On June 22, 2024, the Energy Trail took place on the territory of the Kola WPP, the most powerful wind farm in the world beyond the Arctic Circle, bringing together about 700 athletes and more than 100 spectators and fans from 30 regions of Russia. The event was organized by LUKOIL, represented by EL5-Energo and the LUKOIL sports club.
The Trail became a historical event for all participants and organizers: an expert from the Russian Book of Records recognized PJSC LUKOIL as the record holder for organizing “The most massive multi-distance race within one day beyond the Arctic Circle in one location.”
A large-scale sporting event, which this year has brought together twice as many runners, takes place in the Arctic for the second year in a row. Among the Trail participants there are many athletes from the Murmansk region, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Cherepovets, Kaliningrad, Perm, Tyumen, Ukhta, Volgograd, Nizhny Novgorod and other cities.
The race is eagerly attended by sports stars. In addition to the President of the Russian Ski Racing Federation, multiple Olympic champion and world champion in cross-country skiing Elena Vyalbe, this year there was another guest of honor - the Russian champion of Moscow Spartak Artem Rebrov. The silver medalist of the Winter Olympic Games in cross-country skiing Alexander Panzhinsky took part in the event, like he did last year.
Traditionally, athletes competed at distances of 3, 8, 20 and 50 km, and a children's race was also held for young trail runners. Like last year, corporate relay teams were formed, their number doubled - 19, and included representatives of subsidiaries of PJSC LUKOIL and other Russian companies that supported the Trail: EL5-Energo, FC Spartak, Severstal and Kola RDU.
To commemorate the Year of the Family, the “Family Race” nomination was introduced. To become a winner, families needed to accumulate the greatest total mileage across all distances.
According to the results of the race, both residents of the Murmansk region and guests of the region were among the winners at distances of 3, 8, 20 and 50 km. Thus, the first place at a distance of 50 km in the men's category was taken by an athlete from the Chelyabinsk region, and among women - by a resident of Murmansk.
In the relay race, the first place went to the LUKOIL-PERM team, honorable second and third places went to the teams of the Kola NPP and EL5-Energo. The athletes completed 7 stages of the 50 km relay, despite the squally wind and icy breath of the Arctic that accompanied them along the route.
All race distances ran entirely through the territory of the Kola wind farm, which has an area of 257 hectares. Moreover, as part of the environmental policy, the tracks ran exclusively along roads and developed areas already existing at the wind farm to minimize the impact on the unique nature of the North.
Besides, in the starting town for participants and guests of the event there were food courts, master classes, a children's club, a mono-football court from the Spartak sports club and a VR zone with an interactive excursion to the top of the wind turbine. This year, the organizers provided the opportunity to participate in a thematic excursion, during which everyone could learn about the process of generating “green” energy in the harsh Arctic climate. And for those who wanted to share their impressions of the event, sending of memorable postcards straight from the Arctic Circle was organized.
Traditionally, all funds raised as a result of registration of race participants were sent to charitable organizations of Murmansk region.
The event was supported by Azimut Hotel in Murmansk, which provided accommodation for athletes and guests of the Trail.