CEO Tackles Treacherous Arctic for Charity

By SSC Laser Cutting
schedule29th Jan 16

After Austin’s race through the Sahara Desert in 2014 and then a similar race through the Jungles of Peru in 2015, it seemed to him like a perfectly logical thing to do in 2016… to enter a 230km race across the Arctic! The ICE ULTRA. An Extreme Footrace through Arctic Sweden.

The Ice Ultra offers an adventure over 230km of some of the most pristine snow covered landscapes in the world. With snow fields, mountains and frozen lakes, the Ice Ultra offers a demanding route in challenging conditions with temperatures dipping down to -30°C.  The area Austin and his competitors will race through is a UNESCO World Heritage area, so remote that snowmobiles are not even permitted to enter. With the freezing temperatures and various terrains testing competitors’ physical and mental endurance, the Ice Ultra offers an amazing adventure and one of his biggest ultra-marathon challenges!

It’s another self-sufficient race and Austin will have to carry everything he needs for the week on his back, except for water which will be handed out at check-points every 15-20 km. With just over two weeks until Austin flies out to take part in the adventure of a lifetime, he has finalised most of his kit and equipment choices, including freeze-dried food, a sleeping bag, safety equipment and a minimum of 1.5 litres of water carrying capacity. 

Lightweight choices are critical to stand a chance of getting on the podium at the end of the race. Running in Arctic conditions means extra kit is needed compared to his previous ultra-marathon races. 

Austin explains, “Layers of clothing, gloves and socks are critical to ensuring I stay warm, don’t freeze to death in my own sweat and keep all of my digits from being frost-bitten off!”

Carrying all of this kit and being disciplined about the way Austin operates during the race and overnight, all contributes to making an already challenging race considerably harder. Four hours of daylight per day will mean many hours running by head torch and deep snow will be a test for running in snowshoes. 

Depending on the snow conditions, Austin will be on his feet for between 20% and 80% of the race.“I am paying all my own expenses and am asking for sponsorship to support my favourite charities. All donations go to the charities.” say’s Austin.

See how to donate here: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=IceIceJarrett




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