New Antarctic Marathon & 100k
18 May, 2005 - An amazing new marathon - the Antarctic Ice Marathon - will be held in the interior of the Antarctic on January 5, 2006. Run in the foothills of the scenic Ellsworth Mountains, this will now be the southernmost 26.2-mile foot race in the world and the only marathon held on the mainland continent.The race will be run at 80 degrees south in the vicinity of the Patriot Hills camp operated by Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions (ALE). Having purchased Adventure Network International in 2003, ALE is now the only organisation offering expedition support and safety backup to the interior of the Antarctic. The marathon itself will be organised and promoted by Richard Donovan of Polar Running Adventures, the organiser of the annual North Pole Marathon. Available places are limited.
With underfoot conditions comprising snow and ice throughout, an average temperature of –20C, and the possibility of strong Katabatic winds blowing from the South Pole, competitors are certainly guaranteed a genuine Antarctic marathon experience. The 26.2-mile circuit will meander along a marked route that encompasses a plane wreck, long stretches of open white terrain, and of course the Patriot Hills themselves.
Support personnel and medical assistance will be at hand and participants will be monitored for any signs of cold-related problems such as hypothermia.
The competitors, who will be flown by private jet from Punta Arenas, Chile to the marathon location, will also have options to complete half-marathon and 100km races on January 6th and 7th, respectively. While the 80 South Half Marathon will be ideal for those who fancy a shorter distance, the Antarctic 100k will be reserved for only the toughest of endurance athletes.
Undoubtedly, “the world’s coldest 100”, the 100k (62.1 miles) distance will seem endless, run under a sun that never sets against the hushed, indomitable backdrop of the Antarctic interior. The race will present the first opportunity to complete a 100k event on the frozen continent and creates the prospect of a 100k Seven Continents Club for global ultra athletes.
Further details of these races are available at the official Antarctic Ice Marathon website: http://www.icemarathon.com. The scheduled five-day itinerary costs US$14,000 and includes round trip flights to the Antarctic from South America; food and accommodation in the Antarctic; entry to all three races; and commemorative medals, t-shirts and souvenirs. A top sports photographer will also be present to document the events and details of a video documentary will be announced in the coming months.
For more details, see http://www.icemarathon.com.
Contact: Richard Donovan – Race Director
Email: rd@icemarathon.com
Tel: +353-91-566077