2012 North Pole Marathon The World’s Coolest Marathon

Competitors will board an Antonov jet to fly to the North Pole Camp on 4 April.

The camp floats about the high Arctic Ocean near the Geographic North Pole and consists of a small cluster of heated tents and a runway for planes to land.

A dog sled ride on the landing runway.

The North Pole is not situated on land but ‘on’ water – frozen water (or ice floes) on 12,000 feet of Arctic Ocean.

A course of about 4.2km will be measured and marked out. Runners will repeat the circuit until the classic marathon distance of km / 26.2 miles is completed.

‘Leads’, or breaks in the ice, can sometimes be present and expose the Ocean below. If leads are plentiful, then the running circuit will be shortened to avoid them.

The extreme cold at the North Pole means that people need some warm layers of clothing when not running – long thermal underwear, warm fleece tops, a good down jacket with hood, fleece pants, windproof pants, and suitable boots for snow conditions.

Clothes to wear when running Three layers of material on upper body – a light thermal layer, a thin fleece layer and an outer windproof shell with ventilation zips. Two layers on legs – thermals and a windproof pants. A balaclava, facemask, neck gaiter, hat and goggles to cover head and a pair of gloves and mittens to protect hands. One pair of sock liners, one pair of wool blend socks and a pair of trail running shoes. Snowshoes are optional.

I don’t think they’ve noticed me yet!

Charge of the white brigade

Running by the camp

Having a chat….

Enjoying the hushed surroundings

It might be best to avoid that pressure ridge

It’s easier with company

The joy of finishing the North Pole Marathon

Standing at the precise geographic North Pole…. with Ranulph Fiennes (right).

All good things come to an end: Time to go home.

Richard Donovan Tel: RACE DIRECTOR Date: 5 April 2012