Ski Marathon of the Festival of the North is among Russia’s top five ski marathons in terms of organization and number of contestants. This was stated by the Governor Marina Kovtun during the operational meeting. "March goes in the Murmansk region under the sign of Polar Olympics. This is a big sports festival, which as usual will be crowned by the ski marathon. The 42nd marathon will start on March 28 at 11.00 in the Dolina Uyuta (Training and Sports Center in Murmansk). This marathon due to its quality and number of contestants is among Russia’s top five ski marathons,” Marina Kovtun noted. Chairman of the Committee of physical culture and sports of the Murmansk region Svetlana Naumova said that about 1,300 amateurs and professionals from different countries will gather in Murmansk “Dolina Uyuta” to overcome the 50-kilometer distance of the marathon. The fact that this year the marathon was included in a series of international marathons “Euroloppet” will promote the marathon on the international level, Svetlana Naumova added. Svetlana Naumova noted also that the "equator" of the 81st Festival of the North has already passed: six of its activities were held. They were attended by more than 3,600 athletes and sportsmen from 23 regions of Russia, as well as the Republic of Belarus, Norway, Finland, Sweden and Germany. There will be 6 sports competitions of the Festival of the North next week: speed skating, skiing, national sports, bocce and other sports. Head of the region Marina Kovtun stressed that this year athletes and sportsmen with disabilities became active participants of the Festival of the North. "Festival of the North expands its boundaries. Participation of athletes with disabilities in the Polar Olympics is very symbolic and undoubtedly correct," Marina Kovtun said. Rewarding of absolute champions of the Polar Olympics will be held at the closing ceremony of the Festival on March 28.
