Hurdles
We hope you don’t get cold watching this! Olympic champion Karsten Warholm turns a frozen lake into the ultimate training ground and hurdles across it in brutal temperatures.
"Just a normal training day in Norway," says Karsten Warholm after becoming the first person to hurdle over ice. The reigning Olympic 400m hurdles champion shared a video of himself lacing up his flashy spikes on a frozen lake, before sprinting over hip-high hurdles made of ice blocks, leaving fans shocked… or should we say frozen.
Warholm has never been one to follow conventional training methods. He's known for his explosive speed, relentless intensity and an approach to training that often defies expectation. But even by his own standards, this was unparalleled.
Warholm turns a frozen lake into the ultimate hurdles training ground
For this unprecedented training session, Warholm raced across a frozen lake, hurdling over man-made ice obstacles with remarkable precision despite the slippery surface and biting cold. With each step, he relied on specially modified shoes to maintain his speed and balance, proving that even the most unforgiving conditions could be mastered with the right combination of preparation, skill and boldness.
"It was surprisingly easy to run on ice," Warholm said after the session. "The spikes provided much better grip than expected and once I felt confident, it was actually a very nice running experience."
Frozen hurdles and fierce winds: Warholm's boldest training challenge yet
The setting was as harsh as it was breathtaking - a vast, frozen expanse just outside Oslo, where temperatures were well below 0°C and biting winds lashed at 54kph. Undeterred, Warholm lined up in his lane, braving the elements with his signature intensity.
This was a serious training exercise that required both precision and adaptability. Sprinting on ice presented its own set of challenges and the addition of hurdles intensified the test even further. The surface, slick and unforgiving, demanded near-perfect balance. The wind howling across the lake added yet another layer of difficulty.
"I do this because we like to train creatively and it really shows the sport in a different way," Warholm explained. "I also think it's a bit exotic for people to see Norway like this."
What shoes did Karsten Warholm use for his frozen lake challenge?
Of course, even the world's best hurdler couldn’t take on such a challenge without the right gear. Enter coach and long-time mentor Leif Olav Alnes, who helped modify Warholm's spikes for the task. Already featuring tiny rear spikes for traction, the shoes were reinforced with 9mm studs at the front, providing just enough grip to make sprinting possible on the frozen surface.
It was an experiment in innovation as much as it was in endurance. And for Warholm, it was also about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the sport.
Warholm's ice challenge: where creativity meets unconventional training
"What’s great about these sessions is that they showcase both the sport and the country in a unique way," he said. "This is a follow-up to the winter training we did in the snow at Bislett last year. I think it’s fun for running enthusiasts to see how we can play with the sport.
"Sessions like this won't win me a gold medal at the World Championships," Warholm admitted. "But the playful attitude and approach that Leif and I have already brought us many golds and will bring many more in the future."
Sessions like this won't win a gold medal, but the playful approach that my coach and I have already brought us many golds – and will bring more in the future
While many of his rivals focus on the upcoming World Indoor Championship, Warholm continues to test his limits in the most unconventional conditions. Running on ice might not be the key to a world title, but for an athlete who thrives on experimentation, it fits perfectly into his philosophy.
As the track season looms and Warholm sets his sights on yet another world title, this frozen challenge may not have been a direct preparation for the summer. But it was, unquestionably, the coolest hurdle run ever.
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