Extreme sports enthusiast Yudiana Dian Fianto, best known as Fedi Fianto, is about to experience a new adventure as he will go as the first Indonesian runner in the FWD North Pole Marathon on April 9.

The 43-year-old regular marathoner, triathlete and mountaineer will join the 42-kilometer full marathon category, along with dozens of participants from across the world. This year, the North Pole runners are expected to race in harsh conditions with temperatures of around minus 40 degrees Celsius.

Facing the extreme competition, which will be held on the frozen waters of the Arctic Ocean, Fedi, a professional in a digital agency, said he had undergone intensive preparations, from maintaining his diet to keeping his endurance.

Over the past three months of the training, Fedi had also been closely monitored by a sports medicine physician from the Indonesia Sports Medicine Centre.

“I start it out with an easy run, intervals, repetition and a long run on the weekend,” said Fedi, an avid rock climber, at a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday.

“I also exercise [focusing on] strength and conditioning on the weekend. All this training is supervised by my doctor,” he added.

Joining the North Pole Marathon will soon be a new tick on Fedi’s marathon-related list, as he has run in the Tokyo Marathon in 2016 and the Bali Marathon in 2013.

He was also a finisher in the full marathon category in IRONMAN Gurye Korea in 2017 and in IRONMAN Western Australia in 2016.

On the mountaineering list, Fedi climbed Mount Ama Dablam in Nepal in 2013 — one of world’s highest peaks at 6,812 meters above sea level.

Fedi said the Nepal experience was a big help in acclimatizing to subzero temperatures.

Andi Kurniawan, Fedi’s sports doctor, said doing the extreme sports would benefit the runner in the upcoming North Pole race as his muscles were accustomed to vigorous physical activity.

“To run in heavy snow requires one to have strong foot muscles. Fedi is familiar with extreme sports [which is beneficial for him].

“Now, Fedi will have to do his best to acclimatize, because it is the important stage for him in facing extreme temperatures,” said Andi of the runner who was born and raised in a tropical country.

Nodding at Andi’s statement, Fedi confirmed that the acclimatization process would be vital for him, especially as he would race in temperatures 40 degrees below zero.

To support the acclimatization process, Fedi is set to train in Norway about eight days prior to the race day. Leaving for Norway on March 31, Fedi will make two stops for specific training in the country.

“I will go to Tromsø in Norway for a four-day training — I think it won’t be as cold as the North Pole.

“Afterward, I will go to Svalbard for another four-day stay. [In Svalbard] I will mostly do the acclimatization before going to the North Pole,” said Fedi.

As a debutant, Fedi has a realistic goal in the North Pole as he only plans to reach the finish line. He said a seven-hour run would be good for his personal best.

Irish runner Thomas Maguire is the record holder of the North Pole Marathon, finishing with 3:36:10 in the 2007 edition.

Fedi and nine other runners from six Asian countries are supported by insurance company FWD Life for the North Pole race.