“I had two goals – to tackle those five kilometers of snow barefoot without freezing off my toes, and to do it faster than the previously recorded time. The first of which caused me more worry, as I can run the distance very fast, but I’ve had the freeze during trainings before this,” Rencis told LSM, who understood during the run he’d have no problem finishing without too dangerously frigid digits.
“My pace was good, my soles barely felt the cold, all going to plan. I’d hoped to run faster but the ice shards and clumps hidden under the snow didn’t really allow that. So the time result may not be exactly on target, but the record was beaten and that’s the main thing,” the unshod ice-hurdling racer said.
The Barefoot Runners’ Association counts 76 enthusiasts among its members and has been preparing for Rencis’ January 24 run for some time now.
“Last year we came to the stadium only to find it all melted away after seeing a convincing cover the day before. So it got put off a year, and the whole training process had to start all over again. Obviously you can’t train for these conditions in the summertime,” explained association representative Alīna Rence, glad to see the snow still in place for this year’s scheduled for Edgars’ attempt to set a new record.
By scheduled, she said she means “’There’s snow! Let’s go!’ In light of this spontaneity factor, thanks to all who showed up to secure observance of the official Guiness World Record qualification requirements, filming and photographing the whole run. But it’ll still be six weeks before the commission judges respond,” she explained.
As for Edgars, his prime gripe wasn’t the cold, but rather the sharp ice under the snow, but it didn’t deter him from his goals.
“I urge everyone to dare to try and realize one’s goals and dreams even if it doesn’t seem simple at first. Of course, always remember your own safety and health, so a thoughtful process of pre-training is very important,” he advised.
