就在这周之内，两场大型的比赛在欧洲板块和美洲大地交替上演，一场是法国霞慕尼被越野跑者追捧朝圣的UTMB，一场是在美国波特兰再次被持续关注的超长距离接力赛Hood To Coast。

前者的热度已经火到不行，后者在沉寂两年之后又被中国跑步圈重新关注起来，目测前往的中国团队也将络绎不绝。前者有各国众多选手参加，今年中国选手就多达190多人，就像一场大Party，后者只能以团队身份参加，每支队伍12人，更是一场团队间的战斗。但究其本源，跑步还是一个人的运动，单兵作战还是团队协作，每一名跑者都是独立的个体。

而就在5个小时前，我刚刚离开欧洲的独立岛国冰岛，现在在芬兰的转机中完成这篇文章，而还有不到80小时，在那片被称作月球表面的岛国将迎来一场更为纯粹，更为寂寞的长距离挑战赛：Fire + Ice Ultra

关于这场比赛的认识源于在报名参加雷克雅未克马拉松之后，想看看冰岛这样的国家是否也有越野赛事，而当看到Fire ＋ Ice的时候就被它的各种描述吸引了：

关于具体的描述解释是这样的？

250km

To complete the 250km, 6 day, constantly changing Icelandic terrain

6 Stages

To run unassisted from the Glacier in the centre, to the Hot Springs near the Coast

Navigation

NO NAVIGATION REQUIRED!

Self-Reliant

Most importantly to earn this challenge you must be self-reliant, carrying everything you need: food, water, clothing etc. (see race info pack) for the duration.

Camping

The Fire + Ice camp team will set up tents for you and also provide hot water, but that should be it, this is YOUR personal challenge!

Safety

Of course your safety is paramount and my highly experienced team will have 4WD vehicles on the course and at manned checkpoints should you require medical help or assistance.

而官方用这样的文案来吸引热爱冒险之人：

Imagine crossing the ancient volcanic landscape completely untouched by human hand.

Brand new Volcanic landscape, now going where no one has gone before

Being one of a handful of people ever to set foot and maybe the last, previous competitors covered land no one will ever see again

Running through volcanic steam vents heading north towards the Arctic Circle.

Running along the ridge and almost the full circumference of a Dormant Volcano

Passing through landscapes only seen in Science Fiction films

2015年的官方照片中只有25名参赛选手，完赛结果未找到，很难想象在这样一个神秘而又复杂地貌的国家用6天时间跑上250公里会是什么样的体验，全程需要自我完成补给任务，没有官方地图，对于眼前景色的惊喜、对于恶劣多变天气的愤怒，对于未知地形的恐惧，各种复杂的情感都会在比赛中遇到，而赛后是幸福还是后悔，只有参与的人才会有所体会，而这场冰与火的体验是一场更为纯粹的挑战。明年的比赛时间是8月26日－9月2日，参考今年的比赛报名费2000欧元，如果你对此有所期待，如果你是一个喜欢冒险的人，去冰岛吧，去参与一场完全不同的跑步体验。