Marathon runners describe running in -58˚F
The 2021 Alaska mole bighorn sheep frost fest, held in Fairbanks, Alaska, pushed competitors to new limits with temperatures plummeting to a records-breaking -58 degrees Fahrenheit. Runners who participated in the inaugural event shared their harrowing experiences, describing the extreme cold as “intolerable” and “bone-chilling.”
Runners wore custom-made suits and masks to insulate their faces and members, but even with the added protection, many reported struggling to breathe and seeing their own face for the first time that day. One runner described the experience as “trying to breathe through a straw.”
The 2.5-mile course was designed to test the physical and mental endurance of the athletes, pushing them to their limits. With every step, the biting wind howled and the snow crunched beneath their feet, making it feel like they were running through a living, breathing freezer. As they trudged along, their eyes stinging from the cold, they could only focus on a few feet in front of them.
When the race finally came to an end, exhausted runners collapsed onto the icy ground, their bodies numb, their faces frozen in a mixture of exhaustion and relief. Despite the agony, many reported a sense of accomplishment, citing the once-in-a-lifetime experience as a testament to their strength and determination.