Inside the Garpenberg zinc mine, the site of the world's deepest underground marathon. Photo: World's Deepest Marathon

This is the challenge known as the World’s Deepest Marathon, initiated by renowned adventurer Bear Grylls and the BecomingX organization.

On 25/10, 60 amateur athletes from around the world will participate in this unique event at the Garpenberg zinc mine (Sweden), one of Europe's deepest and most modern mines.

The course is located 1,120 meters underground, four times the height of the Eiffel Tower and deeper than the bottom of the North Sea. Participants will complete 18 laps of a 2.4 km tunnel loop in the absence of natural light, with temperatures reaching 28 degrees Celsius and high humidity.

Garpenberg is one of Sweden's oldest mines, dating back to 350 BC. Photo: World's Deepest Marathon

The goal of the race is not only to test human limits but also to break two Guinness World Records and raise over 1 million USD for charity.

Paul Gurney, co-founder of BecomingX, shared, "Imagine running on a treadmill in the dark, with only a headlamp, rising temperatures, and stifling air. It's one of the most mentally demanding challenges a person can face."

Underground runs are not new; 100 British runners completed 91 laps in a World War II bomb shelter in Portsmouth last year. But Garpenberg is a different story. It's a working mine that extracts over 3.5 million tons of zinc, lead, silver, and gold annually, with a history dating back to 350 BC.

Athletes will descend hundreds of meters by elevator, then continue by specialized vehicles to the starting point at the record depth. Notably, most participants have never run a marathon, but all will become world record holders if they finish.

Participants will run 18 lengths of a dark tunnel. Photo: World's Deepest Marathon

Among the notable participants are Toni-Ivana Awofeso and Claire-Marie Rozario from the Alpine Run Project, a sports movement founded by former inmate and now Ironman John McAvoy, aimed at introducing urban youth to outdoor challenges.

23-year-old Claire admitted concerns about mental endurance: "Each lap will be like a temptation to stop. At 30 km, even just stopping for a drink can make you think, 'I want to quit.'"

Former British Special Air Service (SAS) soldier, Bear Grylls, is known globally for his survival television series. Photo: NBC

Bear Grylls emphasized, "This is a true test of willpower and physical strength. It's not just about breaking records, but demonstrating human potential when daring to enter uncharted darkness."

50-year-old Bear Grylls, a former British SAS soldier, is globally recognized for his survival TV shows like "Man vs. Wild" and "Running Wild with Bear Grylls." He is seen as a symbol of resilience and the ability to conquer nature's toughest challenges.

Beyond television, Grylls is a best-selling author, motivational speaker, and former Chief Scout. His involvement with the underground marathon adds to the event's drama and appeal.

Hong Duy (according to The Sun)