XXIV. Siberian Ice Half Marathon in OMSK/RUS on January 7, 2015 – The registration is open now!

You can apply for the XXIV Siberian Ice Half Marathon which is Omsk traditionally held on January 7 on the day of Russian Orthodox Christmas at the Cathedral Square.

Siberian Ice Marathon is an official competition that is included in the calendar of the Ministry of Youth, Physical culture and Sport of Omsk region.

Siberian Ice Marathon is the only major long-distance race arranged in Russia in winter. The event is held in extreme weather conditions of Siberian winter and has unofficial status of the coldest race in the world.

Siberian Ice Marathon is a member of the Association of International Marathons and Road Races (AIMS). Competitions are international calendar AIMS.

Distinctive peculiarities of the Ice Marathon:

• It is unique:  in Russia there are no analogues of such a major and mass winter long-distance race
• It is popular: more than 1000 fans of running from 15 regions of Russia and foreign countries take part in the half marathon
• It is extreme: the race is held in conditions of low temperatures (-39 ^oС in 2001)
• It is holiday: a carnival of Christmas costumes, a show of winter swimmers and traditional extreme fun decorate the program

Christmas half marathon records

The course record among women belongs to Evgenia Danilova (Omsk), who had a time of 1:17:36 in 2008.

The course record among men belongs to Vadim Ulizhov (Murmansk), who had a time of 1:08:10 in 2011.

Interesting facts from Christmas half marathon history

In 2001 at the tenth anniversary Siberian Ice Marathon the temperature fell to -39 ^oС. For the whole half marathon history there has never been such a low temperature. Since the runners could get frost-bitten the organizers advised them to run only 6 km in spite of distances they had applied for. Eventually only 13 participants ran 21,1 km. One more interesting fact was that for the first time of Christmas half marathons a woman showed a better time than a man.

In 2012 weather surprised participants of half marathon: the temperature was -4 ^oС. 

In 2004 half marathon participants wanted to be original: they wore doctor costumes and carried a stretcher with a "bandaged patient" along the whole course.

Why SIM? 9 + 1 reasons to take part in SIM

1. Summer or winter

If you choose our summer event you'll see unique time for Siberia. Short, but extraordinarily bright and rich, it is breaking all stereotypes about everlasting Siberian frost and cold Siberians.
If you like an extreme and prefer our winter event, be ready to discover what is real Siberian frost!

2. Easy Access

In spite of 5000 km distance between London and Omsk to get Omsk for Englishman as easy  as to get, say, Milan or Munich.
Wide range of Russian airlines, suggesting direct and transitional flights from Europe, are corresponding all international air-service standards.

3. Different Options for Accommodation

Many alternatives of accommodation are available in Omsk. Hotels are certificated in accordance with international requirements. Some of them are in well-known international hotel chains. The SIM head-hotel "Ibis-Siberia" is one of them.
From budget to luxury, many alternatives are available, very near from the Cathedral Square (SIM start/finish area). Out of the way option for accommodation and possibility to get new experience is home stay. Spent some days in Russian family and you'll have a better idea what is Russian soul and Siberian character.

4. Fine Dining

The dining experience in Russia is an attraction in itself.
The city's restaurants serve over 20 different types of cuisine, from fast food ("KFC", "Sbarro") to haute cuisine.
In spite of your gastronomic taste eat up a bucket of hand-molded pelmeni in local restaurant because you are in it's native land.  Surely you'll be surprised to the prices and maybe you'll even shed tears of affection.

5. SIM all the Best

Our highlights:
  – reputation of best organized, most prestige and biggest marathon of Russia;
  – 21 years of experience;
  – professional team open for changes and innovations;
  – City where Marathon is our "Thing".
Our standards:
  – AIMS certificated course;
  – ChampionChip TimePoint System.

6. Friendly and Hospitable

    Siberians are very friendly and hospitable.
    "When the guest contented the host is glad", "The main place and the red spoon are for the guest" – saying Siberian folklore.
    "Every year we are coming to the race to support the runners from afar. They are our guests and we are happy to help them." – saying permanent SIM spectators.

7. Original Shopping

    What to take back from Omsk?
Take a walk on souvenir shops and traditional Siberian fair. Buy original Russian valenki boots. You may put them on the shelf and keep nails and onions in them or wear them in your off. Hand-made cups, caskets and baskets of birch bark are also popular Siberian souvenirs. Classical country lapti (bast shoes) are also made from birch bark. Bark utensils never get broken, bast shoes endure.
    Vodka – is a part of Russian national tradition. And without doubt the best one is made in Omsk.
Take back as a souvenir –  a bottle of "5 ozer" (on base of mounting lake water) or "Siberian Znat (Nobility)" containing pantocryn, – that is extract from Siberian deer's horns.

8. Outstanding Cultural and Leisure Options

    "I was really surprised, that Omsk which seems from Amsterdam so  far and lost in Siberian taiga, is a modern mega polis with theatres, museums, galleries, night clubs and restaurants."

Michael Opitz, Netherlands, SIM'2002

    Omsk is home to 14 movie houses, 8 theatres, 29 cultural centers, 150 restaurants and night clubs, 9 museums, 2 show houses and 6 sports stadiums.

9. Original Culture of Siberia

    Modern mega polis with 294 years history and more than 1 million citizens…  
    Modern buildings made with glass and beton, and Orthodox churches cupolas are dominating over them. Turn from the main street and you'll see wooden houses, they are of the same age as a city.
    Street publicity and shop-signs are dappling, and old Slavonic letters are riding up of the common range.
    Bell is swimming over the city, and clouds are swimming, and unclearly what is the century now 17th or 21st?…

+1.  Holidays

Date:  August, 7th, 2011 – City Day (295th Anniversary)
         January, 7th, 2011 – Russian Orthodox Christmas
Location: city squares, show halls.
Holiday entertainment program, carnival and fireworks will be there!!!

Sibirian Ice Halfmarathon