Australia’s Aaron Crook is among just nine competitors in the daunting 6633 Arctic Ultra, lauded as the toughest footrace on Earth due to its extreme cold and wind. Having previously tackled the Marathon des Sables—a 250-kilometre journey through the Sahara—Crook is no stranger to intense challenges. This time, he will haul a sled over 620 kilometres of the Arctic Circle, facing temperatures that can plunge to minus 50 degrees.
With three years of rigorous training behind him, Crook dedicates six days a week to a mix of high-intensity sessions and recovery workouts. He views this adventure as potentially transformative, aiming to raise funds for The Sebastian Foundation and the Adelaide Crows Foundation, which focus on youth mental health. Each $15 raised will provide a school student with access to vital mental health resources for a year.
Crook acknowledges the physical and mental hurdles he will face in an environment so starkly different from his home in South Australia, especially after a record-breaking summer. However, his resolve is strong; he aims to embrace the challenge, stating he’s actively worked to prepare for the extreme conditions. As the race begins on February 27, he hopes to make a significant impact not only through personal achievement but also for the charities he passionately supports.