Baikal Ice Marathon Training to Run on Ice
Special 7 days/6 night’s package to qualify for Baikal ice Marathon
for XVII edition of Baikal Ice Marathon in 2021
We developed the BIM “Training to Run” package with expertise in mind to allow people who are physically well fit for running, but lack practical or certified experience in long distance running. This carefully designed package program enables participants to acclimatize in unique conditions of Lake Baikal northern hemisphere. Get prepared to run in the BIM by means of acquiring good load of the Lake’s tremendous energy grid. Through training in the run, “stretching the legs” while skiing beautiful Sable’s Mountain downhill, relaxing in one-of-a-kind Ice Banya, then have sensational feelings while plunging into the water of Baikal, enjoying Siberian special cuisine and soft drinks from natural taiga-woods berries…
Fully guided by best local expert in ice marathon running and professional English speaking guide.
Pound your way on the run across the frozen surface of the worlds’ deepest and oldest Lake Baikal!
Photos of this XV BIM special package here
Be introduced to your Baikal Ice Marathon trainer:
Mr. Arkadiy Kalikman – the 1-st athlete who ran across Lake Baikal 40 years ago– from one shore to another a distance of 42 km. Participant of all BIM editions, 3 times winner of the BIM, ran over a 100 marathons and ultra-marathons all over the world. Merited Traveler of Russian Federation and white-water rafts man, Active Outdoors, Sports & Eco-Tourism author, Executive Director of the Lake Baikal Guides’ Association, holding doctoral degree in physics and math Mr. Kalikhman published a number of scientific works on Lake Baikal, led several research expeditions in Siberia, Canada and USA. In 1994 took part in ultra-kayak marathon on Lake Michigan from Chicago to New York, and more….Specially for the BIM Training to Run Arcadiy Kalikhman developed well balanced and unqiue lectures and exercises that proved to be efficient tool for running across Lake Baikal in the BIM!
Below see the photo of 5-countires team ( Russia, UK, Mexico, Australia, Japan) that achieved very good success after undergoing the BIM course led by Arcadiy Kalikhman, last March. Among them was a young girl from Russian city of Kazan – Diana Ramazanova who succesfully made the 21 km!! – and was one of the first female half marathoners ( though she never ran before more than 5 km distance)!!
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" ...Signing up for four days of pre-race training turned out to be a stroke of genius. It not only afforded me the opportunity of scouting the lake in advance of the race, it brought me under the wing of Arkadiy Kalikman, our trainer, veteran of every running of the Baikal Ice Marathon and three-time winner. He gave us loads of advice about taking on this challenge and urged us to be philosophic in accepting whatever came our way. “Man proposes. Baikal disposes.” I expected to experience the great lake, I had not thought I’d encounter a man who embodied its spirit in every fiber of his muscles and bones. What a joy! Now 68 years old, Arkadiy zipped past me at the 15 km marker and finished an hour ahead of me..I also owe deep gratitude to the other runners who took part in the BIM training program.. We instantly became BFFs, did everything together and became mutual agents of encouragement and support.. "
- by Keith Gayhart ( participant of the BIM Training to Run on Ice program, BIM runner in 2016; read at the end of the program his great story about Lake Baikal., his experience of stay and Baikal Ice Marathon)
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SCHEDULE OF THE BIM TRAINING COURSE ACTIVITIES
DAY 1: February 23, 2021 – Tuesday
After open-buffet breakafst served at the hotel , check out for a transfer to the BIM training lodge located near Baikalsk, 145 km away from Irkutsk). En route enjoy lunch of Buryat National cuisine at the Golden Yurt cafeteria in Sludyanka. Upon arrival in Baikalsk check in at the cozy and comfortable hotel (rooms with private shower and toilet). Meet with your trainer for a briefing and introduction. Present reference from your physician stating you are in good physical health, and running in cold temperatures for over 3 hours non-stop will not do harm to your health (the physician reference must also have your normal blood pressure indicated). Then have a stretching exrecizes before dinner of local eco-specialties at the lodge followed by the lecture and video presentation on Lake Baikal unique natural features.
