Home of the first Antarctica Athletics Federation Championships
A variety of Antarctic Polar Race events to choose from, including
1 MILE & 10km RACES
HALF MARATHON (21.1km)
MARATHON (42.2km)
ULTRAMARATHON (100km)
100 MILES
CYCLING / DUATHLON
The Details
Dates:
17 - 22 November, 2024
Participants must arrive in Cape Town by 17 November 2024. We fly to the race location on 19 November and return to Cape Town on 22 November. There is also an option to run a marathon in Cape Town on 23 November at no extra cost.
Location:
We land on an international runway in Maud Land and are transported to a special Athletes’ Village nearby. The location is adjacent to a unique ‘ice wall’, a majestic example of a windswept ice cliff shaped into a dramatic formation.
Cost:
The cost of this unique adventure is EUR 17,900*, and includes round trip flights from Cape Town to Antarctica, three days on the ice, entry to the race(s) of your choice, accommodation and food in Antarctica, and medical evacuation insurance. *There is a discount of EUR 1,000 if paying in full upon registration.
South Pole:
There is also an option to travel to the South Pole during your stay in Antarctica. Contact us for details of this fantastic add-on trip to the southernmost point on the planet.
How we get you to Antarctica
You’ll meet us at our event HQ in Cape Town, South Africa and travel to Antarctica. Flight time is approximately 5 hours.
About the organisers
Polar Running Adventures™ has pioneered polar running over the past 20 years, bringing 1,400 adventure athletes from 70 countries to the most remote locations on the planet.
RICHARD DONOVAN - RACE DIRECTOR
Richard Donovan is the Race Director at Polar Running Adventures. He has completed 40 trips as organiser and group leader to the North Pole and Antarctica. In 2002, he became the first person in history to run marathons at both the North and South Poles. In 2012, he set a world record for running marathons on all 7 continents in 4 days 22 hours 3 minutes. He has also completed transcontinental runs across Europe (2016), South America (2017), and the USA, twice (2015 & 2022).
A Race Director at numerous Commonwealth and World Championship ultramarathon events, Richard has additionally competed for Ireland at international level. He holds a primary degree in Classics, two postgraduate degrees in Economics, and a Doctorate l.c. in Project Management. Richard most recently co-founded the Space Athletics Federation®.
Antarctica Athletics Federation
The Antarctica Athletics Federation® is the governing body for athletics performances in Antarctica. The Federation also monitors records in the Arctic, specifically at the North Pole.
Polar Marathon Club
The Polar Marathon Club is operated by Polar Running Adventures and recognises those who have run in Antarctica and the Arctic / North Pole. Members of the Polar Marathon Club are entitled to receive an exclusive Polar Medal.
Environment & Safety
We work in strict accordance with the Antarctic Treaty’s Protocol on Environmental Protection.
Client Testimonials
About
Antarctica
Antarctica is the southernmost continent on Earth, known for its extreme cold, vast ice sheets, and unique ecosystem. It's the driest, highest, and windiest continent on earth, with temperatures that can plummet well below freezing.
We expect our race temperatures to be a pleasant -10C, though participants should be prepared for it being colder.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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The Antarctic Polar Race is a new event that incorporates a variety of distances and disciplines from 1 mile to 100 miles. In 2024, the event is host to the first Antarctica Athletics Federation Championships. Continental titles across a variety of distances and disciplines will be on offer in male and female categories.
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The Antarctic Polar Race is organised by Polar Running Adventures™, the world’s foremost authority on polar running. Over the past 20 years, Polar Running Adventures has pioneered polar running and brought 1400 athletes from 70 countries to the most remote locations on the planet. The race director is Richard Donovan, the first marathoner at both the North and South Poles. See polarrunningadventures.com.
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Participants will meet in Cape Town (race HQ is the Winchester Hotel, Seapoint Promenade) and are flown by race organisers to an international runway in Antarctica. Upon landing you will be transported to a special athletes’ village nearby. The location is adjacent to a unique ‘ice wall’, a majestic example of a windswept ice cliff shaped into a dramatic formation.
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Yes. On return from Antarctica to South Africa, there is an option to run a second marathon event at the spectacular location of Seapoint Promenade, Cape Town. The Lion’s Head Marathon, available at no extra cost, allows athletes to complete two official marathon distances on two continents in the same trip. From Ice to Fire.
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The event is scheduled for 20th November 2024, with the full itinerary outlined below
17 November: Arrive in Cape Town, Event Briefing
18 November: Pre-Departure Preparations
19 November: Fly to Novo airbase, transport to athletes village
20 -21 November: Antarctic Polar Race / Antarctica Athletics Federation Champs
22 November: Return to Cape Town
23 November: Lion’s Head Marathon, Cape Town (option)
24 November: Free to return to Homeland
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Yes. Everyone is welcome to take part (subject to medical fitness), whether you are a top athlete seeking to win an Antarctica continental title, or just hoping to cover a particular distance and knock Antarctica off your bucket list.
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Competitors have a choice of competing in a 1-mile race, 10k, half-marathon, marathon and ultramarathons of 100km and 100 miles. There will also be opportunities for a bike race and a duathlon event. It may be possible to run more than one event.
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Yes, there is limited capacity in accordance with aircraft constraints and entrants are accepted on a first come first served basis. Sign up today to reserve your place!
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The entry fee is EUR 17,900, which is payable in instalments*. An initial deposit of EUR 6,000 to reserve your place; a second instalment of EUR 6,000 payable by 17th March 2024 and a final payment of EUR 5,900 by 17th July 2024.
*If paying in full upon registration, there is a discount of EUR 1,000, making the price EUR 16,900.
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For the race entry fee, Polar Running Adventures will provide
• Entry to your race of choice in Antarctica
• Round trip flights from Cape Town to Novo runway, Antarctica
• Meals and tented accommodation in Antarctica
• Emergency medical evacuation insurance for Antarctica
• Entry to the Lion’s Head Marathon in Cape Town, on return from Antarctica
• Medals, t-shirts, singlets, patches, gymsacs and other souvenirs of the Antarctic Polar Race
• Professional photography and video for personal use / social media. Media publication must be agreed with copyright owners.
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You will stay in glamping tents on the ice at a special athletes’ village.
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Yes, the course will be a contained one for safety reasons and groomed before the events. Flags at 50 metre intervals will guide you along the way.
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The Antarctica Athletics Federation® is the governing body for athletics in Antarctica. The Federation also monitors records and performances in the Arctic, specifically at the North Pole. The Antarctic Polar Race 2024 is proud host to the first Antarctica Athletics Federation Championships.
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The Polar Marathon Club™ is operated by Polar Running Adventures and recognises those who have run in Antarctica and / or the Arctic / North Pole. Members of the Polar Marathon Club are entitled to receive an exclusive Polar Medal. The Polar Medal can also be awarded to those who have made significant contributions to polar running in various categories, including photography, cinematography, literature, research, exploration, and medical and logistical support.
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Registered participants will be given advice on appropriate clothing for Antarctica.
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We anticipate global news coverage for the inaugural Antarctic Polar Race, the first Antarctica Athletics Federation Championships.
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Yes! There is an option of a trip to the South Pole (for a limited number of people) during our stay in Antarctica. Stand at the southernmost point on the planet, 90 Degrees South! Contact Richard Donovan @ polarrunningadventures@gmail.com for details and cost.
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Contact Race Director Richard Donovan @ polarrunningadventures@gmail.com for answers!