Ireland’s Keith Whyte won the Antarctic 100k on 15th January in perfect conditions for the race.

Ten competitors from Hong Kong, Ireland and the USA too part in the event, which was the first occasion the ultramarathon race was separated from the Antarctic Ice Marathon trip. Instead, the 100k athletes accompanied competitors who were embarking on the inaugural World Marathon Challenge competition, in which athletes were attempting to run 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days.

At race start time 13:00 GMT, the temperature was only -10C, there was no wind, and the running course of 10km x 10 loops was rock solid. With such mild temperatures and a solid underfoot course, the prospect of a new record for the race was always on the cards. Keith Whyte, an international athlete and Irish record holder for the distance, duly delivered. A dominant display of front running saw him coast home in a time of 9:26:02 hrs ahead of fellow Irishman Kevin McGeeney in 13:08:11 and Quincy Wong (HKG) in 16:06:25 hrs. In fact, all ten participants completed the event successfully, despite the temperature falling to a more frigid -25C ten hours into the race.

White commented "It was an amazing once in a lifetime experience. The scenery is out of this world. I am delighted to start the new year in this way, winning the 100k on the Antarctic continent".

Full results below.