For most people, outdoor activities come to a halt when temperatures drop below zero. But will you—a thrill-seeker with a fearless spirit—be the exception? On February 7, 2015, the 2015 KAILAS & Vanke Songhua Lake Ice & Snow Marathon, sponsored by the professional outdoor brand KAILAS, will kick off at Songhua Lake in Jilin. Facing temperatures below minus ten, icy extreme cold, biting north winds, unyielding determination, and a full 42.195KM marathon, there's no doubt this will be China’s coldest marathon event. The combination of all these elements makes the race extraordinarily challenging. Two hundred marathon runners from various countries and regions will gather at Vanke Songhua Lake, where the most resilient athletes will reign as champions of this extreme cold marathon!
As the official gear sponsor of the event, KAILAS has prepared a range of professional cold-weather equipment for all participants—lightweight, quick-drying, elastic, and warm. These gear pieces ensure comfort during the race while providing top-notch protection, offering strong professional support even in the most extreme conditions.
Ice, snow, and extreme cold—China’s first of its kind
Running through ice and snow, the runners’ greatest enemy is the extreme cold. Completing a full 42.195KM marathon under such frigid conditions will be an enormous test of the athletes’ stamina and perseverance. As China’s first ever ice & snow marathon, it will be a race worth remembering and treasuring for a lifetime. This event will also mark China’s first high-difficulty, large-participation, extreme cold ice & snow marathon.
Ice, snow, and rime—A unique racecourse scenery
The KAILAS & Vanke Songhua Lake Ice & Snow Marathon offers a completely different experience compared to city marathons, featuring its own distinctive atmosphere. Amidst breathtaking snowy landscapes, it becomes a dialogue between runners and nature. Participants will face tougher challenges than those encountered in typical urban marathons. This brand-new experience will be unforgettable. For the first time, this marathon combines with the Jilin International Rime and Ice Festival, merging with the fairytale-like beauty of the local rime, creating a one-of-a-kind marathon event.
Ice & snow vacation & themed dinner
On the evening of the race, marathon participants will gather at the highest point in the Vanke Songhua Lake Resort—the summit of Daqing Mountain at 935 meters above sea level, known as Jilin ONE—to attend an ice & snow outdoor dinner themed “Declare War on Extreme Cold, Off-Road in the Cold,” hosted by KAILAS. Designed by the American OZ Architecture firm in a North American mountain-style landmark building, Jilin ONE covers a total construction area of approximately 3,000 square meters. Not only does it offer panoramic views of downtown Jilin, but also sweeping sights of Songhua Lake’s landscapes. During the dinner, participants can enjoy spectacular performances while sharing post-race experiences and takeaways. More marathon enthusiasts will meet, bond, and become friends, pushing the joyful atmosphere of the snowy marathon to its peak.
After the intense extreme-sport challenge, participants can also experience international-level ski resort living at the Vanke Songhua Lake Resort. Here, athletes can ski on world-class slopes, enjoy the refined services offered by the Songhua Lake The Westin Resort and the ski-themed Qing Shan Inn, and savor local delicacies at the North American-style commercial street. The resort’s supporting amenities—including a visitor center, courier service, and convenience stores—add both convenience and delight to the vacation experience.
The KAILAS & Vanke Songhua Lake Ice & Snow Marathon will also invite numerous renowned runners to attend the event, who will share their hands-on experience of outdoor sports in extreme cold conditions up close with the participants.
Ice & snow gear, real-world testing
KAILAS’ new gear lab will launch free field testing for its full line of extreme cold off-road equipment. We’re calling on all of you interested in joining the snow marathon to apply online for professional gear and join us at the event for on-site evaluation. For details, follow the KAILAS New Gear Lab (http://www.8264.com/portal-topic-topicid-1560.html). We’ll regularly update the list of products available for testing—your participation is welcome!
As a professional outdoor brand, KAILAS has always been committed to “promoting the development of grassroots mountaineering and exploration sports.” Since 2003, it has driven public welfare initiatives including the “Unclimbed Peaks Project” and “Rock Climbing China,” nurturing a significant number of reserve talents for China’s mountaineering and outdoor sports. Moreover, KAILAS sponsors a variety of professional outdoor events, including mountaineering, rock climbing, ice climbing, and cross-country challenge races, making important contributions to the popularization and development of mountaineering and outdoor sports in China.
Event registration website: http://ice.dream8000.com/
Event WeChat platform: Shenzhen Mountaineering and Outdoor Sports Association
Event Weibo: @Ice and Snow Marathon