Bishkek (TDI): Kyrgyzstan is set to host its first-ever ultramarathon around Issyk-Kul Lake, one of the world’s largest high-altitude lakes, between May 5 and 10.
The event, titled the 1st Issyk Kul Six-Day Challenge, is billed as the longest 6-stage foot race in the world, covering a total distance of 460 km.
The ultramarathon race will take place over 6 days and 6 grueling stages: 90 kilometers, 74 kilometers, 87 kilometers, 85 kilometers, 79 kilometers, and 45 kilometers.
Participants will race on a mix of asphalt, gravel roads, and dirt trails at elevations reaching up to two thousand meters above sea level. Participation is capped at one hundred runners.
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The racecourse has been cautiously planned not only to circumnavigate the whole lake but also to showcase some of Kyrgyzstan’s most scenic landscapes, including the otherworldly Fairy Tale Canyon and the striking rock formations of the Seven Bulls.
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Alex Golowin, Race Director and Head Coach at Running Expert, stated that Issyk-Kul has been a place of power for many great athletes, including Olympic champion Valentina Egorova and Olympic bronze medalist Satymkul Dzhumanazarov.
“We at Running Expert have been coming here for years to train for both marathons and ultras. The working altitude, mild weather, food familiar to Europeans, and the beautiful nature make training here not only effective but also inspiring.”
Organizers hope the event will help establish the country as as an emerging destination for sports tourism, drawing endurance athletes from around the globe to the heart of Central Asia.
