The Antarctica Marathon: Part 1

Is the Antarctica Marathon the best running adventure on the planet?

It is an extraordinary trip, culminating in one of the most memorable (and tough) running experiences imaginable. Nothing prepares you for what you'll experience in this once in a lifetime journey into the unknown. Expensive, yes, but worth every single cent. This four part series goes into the details.

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This is a trip like no other. There is nothing like an overseas trip to do a marathon: the new sights and smells, meeting new people, running where you can't normally room, it's unforgettable. And then there is Antarctica and this is nothing like any of those trips. This isn't just an overseas trip to do a marathon. This is the Antarctica Marathon. This is a 13 day tour that is almost overwhelming in terms of its uniqueness and ability to surprise.

It starts with the arrival in beautiful Buenos Aires, known as the 'Paris of South America'. Buenos Aires offers an array of activities and attractions for visitors. The city is known for its steaks, red wine, and bustling nightlife. There are numerous weekend markets, dining options, historic sites, plazas, and museums to explore. Visitors can enjoy a glass of malbec, try traditional empanadas, or watch tango performances. The Hilton hotel is conveniently located near Puerto Madero, a modern neighborhood with waterfront views. A stroll through this area is highly recommended. It's the greener part of the City, great for chilling out after a long flight. Cross the iconic and sleek Puente de la Mujer (“Bridge of the Woman”). All of the streets in this area are named after women. Don't miss two ships-turned-naval-museums which still sit in the water – the Sarmiento and the Uruguay.

The next day you get a half day tour that introduces you to the attractions of the City. You can then spend time exploring it in more detail, potentially with some of your new found running colleagues. Without writing a whole blog post of Buenos Aires here are some brief highlights:

Recoleta Cemetery - A fascinating place full of memorials to Argentina's rich and famous. Pay your respects to Eva Peron and many others and then check out the Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar next door.

The Museum of Fine Arts in Buenos Aires - A free museum and one of the in the world, it has works by South American artists in addition to the big names like Van Gogh, Degas, Monet, and Picasso.

Beautiful Buenos Aires

Feria de San Telmo - a manic but well worth seeing Sunday street fair. Defensa is a pedestrian street in Buenos Aires that offers a plethora of antiques, artwork, knick-knacks, and other treasures. It boasts 300 stalls of a local bazaar where you can find original souvenirs dating back to the golden age of Buenos Aires. In addition to shopping, visitors can purchase homemade snacks and enjoy the street performers along the 13 cobblestone blocks.

The Plaza de Mayo and La Casa Rosada - The plaza is a historically and politically significant place in the city. The Casa Rosada, where the President of Argentina works, is located here and famous speeches by Juan and Eva Perón were delivered from its balconies. It's a popular spot for chilling out, but also serves as an epicenter for demonstrations. The weekly march of Las Madres de Plaza de Mayo, who are the mothers and grandmothers of people who "disappeared" during the Dirty War, takes place here.

The Botanical Gardens - Palermo's botanical gardens offer a peaceful and free escape from the bustling city. Located next to Plaza Italia, visitors can explore various types of architecture while enjoying the butterfly hall, 100-year-old greenhouse, small lake, fountains, and herbal garden. The gardens provide ample shade for a picnic and a perfect opportunity to roam around and enjoy nature.

La Boca in Buenos Aires

La Boca - La Boca neighborhood is a must-visit for those who love vibrant buildings and tango dancing. During the day, the neighborhood offers great photo opportunities with its iconic and vibrantly painted buildings. However, it is advised to avoid the area at night as it can be unsafe at times. Despite this, La Boca is home to two major tourist attractions: the colorful Caminito street, which is filled with the work of artists, and La Bombonera, the stadium of the world-renowned Boca Juniors fútbol club and its passionate fanbase.

If you're done walking around the sites why not try some tango dancing or watch the experts. You see them everywhere. Buenos Aires is the birthplace of tango, so it’s the perfect place to learn… or just watch the pros. On Sunday nights you can see people dancing in the street in San Telmo’s Plaza Dorrego.

You have to try an empanadas as you enjoy the City. These classic Argentine snacks are widely available and come in various forms. They can be found in street kiosks, bus stations, bakeries, and restaurants. The dough shell can be baked or fried, while the filling can range from minced beef to shredded chicken, ham and cheese, onions, or mushrooms.

In the evening you have a welcome dinner at the Hilton. This is where you have the full race briefing and get to meet more of the 100 or so runners who will be joining you on the boat. You'll have met plenty already on your morning tour but here you get to meet the rest and find out the details of what lies ahead. Listen intently! On this first full day and the next you have the opportunity to join a light training run.

Next day is more sightseeing and more chances to enjoy the wonderful cuisine on offer. It can be very tempting to eat way too much and spend way too much time on your feet!

Day 4 is a really big one. This is the day of the flight to Ushuaia, where you'll board your boat for the epic trip to Antarctica. Later that afternoon you'll set sail for an unforgettable voyage.

Ushuaia, where the boat departs

Ushuaia is a fascinating city. Located in the province of Tierra del Fuego, the world's southernmost city and with a population of 80,000, is a great place to explore. We had chance to wander up into the Martial Mountains and the views of harbour and out to the Beagle Channel were superb. It is one of five internationally recognised Antarctic gateway cities and you could feel the expectation, as everyone nervously waited for departure time.

Once settled on board there another briefing, focused on the two day crossing. Cabins are shared so you get to spend some amazing experiences with someone you only met a couple of days previously. Check out Part 2 for the details about crossing The Drake Passage, widely considered to be one of the most treacherous voyages in the world.