1991
After II SIM in 1991 there came the idea of helding another running event - half-marathon race. The peculiarity of the new race would be the season of helding - winter, before the New Year. A lot of runners liked that idea, because it was an excellent chance for them to compete and keep in a good sport shape. The first winter half-marathon was held on December 29, 1991. And the first winner were Andrey Lavrikov (Omsk) - 1:20.55 and Galina Kuragina (Omsk) - 1:31.15.

1993
There were arcticles about the first winter half-marathon in the newspapers, and with their help the number of participants increased up to more than 200. The second half-marathon became not only Christmas one (it was held on January 7, 1993), but an international as well. Peter Loeffler (Germany) ventured to run the race and from then he was the traditional guest of the half-marathon. The winners were the same, but they improved their times: Andrey Lavrikov (Omsk) - 1:15.04 and Galina Kuragina (Omsk) - 1:28.51.

1994
The third X-mas half-marathon changed the course. The new course laid on the city central streets and there were seven loops of three km. Each loop was completed on the central squares, thus the spectators could comfortably observe the struggle among competitors. The number of participants rised up to 350 runners from 15 Russian and Kazakhstan cities. In 1994 the group of German TV journalists came to Omsk to make a film about the Christmas run. Afterwards that film was shown in Germany, Austria, and France. The new course gave new results: Vladimir Shtyrts (Ekaterinburg) - 1:10.55, Inna Kozina (Omsk) - 1:23.04.

1995
The IV Christmas Half-marathon brought suprises. Two runners, Vladimir Komarov (Omsk) and Anatoli Antonov (Cherlak), crossed the finish line together with the time 1:15.02. Thus there were two 1st places that year. Inna Kozina remained the best among women, having become the overall female winner for the second time (1:24.39).

Real Siberian

Peter Loeffler (in the middle)

Santa takes part

2000
The 9th Christmas Half-Marathon was held in the city of Omsk on January 7th, 2000, the day Russians celebrate Orthodox Christmas. More than 250 runners from Omsk and other neighboring cities took part in it.

Unfortunately, the constant participant and the old friend of the half-marathon, Peter Loeffler, was not able to come to Omsk due to the busy schedule, but he recommended this event to Jay Tuck, an American journalist working in Germany, who became the first American who ever run the Christmas Half-marathon.

The race day with its clear skies, and low humidity was almost perfect for a healthy and enjoyable run. Despite the temperature (approx. - 25 - 27 ^oC) all participants seemed to enjoy the run and the competition was very strong. After the Prize-Awarding Ceremony that was held after the race the Christmas celebration continued in the city's central square.

Jay Tuck