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Athletes can race against penguins. |
For most sports enthusiasts, the concept of a marathon is often associated with smooth paved roads, cheering spectators on both sides and carefully calculated weather to suit the athletes. However, there is a marathon that completely “turns” those familiar things upside down.
North Pole Marathon – “the race on top of the world ”
Founded in 2002 by Richard Donovan, an Irish athlete and organizer, the North Pole Marathon is unique in that the race is not on land, but on moving icebergs in the Arctic Ocean, right at the geographical position of 90° North. Runners will have to run in temperatures ranging from -30°C to -40°C, with biting winds and an unstable ice surface that can crack at any time.
While a normal marathon has a winner finish in around 2 hours 5 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes at world class, at the North Pole Marathon, even professional athletes often take 4-6 hours to complete the 42.195 km distance. That shows the severity far beyond the normal standard.
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Athletes wear unusually tight clothing in the Arctic. |
In addition to the weather and terrain, traveling to the North Pole to participate in the race is also a big challenge. Athletes must fly to Svalbard (Norway), then travel by specialized plane to Barneo Ice Camp. All costs of participation amount to tens of thousands of USD, making the North Pole Marathon a marathon that is not only difficult physically but also requires financial preparation, spirit and strong will.
It is no coincidence that this race is known as the “World Marathon” – where every step is not only to fight the cold, but also to be symbolic, as proof that humans can conquer even the harshest environments on Earth.
Antarctic Ice Marathon – race between ice continents
While the North Pole Marathon takes place on the ice sheet floating in the Arctic Ocean, the Antarctic Ice Marathon takes the challenge to a whole new level, running right inside the continent of Antarctica. It is the only official marathon held near 80° South latitude, deep in the interior of this frigid continent.
The race was initiated in 2005 by Richard Donovan, who also pioneered the idea of bringing marathons to the polar regions of the Earth. The race is held near the Union Glacier Ice Camp, about 1,000 km from the South Pole. The temperature here is often maintained at -20°C to -25°C, accompanied by strong winds, making the reality feel much harsher.
What makes the Antarctic Ice Marathon special is that it is a completely uninhabited environment, with no major research stations nearby. Runners have to travel by special plane from Punta Arenas (Chile), then live in camp conditions. No spectators, no asphalt, just endless ice and snow.
Runners typically finish slower than the North Pole Marathon, averaging 5-7 hours for a full marathon. This delay reflects the extreme difficulty of the course, including rough terrain, deep snow and ice, and the absolute solitude of the “white horizon,” which makes every step a psychological battle.
The Antarctic Ice Marathon is not just a race, but also a symbol of human will in the face of the harshest nature on the planet. It is considered an extreme challenge for athletes who want to leave their mark in lands that almost no one can set foot on.
Antarctica Marathon – the ultimate challenge
Unlike the two extreme races in the North Pole and the interior of Antarctica, the Antarctica Marathon takes a different approach, harsh but associated with the experience of discovery and conquest. This is the first marathon ever officially organized in Antarctica, founded in 1995 by Marathon Tours & Travel (USA).
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Pictures of the race in Antarctica |
The race location is King George Island, part of the South Shetland Islands, located off the coast of Antarctica, where many international research stations from Russia, Chile, China, South Korea, Uruguay... are concentrated. This makes the Antarctica Marathon different. Runners do not have to live in complete isolation like in the Antarctic Ice Marathon, but they do have to face challenging terrain.
The course at the Antarctica Marathon is a mix of gravel, mud, snow, ice and steep slopes. The weather typically ranges from -10°C to -20°C, which is tough enough to be physically challenging, but not as “challenging” as the interior of Antarctica. However, the combination of rough, slippery terrain and strong winds means that it takes runners an average of 6-8 hours to complete a standard marathon – and some even longer.
In particular, to participate in the Antarctica Marathon, athletes must register for a tour lasting about 10 days, including the journey from Punta Arenas (Chile) by plane or boat to King George Island. The entire scale of the race is limited to about 200 participants each year, both to protect the Antarctic environment and to ensure safety.
The Antarctica Marathon is not only an endurance race, but also a journey of discovery. On the course, runners can see penguins, seals or giant ice blocks stretching out to the sea. The feeling of “running in the most pristine nature on the planet” has turned this race into an attractive choice for those who want to run and admire the “chilliest” scenery.
Compared to the North Pole Marathon and Antarctic Ice Marathon, the Antarctica Marathon is a bit more “accessible” logistically and environmentally, but it’s the sheer rigors of the mixed terrain that make it a true endurance challenge. The finish times are typically longer than either of the other extremes, reflecting a different kind of difficulty – battling not just the cold, but also slippery terrain and grueling ascents.
It can be said that if the North Pole Marathon is where people challenge themselves against the cold power, the Antarctic Ice Marathon is where they affirm their will in the extreme land, then the Antarctica Marathon is the combination of a fierce but also full of experiences race, where each athlete both conquers and immerses themselves in the majestic Antarctic nature.
Source: https://znews.vn/kham-pha-noi-vua-chay-marathon-vua-mac-ao-ret-post1589595.html
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