After breakfast – listen to the lecture of your experienced long distance runner on major running techniques in cold and extreme weather conditions. Then join the first test running session amidst the taiga-woods trails led by your trainer (7 km – no cutoff time). After blood pressure measuring have lunch. After lunch - transfer to a very popular Sable Mountain Alpine Ski center to undergo through another session of Acclimatization course on the slopes of beautiful Sable’s Mountain of the Khamar Daban Mountain range (your tour includes downhill ski or Snowboard package – please, advise us in advance of your shoe and ski poles sizes). After the downhill acclimatization session and plenty of downhill skiing return back to your lodge for dinner. After dinner –presentation of the video and running techniques on the ice of Lake Baikal .
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After breakfast transfer to the Sable Mountain Alpine Ski center for 2-hour active relaxation downhill skiing or snowboarding the Mount Sable’s slopes. After final downhill acclimatization and leisure session, drive to the world’s unique steam bath - the BAN’KA - Ice Banya Steam Bath located on the very bank of the frozen lake Baikal where the river of Babkha flows into It. The Ice Banya is a part of the “Ice and Flame” project carried on by a group of young people of the city of Baikalsk (to construct the ice banya lodge they use over 150 metric tons of ice cubes from Baikal. The ice banya has a steam/heat chamber, which can be heated in winter up to 120 ° Centigrade, relax and passage section and a pool- hole in the ice of Lake Baikal). Here you will have a steam-bath procedure with warming up inside the banya and cooling down in the Baikal ice pool, have herbal tea, and certainly, blood pressure measurement afterwards. Upon return back to your lodge have lunch. After lunch – meet for the pre-start registration in the Baikal Ice Marathon, XVII edition, start numbers distribution and final briefing at which you will know what distance you can wualify to run in the XVII edition of Baikal Ice Marathon "For preservation of clean water". We are sure that once you are moderately fit and had at least 5-7 km running experience before coming to Lake Baikal, you will be able to run in BIM the next day. You have had by now enough expertise and energetic load that will enable you even to compete with experienced half marathoners, at least, whom you meet today also at the brefing.
After dinner - meet again your trainer to receive his last instgruction for the next day great run on the Great Baikal!
Also, your other bylingual guide will by this time record for you special tunes/music that will accompany you the next day and encourage for a challenge!
DAY 6: February 28, 2021 –Sunday
XVII edition of Baikal Ice Marathon “For preservation of clean water
07:00 – move your entire luggage to the hotel lobby for its further transfer to Listvyanka (western shore).
After breakfast transfer to the start line of the XVII Baikal Ice Marathon “For preservation of clean water” 10:30 a.m. – start of the Baikal Ice Marathon, XVII edition.
After the cut-off time is over, the XVI edition of BIM is closed.
18:30 – Results Announcements and Award Ceremony followed by the Gala Party. Followed by overnight at the Hotel.
DAY 7: March 01, 2021 – Monday
Transfers from your hotel in Listvyanka to Irkutsk airport for your return flight home.
Have a Pleasant Flight back Home!
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The cost of the above 7-days package on all iclusive and twin room sharing with another runner is euro 1485 per runner or runner's accompanying person ( accompanying person/non-runner sharing room with the runner - euro 950 p/p). Single room supplement - euro 397 p/p.
Read a story by Keith Gayhart - participant of the BIM Training to Run on Ice program and twice BIM runner here
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Packages below are designed for those runners who come to Baikal Ice Marathon travelling a long trans-meridian distance, and prefer to get over jet lag adjusting their body clock well to new time zone of the northern hemisphere ( especially those coming from west) . We noticed that possibility to recover Chrono-biologically after a trans-meridian jet travel provides more opportunities for runners in the BIM to perform well during the run and avoid suffering from piercing Lake Baikal winds. Also, our special offers below enable to explore beautiful winter Irkutsk and Listvyanka on guided tours as well as suggests earlier pre-start registration in very comfortable conditions of the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in Irkutsk.
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XVII edition of BIM: 5 days/4 nights package
February 25, 2021- Thursday
Upon arrival in Irkutsk, transfer to the downtown hotel Check in followed by sightseeing tour of Irkutsk that includes visits to the city's most atmospheric site, and with lunch in the historical 130th Quarter ( Irkutsk Sloboda).
