Kilometers of insanity or five coolest "marathon" of Christian Shistera

Christian Shister, 47 year-old athlete who almost died from excessive weight, was for "Run, Layfhaker Run "your own personal list of the five most bizarre and difficult races in which he He involved himself.

The starting point for today's lifestyle Shistera was the visit to the doctor in 1989. He was 22 years old, most of his time he spent on the couch, smoked 40 and sometimes 60 cigarettes a day, drinking seriously and weighed more than 100 kg. physician diagnosis sounded like a death sentence: if the Christian will not change your lifestyle, it is unlikely to meet the 50-year anniversary. From the moment a young person's life has changed dramatically: he gave up smoking, he gave up alcohol and started to run.

Initially, Christian was very difficult: his old way of life is constantly reminded about themselves. His first race at 7 kilometers Shister miserably lost: he came to the finish line last, behind 72-year-old runner. However, after two years of hard training athletes took part in the New York Marathon and won his first half-marathon in Australia.

Significant achievements Christian today:

• 2003 - The marathon in the desert, 243 km, 12 place
• 2004 - Himalayan-stage race, 162 km, 1 place
• 2006 - The marathon in the jungle, 202 km, 3rd place
• 2007 - Antarctic race, 100 km, 1 place
• 2009 - Crossing the Atacama Desert, 250 km, 6th place

And now his personal top!

North Pole Marathon / Marathon at the North Pole

This race has been held for 12 years. It is the coldest marathon in the world. Distance length - 42,195 km, you can also run a half-marathon. The competition involved men and women aged 18 years.

With regard to training for a marathon at the North Pole, there are no special conditions are necessary: ​​you can train in the same way as a normal race for asphalt. But it is better to start in 15-20 weeks before the start. In cold conditions, the most important physical endurance and, of course, the right clothes for winter running.

The history of the race began April 5, 2002, when Irishman Richard Donovan alone overcome the 42 kilometers of the North Pole. Since then, the race is very popular, however, afford to participate may not be many. Too high price participation: EUR 11900 in 2014 for flights from Norway to the North Pole, the North Pole accommodation, entry fee, Helicopter flights through the neighborhood on a pole, t-shirts, medals, certificates, souvenirs, professional photo and video, medical support. Afford such a sum can not be many, so the number of participants in the marathon at the North Pole does not exceed 50 people. In just 12 years the race was attended by about 300 people from 40 countries.

www.npmarathon.com

Marathon des Sables / Marathon in the Dunes

For me - it is the greatest race in the world. And not only because in 2003 I was the 12th come to the finish line, but also because it is one of the physically and mentally toughest routes of the world. But in spite of difficulties and dangers, the number of participants rose past a thousand.

The marathon takes place in the desert in southern Morocco under the auspices of the country's king. For six days the athletes will have to overcome 250 kilometers of desert. Every day you must pass a certain distance and to keep within a certain time. The most difficult day - the fourth. It is 82.2 kilometers non-stop, when to go must also be at night.

Throughout the route the organizers supply the runners only water, the rest - food, sleeping bag, a rocket launcher, salt tablets, whistle, signal mirror - always have to bear. Acceptable backpack weight with equipment - from 6 to 12 kilograms. Believe me, after 10 kilometers in the scorching sun, the feeling is that on your back boulder. It is no accident the organizers recommend to add training cycle runs from 3-10 pound backpack.

Running on sand - a separate pleasure. By the choice of shoes in this matter is best approached with great care. I chose the ASICS GEL-FujiTrabuco. These are special shoes for off-road. The shoe takes into account all features of running in harsh off-road conditions and features loads on the foot when running on uneven surfaces. After all, the desert - it is not only kilometers of sand, but the rocky wasteland, parched riverbeds. Sole shoes should be strong enough to prevent injury from hitting the stones, twigs and other sharp objects. The GEL-FujiTrabuco overmoulded plate that protects the foot from impacts of hard objects, this additional protection is not affected sneaker ease. Often, the results of the race are directly dependent on the weight of equipment: the lighter the shoe, the easier it is to run, feel less fatigue and more energy remains for a victorious breakthrough.

I look forward to the stratum of Marathon in the desert.
www.marathondessables.com/en/

Everest Marathon / Marathon Everest

Most high distance, which requires a concentration of all the forces of the participant! Start Marathon is located in the village of Gorak Shep, at an altitude of 5184 meters above sea level, and the finish - to Namche Bazar, 3446 meters. Despite the fact that the race lasts only one day for the competitors start in two and a half weeks before the start. It is necessary for acclimatization. Arriving in the capital of Nepal, Kathmandu, runners every day raised to new heights.

Experienced marathoners overcome 42 kilometers of asphalt for a little over two hours. However, at high altitudes and specific relief, men rarely run out of the four hours, and the women - five.

At the world's highest marathon fixed date - May 29.

www.everestmarathon.com

Badwater 135 Race

The organizers claim that it is the hardest marathon in the world. Since 1987, the race takes place in California's Death Valley. The name of the competition received from the lowest point in North America - depression Badwater - 86 meters below sea level. From the same year in July, gives the signal to start.

Go 217 kilometers track is not allowed to everybody. By non-stop race at 60-degree heat organizers permit athletes having experience in the two races 80 kilometers, or at one 160. At the same time, each participant must be a group support on the machine.

Wanting to test themselves in this marathon is not a lot. Each year, 70-80 people come to the start and finish line, located on Mount Whitney - is 2548 meters above sea level, reaches less than half.

If anyone has a desire this year to go into the thick of the Earth, the Badwater 135 Race this year will be held from 21 to 23 July.

badwater.com

Jungle Marathon / Marathon in the jungle

In my opinion, this is the most extreme and most difficult race in the world. I say this because it has been 245 kilometers of the Brazilian jungle in 2006. 40-degree heat and 100% humidity is forced to work at maximum capacity. For a week it is necessary to overcome the rivers and swamps to wade through the thickets of the Amazon forest. Extreme race adds jungle fauna - scorpions, tarantulas, snakes. And from the collision with the inhabitants of the wild no one is immune.

To overcome the distance it took me 40 hours. When I got to the finish line, my legs were erased in the blood. I was third in the race, and this is one of the most expensive me victories. Not many dare to rush through the jungle: every year these brave men are not more than a hundred, but only half comes to the finish line.

This year's race will take place from 2 to 11 October. I'll be sure to keep an eye on her progress, and participants.

www.junglemarathon.com