October 24, 2007

World | Antarctica

Cool Runnings

By Nicole Cotroneo

Sub-zero temps, sun-blinding ice fields and a $15,000 entrance fee: it's the Antarctic Ice Marathon.

view map

If the coldest, windiest and driest place on earth sounds like the ideal setting for a good run, then get your sneakers on. Only 25 maniacal hardcore runners will get to take on the South Pole in the third Antarctic Ice Marathon, December 12, organized by Polar Running Adventures (the same folks who do a North Pole marathon in March.) Clearly this particular 26.2-mile course is no jog in the park: think sub-zero temps, sun-blinding ice fields, and crisp, thin air at 3,000 feet. Plus, with an entry fee of $15,000, your wallet will need to go the distance too. Registration includes roundtrip airfare from Patagonia’s Punta Arenas to your Antarctic base camp, where you’ll bed down in specially outfitted tents and feast on Chilean food and wine. (But it’s up to you to get to the world’s southernmost city.)

During the marathon you can expect stunning scenery, including Antarctica’s highest peaks, but no penguins — life is unsustainable this far inland. So is this the most grueling endurance race on the planet? Maybe not: At 17,000 feet, Nepal’s Mt. Everest Marathon takes runners four weeks’ field training just to acclimate. But you’ll have to wait until December 2008 to conquer this one — all slots are booked for this year.