February 26, 2021 - Friday
After breakfast and check out from the hotel for a transfer to Listvyanka. Upon arrival in Listvyanka tour unique and very interesting Baikal Museum, which besides a large exhibition of species of flora and fauna has an aquarium with live Baikal freshwater seals (the world’s only freshwater seals and the lake’s only mammals). After check in at the hotel have lunch. The rest of the day is for you own activities ( you may go out on the ice of Lake Baikal for your first running session).
February 27, 2021- Saturday
After breakfast we will visit local Saint Nicolas Orthodox wooden church built without use of nails in the end of the 19-th century, that has a very nice iconostasis.
After the church visit we will explore the nearby premises of the Pribaikalsky National Park by Siberian husky sled dogs. We will journey towards the Chelpanov Meadows to have an exciting trail and thrilling ride in the great outdoors with spectacular views of the taiga-woods enchanted in snow, led by professional dog sledding mushers.
After the ride you you will have some time at leisure before BIM Pre-start briefing followed by pasta-dinner.
February 28, 2021 - Sunday
After breakfast pre-start zone gathering of runners transfer to the BIM stating line. Start of the BIM accordingly. Before 18:30 – end of the BIM culminating with award ceremony and reception dinner.
March 01, 2021– Monday
Enjoy your time before check out from the hotel and transfe to the aiport for your return flight.
The cost of the above 5 days/4 nights package is Euro 910 per runner. The cost includes: one BIM registration and start fee, transfers on arrival in/departure from Irkutsk, and transfer to the start of the BIM and hotel near the start, 1 night accommodation in Irkutsk Hotel, 3 nights accommodation at hotel on Lake Baikal; two set up lunches and two set up dinners and one BIM Award Gala Dinner; Siberian husky sled dog ride, services of local guide and group tours as indicated in the package, BIM commemorative souvenir and finisher awards medals. Single room supplement: euro 230 p/p.
BIM Runner accompanying person package– euro 575 p/p ( including four nights hotel accommodation sharing room with accompanied runner, transfers together with accompanied runner as above, hotel accommodation with the runner as above, two set up lunches, two set-up dinners and one BIM Award Ceremony Gala Dinner,
Note: The cost of the BIM runner accompanying person ( non-runner in the BIM) includes all services as above except for the BIM start fee , transfers to the BIM start, neither it includes joining the runner during the race on the day of BIM).
XVII edition of BIM 4 days/3 nights BIM package
February 26, 2021- Friday
Upon arrival in Irkutsk, transfer to the downtown hotel. Check in. Sightseeing tour of Irkutsk with lunch in the historical 130th Quarter ( Irkutsk Sloboda).
In the evening – 13th edition of BIM lecture and briefing at the hotel’s conference room. Pre-start registration.
February 27, 2021 - Saturday – after breakfast transfer to the hotel near the start of the 13th edition of Baikal Ice Marathon with lunch en route. Upon arrival – check in at the hotel. Dinner.
February 28, 2021 - Sunday
After breakfast pre-start zone gathering of runners transfer to the BIM stating line. Start of the BIM accordingly. Before 18:30 – end of the BIM culminating with award ceremony and reception dinner.
March 01, 2021 – Monday
After breakfast – transfer to the airport for your return flight.
The cost of the above BIM runner 4 days/3 nights package is euro 855 per one runner. The cost includes: one BIM registration and start fee; group transfers on arrival and departure as per the package and BIM schedule, transfer to the BIM starting line on the day of its commencement, BIM commemorative souvenir and finisher award medal, 1 night hotel accommodation in Irkutsk Hotel, two nights hotel accommodation on Lake Baikal; two set up lunches and BIM Award Ceremony Gala Dinner; services of local guide and group tour as indicated in the package. Single room supplement: euro 150 p/p.
BIM runner 4 days/3 nights accompanying person package cost - euro 495 p/p ( the cost including 3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfasts, sharing room with accompanied runner, group transfers as above, two set up lunches and one BIM Award Ceremony Dinner, group services of local guide, tours as in dicated in the package, a BIM commemorative souvenir.
