Runners pound the pavement at Pettit Center for Icebreaker Marathon
WEST ALLIS (WITI) -- Runners pounded the pavement inside the Pettit Center -- running 26.2 miles in the Icebreaker Marathon!
January in Wisconsin usually brings less than ideal conditions for runners, with cold, snow, ice and harsh winds. However, runners laced up their running shoes on Sunday, January 20th for the indoor Icebreaker Marathon.
"I can't imagine people training and being outside and running outside on a day like this," runner John Plotkin said.
"55 degrees and no wind adding distance to the race. It's ideal I think," runner Zach Bitter said.
Athletes ran the track on Sunday morning for over 95 laps. The monotony was broken up by hockey games in the middle of the rink and speed skaters whizzing by.
"You kind of just have to get a rhythm and not really pay attention to the laps as much. Just to have motivation by you non-stop is kind of an interesting scenario I think," Bitter said.
Runners said they were happy to get a break from the cold Wisconsin winter while still getting some exercise, indoors.
"It's horrible outside. It's windy and it's 10 degrees. You come in here and you run a race and you couldn't do that outside today," Icebreaker Marathon Director Chris Ponteri said.
The winner of the Icebreaker Marathon finished the race in two hours and 31 minutes.
CLICK HERE for additional details on the Icebreaker Marathon.