REGISTRATION

You must submit the Application Form below, having agreed to the Terms & Conditions / Assumption of Risk / Indemnification, and make a full payment or deposit to reserve a place in the race. You may later be required to complete standard Antarctica travel forms for the logistics company, including basic medical information. 

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Event

The Antarctic Polar Race incorporates a variety of athletics distances and disciplines ranging from 1 mile to 100 miles. The main event will be the standard 26.2-mile marathon, but there are options for shorter distances and ultramarathons of 100km and 100 miles. A bike race and duathlon may also be operated, subject to demand. The 2024 event will double as the first ever Antarctica Athletics Federation championships, with continental titles on offer. Your entry to the event includes the option of running a marathon distance in Cape Town on return from Antarctica. The Lion’s Head Marathon will incorporate a six-loop course on the beautiful Seapoint Promenade. 

South Pole Flight

Stand at the southernmost point on the planet! There is an additional option to fly to the South Pole during your stay in Antarctica, available to a limited number of participants. Contact Richard Donovan at polarrunningadventures@gmail.com for details and cost.

 

2024 Itinerary*

17 November: Arrive in Cape Town, Event Briefing

18 November: Pre-Departure Preparations

19 November: Fly to Antarctica runway, 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

 

*This itinerary is subject to change if weather conditions make it unsafe for flying, or for any other Antarctica-related issues. 

RULES OF THE ANTARCTIC POLAR RACE

  1. The Antarctic Polar Race 2024 incorporates a variety of distances and disciplines, including a marathon and 100-mile race. There may also be a bike race and duathlon, subject to demand.

  2. There is an opportunity to run a sister marathon in Cape Town, on return from Antarctica.

  3. There may be time limits on events, particularly for 100 miles. These time limits will be as generous as possible .

  4. Results of each event will be categorised into male and female categories.

  5. Competitors must agree to abide by the instructions of the Race Director and medical personnel.

 

ENTRY FEE

For the entry fee of EUR 17,900*, 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

  • 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.

*EUR 16,900 if paying in full upon registration.

 

PAYMENT METHOD

The payment method is by bank wire transfer: you will be contacted and invoiced by race organisers after submitting the application form.

 

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

If paying in full upon registration, there is a discount of EUR 1,000, making the price EUR 16,900. Alternatively, a payment schedule would involve three payments: 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.

 

TRIP CANCELLATION / INTERRUPTION & MEDICAL INSURANCE

You should obtain trip cancellation / interruption insurance in case you have to unexpectedly cancel your trip. Weather-related delays and other delays can also occur on any Antarctica trip and the organisers will not be held responsible for such a disruption. Medical evacuation insurance is a mandatory requirement for Antarctica, but race organisers will obtain this insurance on your behalf at no additional cost to you. In cases of not having cancellation insurance, or cancelling for a reason other than that covered by a policy, organisers will transfer your place to a future year if cancellation occurs by 17th July 2024. Organisers will also allow you to transfer your place in the race to another athlete if you have to cancel at any time. The organisers do not undertake to provide refunds. 

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

There are no visa documents required for Antarctica. However, you must have a valid passport beyond your date of return and the appropriate visa documents, if relevant, for entry to South Africa. Participants might also need vaccination documents when travelling, in accordance with ever changing rules, e.g. Covid.

MEDICAL

All participants should be in excellent health and capable of easily completing the race of their choice. Please consult with your doctor before entering the Antarctic Polar Race. 

 

ASSUMPTION OF RISK / WAIVER

I acknowledge that I have that I have carefully read and understand the description, terms, conditions and recommendations of the Antarctic Polar Race. I am participating in this trip with full knowledge of the hazards involved in such an endeavor. I also realize that the dates of the trip may change from those specified on this form.

I also understand that Polar Running Adventures works with a specialist polar logistics company in the organization and promotion of the Antarctic Polar Race events / South Pole flight and that I may have to complete and agree to their standard polar travel forms. 

