The Antarctic Ice Marathon ®️ is run over the classic 42.195km (26.2 miles) marathon distance. The race encompasses an individual competition, with male and female divisions. There is also an option to run a half marathon - the Frozen Continent Half Marathon - which commences at the same time as the marathon.

summary facts about the ICE marathon

  • Member of the Association of International Marathons & Distances Races.
  • Recognised by Guinness World Records as the Southernmost Marathon on Earth.
  • One of only two official running events within the Antarctic Circle on mainland Antarctica. The Antarctica Intercontinental Marathon (operated with the World Marathon Challenge) is the only other marathon event on the continent. Other races take place in the more temperate climate of islands near South America, outside the Antarctic Circle.
  • The iconic Marathon Flame was brought to the 2012 Antarctic Ice Marathon by UNICEF ambassador Nasos Ktoridis.
  • A documentary on the 2010 Antarctic Ice Marathon was nominated for an International Emmy Award.
  • There have been eighteen Antarctic Ice Marathon races to date.
  • It's impossible to predict winning times because weather conditions and terrain are variable from one year to the next.
  • The men's event record of 2:53:33 was set by Sean Tobin (IRL) in 2022. The time is also an Antarctica Continental Record.
  • The women's event record of 4:06:11 was set by Evija Reine (LVA) in 2021.
  • The race was initially operated at Patriot Hills, Antarctica but changed to Union Glacier, Antarctica in 2010.
  • In 2007, William Tan - a wheelchair competitor - completed a marathon distance on the aircraft runway.
  • The oldest man to complete the Antarctic Ice Marathon is 84-year-old Roy Svenningsen (CAN) in 2019.
  • The oldest woman to complete the Antarctic Ice Marathon is 69-year-old Christine Hobson (GBR) in 2022.
  • Participants are eligible to join the exclusive 7 Continents Marathon Club by finishing the Ice Marathon in addition to marathons on each of the other six continents.
  • The sister race of the Antarctic Ice Marathon is the North Pole Marathon, which is the Northernmost Marathon on Earth.

antarctic
ice marathon

register now