smertin completed the 50‑km course in 4 hours 45 minutes, winning in his age category.

The overall winner of the 50‑km ultramarathon was Alexander Moedo, a 42‑year‑old runner born in Yakutia, who finished in 3 hours 28 minutes on the route linking Tomtor and Oymyakon.

Another local athlete, Leonid Zykov, set a new record in the full marathon distance, crossing the line in a remarkable 2 hours 58 minutes — his first attempt at running a marathon in such extreme cold.

A total of 96 runners from 44 Russian regions, as well as from Japan and Belarus, registered for this year’s event.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: OYMYAKON DISTRICT, YAKUTIA, RUSSIA (JANUARY 17, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)(NIGHT SHOTS)

1. PARTICIPANTS OF WINTER MARATHON STARTING TO RUN AFTER COUNTDOWN

2. VARIOUS OF PARTICIPANTS RUNNING AS SEEN FROM MOVING VEHICLE

3. MAN RUNNING BY PARKED CAR

OYMYAKON DISTRICT, YAKUTIA, RUSSIA (JANUARY 17, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

4. ALEXANDER MOEDO, ABSOLUTE CHAMPION IN 50 KM DISTANCE, FINISHING

5. MOEDO AND AND PEOPLE DRESSED IN NATIONAL COSTUMES POSING FOR PHOTO

6. FORMER CAPTAIN OF RUSSIAN NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM ALEXEI SMERTIN FINISHING AND POSING FOR PHOTOS

7. (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) MARATHON PARTICIPANT AND FORMER CAPTAIN OF RUSSIAN NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM, ALEXEI SMERTIN, SAYING:

"The trail is excellent, wonderful. I think the excitement around Oymyakon is growing every year. Last year there were fewer (participants), but next year, I'm sure there will be more. There's great support along the trail and truly amazing views. And when you simply disconnect and are alone with nature, you realize that if you resist it, it will simply bury you under the snow. But if you simply surrender and relax a little, even despite the pain and fatigue, then the power of nature will support you."

8. VARIOUS OF PARTICIPANTS FINISHING

9. (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) MARATHON PARTICIPANT AND HOLDER OF A NEW RECORD ON DISTANCE OF 42 KM, LEONID ZYKOV, SAYING:

"My name is Leonid Zykov. I ran the marathon distance in a record time, and then continued the 50-kilometer distance and finished third. I accomplished my goal and my coach's assignment. Thank you, coach!"

10. (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) MARATHON PARTICIPANT, MARTYONA STRUCHKOVA, SAYING:

"I'm Matryona Struchkova, I ran 42 km. The track is great! It's tough. Even though it's warm for us, it's still tough."

11. MOEDO AT FINISH LINE