I understand that Antarctica is the most remote and one of the most inhospitable and undeveloped regions of the planet. Logistics problems are enormous, the weather ferocious and unpredictable. Delays of days or even weeks must be anticipated. 

I understand that the risks of traveling and competing in the Antarctic include, without limitation, extreme weather conditions can change rapidly and without warning; that temperatures can fall below -40 degrees Celsius, with wind chills even lower; that bad weather and aircraft malfunction could strand the expedition for many days; that prolonged exposure to the Antarctic environment can even cause loss of fingers, toes, and body parts due to frostbite, or loss of life due to hypothermia, dehydration and other means.

Furthermore I understand that participating in physical activities such as running in the Antarctic area may, in a worst-case scenario, place me at risk of death from the frigid conditions. I fully understand that I am in a remote region devoid of many medical supplies and facilities, as well as rapid evacuation capabilities.

I understand that Polar Running Adventures shall not be responsible for failure to perform any of its obligations under this agreement during any period when there is a Force Majeure: This refers to any event beyond reasonable control, including but not limited to political unrest, natural disaster, epidemics, pandemics, health advisories and alerts, orders from government or international authorities, severe weather, technical or mechanical failure, or any other causes beyond the control of Polar Running Adventures or deemed to constitute a danger to the safety and well-being of participants.

In consideration of being permitted to participate in this trip, I fully assume responsibility upon myself for such bodily, mental, and financial injuries caused by, but not limited to various surface transportation, accidents, aircraft malfunctions, hazards of traveling in the Antarctic environment, forces of nature, civil unrest, terrorism, and other perils. I freely assume these and all other risks inherent in this Antarctic expedition, in exchange for the thrill and adventure of traveling to Antarctica.

I hereby assume all risks, including those mentioned above, as a result of my participation.

 

USE OF IMAGE

I understand that during the race or in related activities, I may be photographed and filmed. I agree to allow my name, photo, video or film likeness to be used for any legitimate race promotional purpose by the event organisers, producers, sponsors, and assigns. 

INDEMNIFICATION 

In consideration of the services of Polar Running Adventures, agents, owners, race director, officers, volunteers, participants, employees, sponsors, medical personnel and all other persons, or entities acting in any capacity on their behalf: I hereby agree to release, indemnify, and discharge them, on behalf of myself, my children, my parents, my heirs, assigns, personal representatives and estate as follows:

I release Polar Running Adventures and all of its agents and representatives or other entities acting on their behalf from any and all liability, actions, causes of actions, suits, debts, and demands that I may have for bodily injury, death, or property damage, loss of income, delays and claims of every sort and nature whatsoever which may arise out of or in connection with my participation in the Antarctic Polar Race / Lion’s Head Marathon in Cape Town and South Pole flight if I elect to take take one. I also certify that I will have adequate insurance to cover unanticipated trip cancellation /interruption, and any injury or damage that may occur on the trip, or which I may suffer while participating, or else I agree to bear the costs of such injury or damage myself.

RESPONSIBILITY OF POLAR RUNNING ADVENTURES

Polar Running Adventures reserves the right to cancel the Antarctic Polar Race for any reason up to 17th July 2024. The refund of all monies received will be the limit of our liability. Polar Running Adventures will not be liable for other costs incurred by you in preparing for the trip. In the event of a later cancellation of the race due to Force Majeure or unforeseen circumstances, Polar Running Adventures agrees to provide the same trip to registrants at the next possible opportunity. Polar Running Adventures will not be liable for other costs incurred by you in preparing for the trip.

GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION 

The validity, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Ireland. The parties hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Republic of Ireland as regards any claim, dispute, or matter arising out of, or in connection with this Agreement.

 

SIGNATURE

I have carefully read and understand the description, terms, conditions and recommendations of the Antarctic Polar Race 2024 events and I am participating with a thorough knowledge of the hazards involved. I freely and voluntarily agree to the terms and conditions of the Antarctic Polar Race 2024 by signing this contract.