This was the generic response over the past year when I've told people about my plans to run in this Sunday's Siberian International Marathon.

This is a small 3* hotel compared with some of Novosibirsk's cavernous options, with 33 rooms -  studios, luxury rooms and apartments available as well as standard singles and doubles - aimed mainly at the business traveller. 

The hotel offers conference hall, sitting 120 people.  

There is a round-the-clock grill bar and several saunas with billiards. All rooms are air-conditioned, with television and minibars. 

Starting on 16 July, the leading Kazakh carrier will offer twice weekly connections with glittering capital city Astana. 

You've already run the great marathons in Berlin, London or New York, tried Paris, Amsterdam or Hololulu? Have a look at Omsk, Western Siberia. 

Norilsk is home to the world biggest mining and metallurgy complex, and is shut off from the world in more ways than one. 

Once I managed to make the Kremlin inhabitants to talk like human beings. But this time it was a wall far stronger than the Kremlin’s.

Once I managed to make the Kremlin inhabitants to talk like human beings. But this time it was a wall far stronger than the Kremlin’s.

New revelations expected as Novosibirsk experts share latest ancient finds with world's leading specialists.