"If You Run Completely Naked at a 'Bare-body Marathon'..." Unique New Year Events Around the World Where People Run Despite the Cold

Seonyang Bare Body Marathon Kicks Off in Daejeon on January 1
In the Netherlands, Participants Take the Plunge in Swimsuits

Despite the biting cold, there are people who greet the New Year with renewed determination by participating in nude marathons or plunging into the water in swimsuits.

In the Netherlands, there is an event called 'Nieuwjaarsduik' where people wear swimsuits and plunge into the sea or river on New Year's Day. Official website of the Nieuwjaarsduik event

On January 1, Daejeon City will host the "Seonyang Bare-body Marathon," organized by Seonyang Soju Co., Ltd., starting at exactly 11:11:11 a.m. On January 4, the "2026 National New Year Bare-body Marathon" will take place in Daegu. Since 2008, this event has been held every year on the first Sunday of January, aiming to promote a healthy start to the year and to strengthen participants' resolve for the months ahead.

Of course, "bare-body marathon" does not mean running completely naked. For the National New Year Bare-body Marathon, both male and female participants are required to wear shorts, and only male participants are allowed to run without shirts. Anyone who violates these rules will be excluded from receiving awards.

In Madrid, Spain, the "San Silvestre Vallecana" 10km running race is held every year on December 31. Participants can join the race dressed in unique costumes, such as Santa Claus. Official website of San Silvestre Vallecana

In Madrid, Spain, the "San Silvestre Vallecana" marathon is held on December 31, the day before the New Year, where participants run 10 kilometers through the city center in unique costumes. Emphasizing inclusivity, runners often dress up as cartoon characters or Santa Claus, among other creative outfits. There is also a separate division for elite track and field athletes. In 2019, World Athletics awarded San Silvestre Vallecana the "Gold Race Label," recognizing it as a world-class event.

Beyond running through city streets, there are also unique events that welcome the New Year by jumping into cold water during the winter.

At English Bay in Vancouver, Canada, the "Polar Bear Swim Dip" is held every New Year. Participants dive into the frigid Pacific Ocean with a sense of renewed purpose. This traditional event has been held annually since 1920. Those who feel confident even compete in a 100-yard (about 91 meters) swimming race. Last year, marking the 105th anniversary, 13,265 people took part in the event.

In the Netherlands, there is the "Nieuwjaarsduik" event, where people wear swimsuits and plunge into the sea or rivers on New Year's Day. It is a major event, attracting about 50,000 participants from across the country. Families often join together, shouting a countdown before running into the water and then enjoying hot food afterward, creating a festive atmosphere. The average low temperature in the Netherlands in January is around 0.5 degrees Celsius. Because the sea and river water are so cold, organizers deploy safety personnel around the event sites to prepare for any sudden accidents.