The 52nd Tartu Marathon, held this Sunday in Estonia, was marked by unusually cold temperatures, reaching lows of minus 24 degrees Celsius. Although temperatures rose to minus 10 degrees a few hours after the start of the long-distance race, participants struggled against the cold conditions, impacting the quality of the refreshments provided at the service points along the route.

At the service points, prepared snacks like cucumbers and bananas faced the risk of freezing due to the harsh weather, which prompted organizers to provide warm sports drinks to help counteract the cold for the athletes. This situation highlighted the challenges athletes faced in maintaining their energy during the race, as normal hydration and nutrition options were compromised by the temperature.

The event illustrates the resilience of participants in extreme weather conditions as well as the importance of proper planning for contingencies related to weather during major sporting events. As the temperatures fluctuated throughout the race, the experience served as a reminder of the unpredictability of winter sports events and the need for adaptive measures to ensure participant safety and performance.