Polish man, 46, sets world record of fastest barefoot run on ice

Durakiewicz finished the race in Lulea, Sweden on Feb. 16 in 1 hour and 50.29 minutes. He broke the previous world record, set last year, by about 11 seconds.

In fact, many athletes have claimed to have achieved better results than Durakiewicz, including Canadian runner Karim El Hayani, who ran 1 hour 36.45 minutes in March 2021. But their achievements were not recognized, as according to Guinness regulations, the record must be set in an official race, Canadian Running Magazine reported.

The Lulea Sea Ice Marathon is one of only two half marathons in the world run entirely on frozen sea ice, with the other held in the Gulf of Bothnia, which separates Sweden and Finland.

Participants face breathtaking Arctic scenery but must also endure treacherous icy terrain and subzero temperatures. This year, the temperature plunged to -10 degrees Celcius, colder than the seasonal average of -5 degrees Celcius.

The race’s official website emphasizes the need for specialized footwear for safety on ice and snow, but Durakiewicz chose to run completely barefoot.

The 46-year-old runner is no stranger to extreme challenges. He already holds multiple Guinness World Records, including the longest barefoot run (3,409 km) and the fastest barefoot Olympic-format triathlon, completing the event in 2 hours 57.40 minutes. An Olympic triathlon consists of a 1,500m swim, a 40km bike ride and a 10km run.

Beyond setting records, Durakiewicz used his barefoot run at the Lulea Sea Ice Marathon to raise funds for Diamond Soul, a charity dedicated to fighting substance abuse and promoting healthy living through running, fitness and nutrition.