WELCOME TO GREENLAND
Ice as far as the eye beholds. Impossibly beautiful, blue skies. Incredibly fresh air. Musk oxen and arctic foxes on the stark landscape of the arctic tundra.
Yes, Greenland is one of the most remote corners of the world. Feel the soft crunch of snow beneath your shoes while running through the arctic desert and Greenland ice cap. Immerse yourself in this rare and exceptional natural beauty.
The Polar Bear Challenge will have you competing in the Marathon on the Saturday and the Half Marathon on the Sunday. Complete both and you receive 3 medals including the Polar Bear medal. This is the perfect way to combine a special running event with exploring one of the most remote and beautiful corners of the world. This will undoubtedly be the coolest experience of your life!
Travelling Fit is delighted to offer you a 5 Day / 4 Night Package plus an extension 4 Day / 3 Night Ilulissat Tour to experience the beautiful wilderness of Greenland.
Included in the package is a pre-event gathering in Copenhagen on Wednesday. Dinner and drinks will be served and race packets will be handed out to all participants. You will also have the opportunity to purchase some running gear. In order to go to this event you will be required to purchase an additional night in Copenhagen for the Wednesday, staying at Hotel Hebron.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to early/late flight times in and out of Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq, we strongly recommend that you purchase pre and post nights in Copenhagen. Please speak to our event team prior to booking your flights.
- Packages Include
- 5 DAY / 4 NIGHT PACKAGE
- Guaranteed Race Entry (Runners Only)
- Return flights from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq including airport taxes
- 4 Nights Accommodation:
Check in: Thu 24 Oct | Check out: Mon 28 Oct 2024 - Meals as per the itinerary
- Welcome gathering in Copenhagen (Wed 23 Oct) – if opting for a pre night in Copenhagen
- 2-3 hour Guided hike to Mt Hassel
- Route Inspection to the ice cap
- Transfer to the race start (Runners Only)
- English Speaking Tour Leader
- Celebration Dinner and Awards Ceremony
- Personalised Travelling Fit Running Top
exclusive to Travelling Fit clients - Invite to Travelling Fit’s Polar Circle Marathon Closed Facebook Group
exclusive to Travelling Fit clients
PACKAGE FLYERS
PACKAGE PRICES
The Course
The Polar Bear Challenge combines both the Polar Circle Marathon on the Saturday and Polar Circle Half Marathon on the Sunday.
Both races start about 4km from the ice sheet and follow the gravel road onto the ice cap, with both events take place on uneven gravel road and ice.
Due to the enormous powers of nature and the general retraction of the ice sheet, the exact distance on the ice will only be determined a couple of days before the race, but a 3km loop is the aim. Because of the danger of falling into a crevasse, it is strictly forbidden to leave the marked route on the ice sheet.
It must be noted that although the road is gravel, it is likely to be covered in a layer of snow.
With endless ice and snow as your backdrop, your run will never seem so short especially when passing glacier tongues, moraine landscapes and echoes of the arctic desert.. If you are lucky you may also see reindeer and musk oxen grazing along the route.
The finishing line for the Half Marathon is at Long Lake, just before Sanddrift Valley.
The finishing line for the Marathon is approximately 32km from the end of the ice-sheet in front of Polar Lodge in the northern part of Kangerlussuaq. The terrain is hilly all the way with the steepest ascents being the climb coming off the ice sheet and the approximately 75m-high climb 5km before the finish line.
Testimonials
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- Polar Circle Marathon 2016
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- Polar Circle Marathon 2018
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- Polar Circle Marathon 2018
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- Polar Circle Marathon 2018
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- Polar Circle Marathon
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- Polar Circle Marathon
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- Polar Circle Marathon 2016
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- Polar Circle Marathon 2016
Race Information
Entry Fees
The entry fee for the Polar Circle Polar Bear Challenge is included in the cost of your package.
Qualifying Times
There are no qualifying times required for the Polar Bear Challenge
Please note, however, that to participate in the Polar Bear Challenge, runners must be minimum 18 years of age on race day.
Start Time
The Polar Circle Marathon and Half Marathon are both scheduled to start at 8:30am
CUT-OFF TIMES
There is a 7 hour cut-off for the Marathon and a 4 hour cut-off for the Half Marathon
Runners still on the route after the cut-off times will be picked up by a race official or medical car and driven back to the finish area.
Race Timing
The races will be timed by Ultimate Sport Service using BIB-chip.
The BIB-chip is attached on the back of the bib number and will record each runners net finishing time.
Race Packets
The night of the 23rd October, all Polar Circle Marathon participants (runners and spectators alike) are invited for a free info and informal dinner at the Albatros Travel headquarters. Here you will receive your race packet, which contains your start number, race shirt, information on the route and more.
Any participants that do not make it to the dinner will receive their race packets at the airport on the morning of the 24th October.
Note: the actual Polar Circle Marathon package starts on the 24th October so if you are keen to attend the info and informal dinner night on the 23rd October, you will need to book a hotel room in Copenhagen for this night. Contact us for details.
Pace Setters
There are no pace setters for either the Marathon or the Half Marathon.
Aid Stations
There will be water supplies approximately every 5 kilometres.
All drink stations serve water (warm) and at selected stations you will also receive warm elder flower cordial.
There are no toilets along the route – meaning you will find a toilet … toilet paper is available at all water stations.
Remember that we run in wild and unspoiled nature and cups, empty bottles and other rubbish should be put in the litter bags at the water stations – please do not litter!
Personal Refreshments and Clothing
You can bring personal supplies and extra clothes for the race. Personal supply stations will be situated at the 10km, 21km and 30km mark for the Marathon and at the 10km in the Half Marathon
Personal supplies must be delivered at the starting area clearly marked with the runner’s bib number and name.
Be aware that any special supplies (gels, bars, drinks etc.) that you may need during the race should be brought from home.
While sports and running shops in Copenhagen will have a variety of foods and drinks for running you will not find such items in Greenland. Be aware that gels are likely to freeze…
Please note: Shoe spikes are mandatory for running on the ice.
In terms of clothing, there are no specific requirements, but the medical team and race officials do have the right to stop and take out a runner who is not dressed properly for the weather. We strongly advise that all participants follow the below recommendations and make sure it’s possible to cover all skin. The items we emphasize the most are: shoe spikes (mandatory), all-around wind protection, and no cotton!
TRANSPORT
Transport is included in the price of the package for all competitors on race day.
Expo
There will not be an expo.
Finishes T-Shirts, Medals and Certificates
All runners who complete their distance within the time limit will receive a medal and finishers t-shirt.
A small, symbolic award will be presented to the top three finishers in each race (marathon, half marathon and Polar Bear Challenge) in the male and female categories.
Finisher photos and other race images will be available after the race. Some race images will also be available in the gallery.
A finisher’s certificate will be available for free download after the event.
Weather Conditions
The weather in Greenland is always unpredictable!
On average we expect the temperature to be minus 15-10 degrees Celsius when the marathon is started. As the sun rises the temperature will typically rise to minus 10-5 degrees Celsius.
Snow may occur, but Kangerlussuaq is known for its stable and relatively comfortable climate with little precipitation.
Once again we stress that the weather in Greenland is unpredictable, so be prepared for even colder weather, strong winds and snow.
Others
Marathon
Half Marathon
