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World's Deepest Underground Marathon Officially Enters Guinness World Records

18 Mar. 13:25

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A grueling race held in the town of Garpenberg, Sweden, at a depth of approximately 1,100 meters underground, has been officially certified by Guinness World Records as the deepest underground marathon ever recorded. The race covered the standard marathon distance of 42.2 km, but its location deep within the earth set it apart from any other sporting event in history. The lowest point of the track reached a staggering 1,118 meters below the surface.

To reach the starting line, participants had to descend into the mine via an elevator, a journey that took about three minutes. This depth is comparable to the height of Angel Falls in Venezuela—the world's highest waterfall—or the altitude of Ben Nevis, the tallest peak in the United Kingdom. Although the event actually took place in October of last year, the official recognition from Guinness World Records was only finalized recently following rigorous verification.

The record-breaking marathon featured 55 athletes representing 18 different countries. Since the subterranean environment was pitch black, runners were required to wear powerful headlamps to navigate the course. Participants described the conditions as exceptionally challenging, citing high temperatures, extreme humidity, and dusty air, yet they praised the unique atmosphere and the professional organization of the event.

The marathon consisted of 11 laps and served as a major fundraising effort, successfully raising approximately $1 million for charitable causes. Organized by BecomingX, ICMM, and Boliden, the event successfully surpassed the previous record held by the "Crystal Mine Underground Marathon" in Germany, which had taken place at a shallower depth since 2002. This achievement marks a new milestone in extreme sports and showcases the incredible resilience of the human spirit.

















Detroit High School Students Eligible for Up to $1,000 for Perfect Attendance

23 Aug. 18:09

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High school students in Detroit, Michigan, who maintain consistent school attendance can earn up to $1,000 in electronic gift cards. According to Fox News, high schoolers receive a $100 digital gift card for every week of uninterrupted class attendance. Students can earn $400 across four weeks, with total incentives reaching up to $1,000 during the 10-week winter period.

The attendance incentive model demonstrated strong results between January and March 2026, when approximately 12,800 high school students—representing 84% of the district's high school population—qualified for the payments. Concurrently, chronic absenteeism dropped from 64% to 54%. Following this success, the program has been extended through the 2026–2027 academic year and expanded to include students in grades 6–8, who will receive $50 for each week of full attendance.

The school district allocated $13.9 million from its overall budget to combat unexcused absences. The program maintains strict criteria: a single unexcused absence during any given school week forfeits the student's eligibility for that week's reward.