Paolo Venturini, 49, an Italian runner and adventurer who took part in the Silk Road Ultra-Marathon held last year in the province of Kerman, is planning to return and set a Guinness world record.
In his previous visit to Iran, after he raced across Shahdad Desert, a western fringe of Lut Desert, he decided to come back to Lut and try his feet at a place said to be the hottest on Earth, Mehr News Agency reported.
The place whose hostile heat has acquired global fame is called Gandom-Beryan (Scorched Wheat). At 56 meters above sea level, it is the lowest region of Iran.
Gandom-Beryan was announced the hottest place on Earth in 2004 and 2005 as the result of a mission on mapping of the soil surface temperature, performed with NASA’s satellite ‘Aqua.’
The place is often at the peak of its heat in mid-July, and that’s when Venturini plans to visit the plateau.
The Italian has picked July 21 for his daring performance. Each year, on the days around the chosen date, temperatures often reach 71°C in Gandom-Beryan. He is planning to run 80 km on the dark lava, the source of which is a bit of mystery as there are no volcanoes in the vicinity.
Though adventurous in spirit, Venturini has considered a preparatory four-day stay to acclimatize himself to the hot desert. He has also thought of recovery time after the harsh run.
Two Guinness representatives will accompany him to record the 80-km run on the earth’s hottest surface. Also a cameraman from Italian satellite TV channels of ‘Sky Sport’ will be present.
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