The Antarctic Ice Marathon is the world’s southernmost marathon. It has taken place in Antarctica annually since 2005.
Surprisingly, the Antarctic Ice Marathon isn’t the only major sports event taking place on the world’s seventh continent. In recent years, we’ve also see the rise in popularity of the Antarctic 100K, a 100km race across Antarctica. There’s even an Antarctic triathlon.
What drives people to participate in the Antarctic Ice Marathon? How much does it cost? Is it safe? Fun? Enjoyable in any way? Today, we’re answering all the questions you never knew you had about the Antarctic Ice Marathon.
1) It’s the Only Marathon Event within the Antarctic Circle on Mainland Antarctica
Very few people in the world can even say they’ve been to Antarctica. Fewer people can say they’ve run a marathon in Antarctica.
The Antarctic Ice Marathon is the world’s only marathon event within the Antarctic Circle on mainland Antarctica.
The nearest marathon, in fact, is approximately 2000km north.
This isn’t some tiny race put on by researchers at scientific bases in Antarctica. Instead, it’s a fully-legitimate marathon. The race is a full member of the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS). It’s also recognized by an organization you’re more likely to have heard of, the Guinness World Records.
The race is operated by Polar Running Adventures and Richard Donovan.
2) People Have Set Marathon Records at the Antarctic Ice Marathon
One of the most interesting facts about the Antarctic Ice Marathon is the fact that people have legitimately won records while running the marathon.
As you may have guessed, these people have not achieved speed or time records at the marathon. Instead, the records set at the event include:
-Shortest duration for a runner to complete a marathon on all seven continents (both male and female)
-Youngest runners to run a marathon on all seven continents (both male and female)
3) Running the Race Isn’t as Complicated as You Think
You’d think the Antarctic Ice Marathon would come with a long list of restrictions and rules. However, it’s not really that hard (you just need a lot of money, as you’ll learn below).
Aside from paying for it and running it, the hardest part of the Antarctic Ice Marathon is getting past the waiting list. 2016’s runner slots filled up quickly. However, 2017’s slots are still open. Joining the next year’s races will also put you on the waiting list for the current year’s races, if they have not yet taken place.
Here’s the simple two step process:
Step 1) Complete the application form on this page, and agree to the Terms and Conditions
Step 2) Pay the full entry fee or deposit
The race is limited according to aircraft capacity constraints. Places are allotted to competitors and members of the media on a first-come, first-served basis.
The rules are pretty straightforward. They’re similar to the rules you’d find on most marathons north of Antarctica. Rules include respecting the final decisions of the Race Director, and giving participants a time limit to complete the races (6 hours for the half marathon, 10 hours for the marathon, and 24 hours for the 100km race).
The only real unique rule is that Polar Running Adventures “reserves the right to refuse entry to the race if an intending participant is deemed unsuitable for the event.” That includes “any athlete who exhibits severe conditions that are deemed detrimental to their health”. These athletes may be withdrawn from the race or stopped temporarily while appropriate treatment is administered.
4) There Are Multiple Races Available in Antarctica
Are marathons too boring for you? The Antarctic Ice Marathon isn’t the only race event in Antarctica. Other events include:
-Antarctic 100K: Yes, this is a 100km race across Antarctica. It takes place on separate dates from the marathon and half marathon.
-Frozen Continent Half Marathon: Don’t think you can survive a full marathon on the world’s coldest continent? The Frozen Continent Half Marathon might be the right choice for you.
5) Yes, It Costs a Lot of Money
You knew running a race on the world’s southernmost continent wasn’t going to be cheap, right?
The total fee is EUR 13,800 ($14,700 USD)
That fee drops to EUR 13,500 if you’re paying in full upon registration. If you’re not paying in full, then you pay a EUR 4,600 deposit today to reserve your place, then pay two more payments of EUR 4,600 by specific deadlines.
After you’ve paid your fee, you can choose to run in the marathon, half marathon, or 100K. There are hefty cancellation fees, as you can imagine. The race can also be canceled or rescheduled with limited warning due to weather events.
6) When It Takes Place
The Antarctic Ice Marathon and associated events take place on a specific schedule. Here’s the schedule breakdown for the 2017 events:
Antarctic 100K (January 2017)
-January 18: Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile
-January 19: Pre-departure briefings take place throughout the day
-January 20: Flight to 100K location (Union Glacier, Antarctica)
-January 21: Antarctic 100K takes place all day (you have 24 hours to complete the race)
-January 22: Recovery day
-January 23: Return flight to Punta Arenas, Chile
-January 24: Departure to homeland
Antarctic Ice Marathon / Half Marathon (November 2017)
-November 21: Arrive in Punta Arenas, Chile
-November 22: Pre-departure briefings
-November 23: Flight to marathon location (Union Glacier, Antarctica)
-November 24: Antarctic Ice Marathon / Half Marathon
-November 25: Recovery day
-November 26: Return flight to Punta Arenas, Chile
-November 27: Departure to homeland
The 100K and Marathon/Half Marathon are two separate events that take place on totally separate dates.
7) Runners Become Part of the Exclusive 7 Continents Marathon Club
Have you run a marathon on all 7 continents? Probably not. It’s a club with less than 200 members. As of October 30, 2016, there were 126 males and 33 female members of the 7 Continents Marathon Club.
The Club is reserved for athletes who have run a marathon within the Antarctic Circle on the Antarctic Content, as well as completing one marathon on each of the other seven continents.
The race’s official website, IceMarathon.com, publishes a list of rules and restrictions regarding membership in the 7 Continents Marathon Club.
You can even see a list of every single member of the exclusive club, which includes runners from all over the world. The names are all published at this page here.
Interested in the Antarctic Ice Marathon? You can learn more about this totally-unique event at www.icemarathon.com. If you’ve ever wanted to run a marathon in a location where temperatures can drop to 40 below (in the summer), and your expedition can be stranded for days on an ice sheet, then the Antarctic Ice Marathon is the event you’ve been waiting for.
