Demino Ski Marathon

One day before the most anticipated skiing event in Russia, the organizers of the Rostec Demino Ski Marathon are busy with last preparations for the upcoming marathon weekend. Demino will host the marathon for the 10th time. Though the marathon is quite young in comparison with famous European Worldloppet races like Vasaloppet or Marcialoga, it has achieved great results in the organization and got local traditions and atmosphere.

Big names at Demino Ski Marathon

This year will most likely be remembered by a spectacular ski struggle that we will see on the course. A big elite group of active and former members of the Russian National Cross-Country Ski Team, winners of Demino marathons, Olympic and World Championships stars will gather at the start of the Rostec Demino Ski Marathon.

Members of the Russian Marathon Team Raul Shakirzyanov, Konstantin Glavatskikh, and Alexander Utkin will compete for the leadership together with Mikhail Devyatiarov Jr., member of the Russian Olympic Team in Vancouver, Vladimir Mayorov, Champion of the Surdolympic Games 2007 and 2015, and strong skiers from Switzerland Sebastian Rauber and Frederic Grandjean, and Fabrice Courvoisier from France.

Rocheva is the biggest female favorite 

Olga Rocheva, last year’s winner among ladies, is going to show the fastest result again. It will be exciting to see if Natalia Zernova, who took bronze last year, can leave Olga behind in 2017. Yulia Surikova, World Champion in winter triathlon, is a candidate for the podium as well as Lubov Misharina, Champion of the Surdolympic Games 2007, Natascia Leonardi Cortesi, Olympic bronze medallist, and Lena Pichard, both from Switzerland.

While the marathon podium is still a question, the results of the 25 km CT race on Sunday seem to be quite predictable. Nikolay Bolotov, the winner of the last year’s half marathon, now has only one rival – Vasily Rochev Jr., World Champion, Russian Marathon Team Captain. Four times Olympic Champion Nikolay Zimyatov and two times World Cup winner Alexander Zavialov will support the skiers from the stands among thousand of spectators. Alexey Petukhov, World Champion, Olympic bronze medallist, admired by supporters in Demino will not compete this year but will accompany his kids at the start of the Baby-marathon on Sunday.

Big program planned

Skiers from 55 regions of Russia and 17 countries will gather at the start of the Rostec Demino Ski Marathon. The course is safe and sound thanks to good weather conditions, the snow depth reaches 1 meter on several spots of the course.

During the marathon weekend, Demino will make a traditional family festive with street local food, craft workshops, dance show, and open air activities. As usual, the organizers are preparing a pre-marathon Pasta-Party on Friday and a welcoming party for Worldloppet Masters.