Tunnel vision: How a world record marathon shines light on mining

The World’s Deepest Marathon wasn’t a race – it was a 42km journey through darkness, run 1,330 metres below ground in Sweden’s Garpenberg mine.

Read how ICMM’s Josephine Robertson and Will Wardle joined a world record running marathon in a Swedish mine.

Friday 24 October: 12:00 CET

The flight into Stockholm was a perfect moment to reflect on why we signed up for this incredible event. Beyond the chance to become a World Record holder, it also provided the opportunity to challenge outdated perceptions by showing the sophistication of a modern mine including extensive safety systems. People we spoke to who aren’t in the industry have been amazed that it is even possible to run a marathon in an operational mine.

It was equal parts daunting and exciting to sign up for my first marathon. Doing it 1.12km underground with industry colleagues while breaking a world record added to the test. Marathon training is all consuming at the best of times, but it usually does not come with the added mental preparation of needing to run laps of a tunnel in the dark and without music!

Friday 24 October: 18:00 CET

During the race briefing on Friday we met our fellow runners and the support teams from Becoming X, Boliden, plus the medical, camera and film crews. The attention to detail from Becoming X was evident throughout, from our personalised kits to tailored hydration and nutrition advice, and the plan to capture the event including drone filming. After a thorough safety briefing from the Boliden team and a pasta-heavy dinner, it was an early night for the runners.

Getting to sleep was the worst part – but thank goodness I didn’t have to deal with jetlag unlike some of our South American runners.

Saturday 25 October: 05:30 CET

Trying to eat at 04:45 in the morning is always tough, especially when you’re equal parts excited and nervous. However, after a light breakfast and a very sleepy bus ride at 5:30am we headed 2.5 hours north-west of Stockholm and eventually arrived at Garpenberg – the world’s most productive zinc mine. Acquired by Boliden in 1957, the zinc mine sits in a historical mining region with evidence of mining being traced back to 400 BC.

After an incredibly warm welcome from the Boliden team, we then had our second safety briefing before being separated into groups to begin the descent. The descent itself consisted of 3 minutes in an elevator to 1,100m below surface, before splitting into smaller groups and travelling the rest of the way in 4x4s to the depth of 1,330m below the surface. It was then a moment to stress, stretch, and prepare for the oncoming challenge.

I was so impressed with the start/finish line – it felt more like a lounge than a mine. We had an individual kit area for each participant stocked with gels, bars, branded water bottles and towels. There was even a gaming set-up for SeaPeeKay to stream live on Twitch using the mine’s WiFi. However, when you turned the corner, the dark stretch of tunnel brought you back to reality.

Saturday 25 October: 16:00 CET

22 lengths of the 1.92km tunnel later, all 57 of us completed the marathon. A highlight of the challenge was running with people from over 18 different countries who all had their own connection to the World’s Deepest Marathon. While the physical challenge was tough, the mental challenges of darkness and fatigue proved almost worse- but we were overcome by the incredible support received from both the smiling organisers and perhaps less smiley runners (by the end).

This was the best-organised, and most incredible marathon I’ve ever run. While at points it felt like the tunnel would bever end, the sense of team spirit between the runners, supporting Boliden team, and organisers was phenomenal.

I was so happy to have finished my first marathon while also becoming a World Record holder! While a 2% incline is hardly noticeable on the first few laps, by the end it felt like we were climbing Everest. There were a few surreal moments when it hit me that I was running alone in the dark in an underground tunnel in Sweden, and it was very difficult, but everything added to the experience and I had such a fun time doing it!

Saturday 25 October: 20:00 CET

As people finished at different times, regrouping at the hotel for dinner was the first opportunity to come together as a whole and reflect on what we had achieved, as well as saying a huge thank you to the Boliden and Becoming X teams.

The excitement and exhaustion were clear amongst everyone, and comparing stories of our own personal wins, hardest moments and, of course, worst blisters was all part of the fun.

Sunday 26 October: 15:00 CET

Hobbling to the airport, it’s hard to believe that its only 48 hours since we landed in Stockholm. While the concept of an underground marathon might seem strange, it has highlighted incredible human perseverance, the professionalism and safety of the industry, and most of all the incredible sense of pride and teamwork held by those involved. It might be a while before the next mining challenge, but we hope more opportunities like this are available in future to portray mining in a new light whilst supporting two fantastic charities.

This was a truly incredible event to be a part of. To the Becoming X and Boliden teams, thank you so much for everything that you did to make the day a resounding success. To the masses of people involved on the sidelines who couldn’t be there in the mine with us, thank you for all of your time and support. And last but definitely not least, to those of you who supported us throughout or training and who cheered us on from the tunnel, the surface and around the world - our endless thank yous. Your support means the world.