They are known for running great distances, barefoot, through the mountains in Mexico. But on Saturday, three Tarahumara runners from the Copper Canyon will be racing in the frigid temperatures of Churchill.

Albert Martens of Steinbach is directing the 6th annual Polar Bear Marathon through Athletes In Action. Nearly 20 runners will compete this year. In addition to the runners from Mexico, there will be nine from Manitoba, three from both Germany and Ontario and one runner from Saskatchewan.

Runners will take their marks at eight o'clock Saturday morning. Martens says they will have three different distances marked out for those wanting to run the half marathon (21.1 km), the full marathon (42.2 km) or ultra marathon (50 km).

Martens says a father, son and daughter from Copper Canyon are making the trek to Churchill. He notes those from the Tarahumara tribe live in fairly poor conditions, including caves. He notes they don't have roads or cars but rather have trails and their mode of transportation is their feet.

"They are good at running," says Martens. "The ladies they run in skirts and sandals and they go to school, long distances two to three hours."

The forecast on race day looks to be between -10 and -15 degrees, hardly skirts and sandals weather. Martens says once they arrive, he will help them find suitable running attire.

"I don't think they really know what they are in for, I don't either," admits Martens. "But we will take them to a store or whatever, we will see if they have running shoes, if not we will get them running shoes."

He says the Ramirez family is excited about the challenge.

Another one of the runners is Mohamad Ahansal, known as King Of The Desert. Formerly from Morocco, he now lives in Germany. Martens says he has had the opportunity to run with Ahansal in the Sahara Desert.

"He is definitely an elite runner, I think he weighs fifty-seven kilos and he runs like a very fast runner across the sand dunes, I've seen it myself," says Martens. "I wanted him to come to Churchill and he said 'yes', he's coming to run in the cold."

Ahansal is a four-time winner of the Marathon des Sables.

Martens says the closure of the railway to Churchill has certainly created some inconvenience for organizers. With three runners from Tadoule Lake, Manitoba registered, Martens says they won't be able to take the train to Churchill, so instead, it means added costs to fly them across. Also, he says the cost of fuel and food will be higher without the railway.

True to its name, there is a chance runners will see polar bears during the race. Martens says there have been recent reports of polar bear sightings in the area near the course. When the Hudson Bay freezes, it creates more space for the bears to move about. But Martens says he doesn't expect the bay to be frozen yet and notes the bears are hungry.

Meanwhile, Athletes In Action is planning a dessert night fundraiser next week, following the race. It will take place Wednesday at Steinbach EMC beginning at 7 pm. Martens says the Polar Bear Marathon runners from Mexico and Germany will be in Steinbach that night to share their stories.