Romanian endurance athlete Tibi Useriu has taken a significant lead in the 6633 Arctic Ultra, one of the toughest ultra-marathons in the world, more than half-way into the race. Useriu won the 6633 Arctic Ultra in 2016 and is now running to defend his title and to beat the competition’s record.

Useriu was due to leave the fifth checkpoint, at Caribou Creek, while his closest competitors were 30 kilometers away, according to updates on the 6633 Arctic Ultra Facebook page, on Tuesday, 9:00 AM (Bucharest time).

The 352-mile race (566 km) started on Friday, March 10, and the competitors are expected to reach the finish line on Saturday, March 18. Tibi Useriu has already ran 205 miles (330 km) and still has some 150 miles ahead.

In the final stage of the race, the runners leave the paved road behind and venture on an ice road with nothing but white wilderness ahead of them. Freezing temperatures and strong wind make this one of the toughest races in the world and only few of those who take the start reach the finish line each year.

Last year, three Romanians reached the finish. Besides Tibi Useriu, who won the race, Andrei Rosu and Vlad Tanase also completed the race.

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editor@romania-insider.com

(Photo source: 6633 Arctic Ultra on Facebook)