Antarctic Ice Marathon & 100k

*A new Antarctic Triathlon and Duathlon will be added to the Antarctic Ice Marathon trip shortly. These new events will involve the disciplines of running, mountain biking and x-country skiing.

Adventure marathoners and ultra athletes are always looking for the next big challenge. It could be a remote desert marathon, a high altitude mountain marathon or a jungle marathon. However, mainland Antarctica represents the last frontier, the final great wilderness to be conquered. And now adventure athletes like you can do it. Introducing the only footraces within the Antarctic Circle....

The Marathon

On December 12th, 2010, the sixth Antarctic Ice Marathon will take place at 80 Degrees South, just a few hundred miles from the South Pole at the foot of the Ellsworth Mountains. This race presents a truly formidable and genuine Antarctic challenge with underfoot conditions comprising snow and ice throughout, an average windchill temperature of –20C, and the possibility of strong Katabatic winds to contend with. Furthermore, the event takes place at an altitude of 3,000 feet.

The Antarctic Ice Marathon is the only marathon run in the interior of the Antarctic and is organised by Polar Running Adventures, the organiser of the annual North Pole Marathon.

The eight-day itinerary will see competitors fly by private jet from Punta Arenas, Chile, on December 10th to the marathon location at Union Glacier. A marked course of 26.2 miles will already have been prepared and snowmobile support, aid stations and medical personnel will be at hand for the duration of the race.

The Antarctic Ice Marathon is the southernmost marathon on earth and a unique opportunity to complete a marathon that is truly worthy of the seventh continent. Don't expect to run your quickest time, however, as winds can blow from the Pole at a steady 10-25 knots. Also, forget about penguins or crowds cheering you along the route - no penguins live this far south and you will have to rely upon yourself to push onward in the hushed, indomitable surroundings.

100Km Ultra Race

The Antarctic 100k ultra race will take place on December 15th. Undoubtedly, “the world’s coldest 100”, this ultramarathon challenge is reserved for only the toughest of endurance athletes. The 100k (62.1 miles) distance will seem endless, run under a sun that never sets against the backdrop of hills, mountains and large expanses of ice. This race presents the only opportunity to complete a 100k event on the frozen continent and creates the prospect of a 100k Seven Continents Club for global ultra athletes.

For the registration fee of €9,900, participants will be flown round-trip from Punta Arenas, Chile, to the Union Glacier camp in the interior of the Antarctic. Competitors will also receive accommodation and food for the entire eight-day Antarctic trip and entry to their races of choice.

Please note: Weather problems can result in flight re-scheduling and the expected eight-day trip for the marathon could be shortened or lengthened accordingly. Wheelchair competitors are welcome to take part on a designated wheelchair course. Also, an 80-South Half-Marathon will take place if there is sufficient demand for the half-marathon distance.

Mountain Climbing & the South Pole

It is possible to combine your marathon trip with climbing Vinson Massif, the highest mountain in Antarctica and / or flying to the exact Geographic South Pole. There are very substantial discounts in combining these trips compared to registering for them as separate expeditions.

Contact Richard Donovan for more details.

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