What attracts people to extreme sports? Scientists note that the desire to experience unexplored emotions pushes people to overcome new challenges. Successfully going to extremes provide a feeling of victory over oneself. Extreme sports expand physical and psychological boundaries by mobilizing physical capabilities to respond to hazardous conditions. Since the body produces endorphins – the hormones of joy – to follow adrenaline, an athlete can feel a surge of positive emotions.

The traditional Belarusian "Vitovt" marathon for runners and cyclists took place on 10 October this year, with hundreds of professional and amateur athletes taking part. Participants in the sporting event could see just how far bicycles have evolved, from ancient relics to the aerodynamic wonders of today. Team AsstrA covered 65 km on bicycles and shares their experiences.

Dmitrij Adamovich, System Administrator at AsstrA, doubted to the last whether it was worth participating in the cycling marathon. Rain and wind were predicted, but on the day of the event the weather was great.

Dmitrij Adamovich

“The route of the race passed through the hills of the Oshmyany Upland, so the elevation was constantly changing. We had long descents and exhausting ascents all along the way. But when you ride through endless fields with the beauty of Belarusian nature evident all around you, fatigue fades into the background.”

For Sergej Krashevskij, Head of Applications Administration at AsstrA, Vitovt was the second bicycle marathon in one month.

Sergej Krashevskij

“This time the route turned out to be longer and more difficult. The track was filled with numerous climbs, and overcoming each one was harder than the last. When after the ascent you began a descent, however, the dizzying speed put your senses on high alert. I was glad to see more AsstrA participants this time. Taking on mountainous terrain is so much more fun together.”