The warm up and the cool down are crucial to any exercise, but some runners at Kielder will be taking the cool down to new extremes…to a bone-chilling minus 125 degrees Celsius.
A two-minute Cryotherapy session will be offered to just 40 competitors at the Active Northumberland Marathon weekend (Saturday 6 and Sunday October 7).
Involving the use of sub-zero temperatures thanks to a unique liquid nitrogen cooling system, the treatment is said to help reduce sore muscles and aid recovery.
Worn-out runners at Kielder will stand in a Cryopod chamber, where they are exposed to extremely cold air for two to three minutes, which stimulates the circulatory, nervous, and energy systems within the body.
It′s fast becoming a popular part of training and recovery programmes, and used by the likes of Mo Farah, Usain Bolt and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Race Director, Steve Cram, said: "If you want know how elite athletes recover so quickly, this is your chance to try out one of the best technological aids around for Sports people right now.
"After trying the Cryopod earlier this year myself, I fully understand why they′re part of many top sports stars recovery programme…I felt great!"
Paul Stevens, from Cryopod, said: "The team at Cryopod are delighted to be attending such a fabulous weekend of sport and endurance. We love to help all athletes with their vitally important recovery. The quicker and better that you recover, the more you will want to do it all again. Keep on running."
Due to the amount of gas the Cryopod can hold, the experience is only available to 40 people over the weekend.
Usually costing more than £100 per session, the first six spaces will be offered for free to the male and female winners of the Active Northumberland Marathon, Half Marathon and the individual Run-Bike-Run.
A further 34 competitors will be able to book a post-event session for just £25 per person, on a first come first served basis.
Runners who want to brave the chilling experience can book their slot now, by emailing the Events of the North team at info@eventsofthenorth.com.
The Active Northumberland Kielder Marathon Weekend 2018 is delivered by Events of the North in conjunction with Northumbrian Water, Active Northumberland, Northumberland County Council and Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
The weekend′s events, which attract runners from all across the UK, are all based around Northumbrian Water′s picturesque Kielder Reservoir and waterside sites and include the Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k and the Run Bike Run.
For more information on the events taking place at Active Northumberland Kielder Marathon Weekend 2018 and to book your place visit www.kieldermarathon.com.