Romanian athlete Tiberiu Useriu has already taken a significant lead in the 6633Ultra, one of the most difficult ultramarathons in the world.

The two other Romanians in the race, Andrei Rosu and Vlad Tanase, came next, according to a post on the competition’s Facebook page.

The race, which takes place in Canada, is 563 kilometers long and has its finish at Tuktoyaktuk, a small town on the shore of the Arctic Ocean. The runners must face the Arctic blizzard and freezing cold on their way to the finish.

Two days into the race, Tiberiu Useriu was close to one of the main checkpoints, at Fort McPherson, which marks the first third of the distance. He had a 21-kilometer lead over his followers, Andrei Rosu and Vlad Tanase, who were 1 kilometer ahead of the next competitors.

Competitors from nine countries started into the race on Friday, but some of them have already pulled out.

The Romanian racers are also in for a noble cause. Andrei Rosu and Vlad Tanase want to raise money for Padurea Copiilor, a charity involved in afforestation campaigns in Romania.

Romanians sleep outside during freeze to prepare for the world’s hardest ultramarathon

editor@romania-insider.com

(Photo source: 6633Ultra on Facebook)