Welcome to Antarctica
The Antarctica Marathon Package begins with three-nights in Buenos Aires for time to meet your running peers, participate in a few warm-up runs, and attend the mandatory race briefing and welcome dinner.
You will then be flown to Ushuaia, which is located at the southern tip of Argentina. It is here where you will start your journey to Antarctica aboard the Ocean Albatros Ship. Over the course of several days you will sail through the Beagle Channel across the Drake Passage, through the Shetland Islands and along the Antarctic Peninsula until reaching King George’s Island – the location of the Marathon and Half-Marathon!
During your travels you will explore the most pristine corner of the planet, coming face-to-face with Antarctic gems such as glaciers, icebergs, penguins, seals and whales. Historians and scientists will provide lectures on board your ship and you will experience wildlife excursions during landings in remote areas, such as seal colonies and penguin rookeries as well as the research bases. We guarantee that you will experience a most challenging running experience as well as an experience of a lifetime. Great care is taken to leave behind zero impact on the environment in this sensitive ecosystem. As part of this, we are restricted to having a maximum of 100 passengers ashore for the event at any one time.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE: Single occupancy on ships is not available. All cabins are shared. If you are travelling alone, you will be matched you with another runner of the same gender.
Booking as a single will mean you will have a single hotel room in Buenos Aires. The cost is included in the price of the single package.
- Packages Include
- 14 Days / 13 Nights Package
- Guaranteed Race Entry to the Marathon or Half Marathon (runners only)
- 3 Nights’ Accommodation at Alvear Icon Hotel, Buenos Aires:
Check in: 19 Mar – Check out: 22 Mar 2025 - 10 Nights’ on board the Ocean Albatros: Check in: 22 Mar –
Check out: 01 Apr 2025 - Arrival transfers in Buenos Aires on 19 March 2025 (if arriving between 8am and 1pm)
- Full breakfast each morning at Alvear Icon Hotel, Buenos Aires
- Half Day Guided City Tour in Buenos Aires
- Welcome Reception and Dinner in Buenos Aires
- Return flights from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia
- Return Airport Transfers in Ushuaia
- Three meals daily on board the ship, afternoon tea and happy hour on board your ship
- Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Reception
- Official Expedition Parka
- Official Antarctica Marathon Tech Race Shirt
- Lecture Program on board the ship
- Zodiac and wildlife excursions
- Ocean Albatros Staff Tips
- Personalised Travelling Fit Running Top
exclusive to Travelling Fit clients - Invite to Travelling Fit’s Antarctica Marathon Closed Facebook Group
exclusive to Travelling Fit clients - Representative services during the entire tour dates
- All hotel taxes
NOTE: Kayaking with whales (optional – at an extra cost). Payable on the ship
PACKAGE FLYERS
PACKAGE PRICES
The Course
The Antarctica Marathon Route + Course is finalised the day before the race, with participants navigating rugged terrain and challenging weather.
The course will start and finish about 200 meters from Bellingshausen, the Russian base and head east toward the Uruguayan, base.
There will be a turnaround point about 2 miles and you run back to the start area. You then run west about 2 miles to the Chinese base. Marathoners will run this three times. The final course route is measured and prepared the day before the race. The bases and scientists have the final authority to approve the course. Most of the course will follow dirt roads that have some small but sharp hills connecting the research bases.
Regular training shoes are sufficient to handle these conditions. Parts of the road were very muddy in the previous events.
This is subject to change depending on weather conditions.
Testimonials
Antarctica Marathon Race Information
Entry Fees
Entries are only applicable in conjunction with a Marathon package.
Qualifying Times
There are no qualifying times required for this event.
Start Time
The event will start in 2 waves (weather dependant).
Wave 1 – starts at 7am.
Wave 2- starts at 1pm.
Cut-Off Times
The Marathon has a cut-off of 6 1/2 hours (weather permitting). There is also a cut-off of 3 hours 10 minutes to pass the half way mark. Course marshals have the responsibility to disqualify any runner who might endanger themselves through fatigue, hypothermia or dehydration.
Race Timing
Not Applicable.
Race Packets
Race check-in and briefing with emphasis on the environmental rules and regulations governing this event will be held at the welcome reception in Buenos Aires. Attendance is mandatory for participation in the race.
Pace Setters
Not Applicable.
Aid Stations
Each runner is responsible for their own liquids. You should bring 2 or 3 water bottles for race day. NOTE: You can purchase drinks in plastic bottles when in Ushuaia which then serve to reuse them on race day. Also, bring any electrolyte replacement fluids that you commonly use. Only water will be available in Antarctica. Portable toilets will be available at the starting area. All drink bottles must be marked with your race number. Bring your own sports gels or energy supplements. All energy supplements must be removed from paper packaging and placed in plastic flasks or other containers that will not blow away. No light plastic bags are allowed on shore.
Personal Refreshments and Clothing
As per above – refer to Aid Stations paragraph, or you can check them through Training For The Antarctica Marathon + Recommended Gear for detailed advice on suitable clothing and supplies.
Transport
All transport on race day is included in the price of your package.
Expo
Not Applicable.
Finishers T-Shirts, Medals and Certificates
All finishers will receive a Certificate and a medal. The event shirt is included in your marathon package.
The top three overall for males and females will be recognized in the marathon. Also, the top two in each Marathon age category will be recognized (under 40, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70 and over).
Weather Conditions
Temperatures range from -9 to 1 degrees Celsius (15 to 34 degrees Fahrenheit) minus the wind chill which can lower it by about -12C. Snow is rare but light flurries are common.
