Longest ice skating race

The `Elfstedentocht' (`Tour of the Eleven Towns'), which originated in the 17th century, was held in the Netherlands from 1909-63, 1985-86 and again in 1997, and covers 200km 124miles 483yd. As the weather does not permit an annual race in the Netherlands, alternative `Elfstedentocht' take place at suitable venues. These venues have included Lake Vesij„rvi, near Lahti, Finland; Ottawa River, Canada and Lake Weissensee, Austria. The record time for 200km is: men, 5hr 40 min 37sec by Dries van Wijhe (Netherlands); and women, 5hr 48min 8sec by Alida Pasveer (Netherlands), both at Lake Weissensee (altitude 1100m 3609ft), Austria on 11 Feb 1989. Jan-Roelof Kruithof (Netherlands) won the race nine times, 1974, 1976-7, 1979-84. An estimated 16,000 skaters took part in 1986.