The Antarctica Marathon: Part 3

The Antarctica Marathon is a unique experience

Unique in so many ways it challenges runners with gradients, terrain and climatic conditions that will test the best of us. Where else do you have penguins waddling across your marathon course or get cheered on by research scientists from multiple countries. It is a once in a lifetime experience. Read the third instalment of this amazing adventure.

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The marathon course differs slightly every year but generally is routed over a roller coaster course toward Artigas, the Uruguayan Base at the western end of Collins Glacier. It's now entirely on dirt roads, which often can be muddy, but the year I was lucky enough tor un it there were some off-road sections that meant we were exposed to multiple underfoot conditions, including some deep snow. All runners have to be self-sufficient and there's no access to indoor facilities.

Biosecurity rules are now much tighter so no plastics can come ashore and all gear must be thoroughly cleaned beforehand to prevent anything that shouldn't be there getting into the environment. All water has to be supplied by you and left at water stations to be collected on you run past. Towards the end of the race mine had frozen. Another unique experience.

After coming on land via one of the zodiacs (inflatable rafts) we had a nervous time before the 100 or so of us were called to the start line, before the gun sounded. Obviously it's unlike any other race as the runners outnumber spectators, apart from the penguins who watch with intrigue. King George Island is the largest of the South Shetland Islands and lies 75 miles off the coast of Antarctica. Originally claimed by the British in 1819 and named after King George III, has been the subject of numerous ownership disputes. Many countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, South Korea, Poland, Russia, Uruguay, the Netherlands, Ecuador, Germany, Peru, and the US, have a presence on the island, earning them consultative party or full member status in the Antarctic Treaty. Today, the island serves as an aerodrome for flights to Antarctica and is considered the unofficial capital of the continent due to its numerous research stations. Additionally, the island is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including Elephant, Weddell, and Leopard seals, as well as colonies of Chinstrap and Gentoo penguins. It's the gentoo penguins on the course that are a highlight for most runners. Where else do you run past and sometimes try and avoid penguins?

The human population on the island is around 500, limited to the research stations established and maintained here by Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, China, Ecuador, South Korea, Peru, Poland, Russia, Uruguay and the USA. Most of the bases are permanently staffed. The Chilean station is the one with the airstrip.

The start and finish is at the Bellingshausen Station (Russia), and the course passes the Artigas Base (Uruguay), the Frei Base (Chile) and the Great Wall Base (China).

It's now an incredibly muddy course and this can be really draining for those taking part. You can see the snow but you now don't get to run in it, primarily for environmental reasons. This is a pristine landscape and needs to be left as it was found at the end of every race day. It's important to make sure you've trained hard for this race. No crowd support, multiple laps and lots of mud require real focus, determination and fitness. There is a half marathon option as well and this gives you options if the training hasn't gone as well as you'd hoped.

Getting your gear choices right is key. Layering is essential. Keep your head, protect your eyes if it's really sunny, but most importantly keep warm. It can be very windy here and that's never great to run in, especially if you're not wrapped up well. Wear some decent trail shoes and bring a spare pair. They will be soaked and caked in mud by the end.

The human support you do get is fascinating. Research scientists pop outside their huts to give you a cheer and then get back to work. The Russian base where the race starts has a normal population of 25. It has gained a reputation in recent years as a trading post, with station members often willing to swap or sell pins, flags and clothing. It was one of the first research stations founded by the Soviet Antarctic Expedition in 1968, set on the nearly ice-free Fildes Peninsula at the island’s southwestern tip. It is also the location of Trinity Church, the only permanently staffed Eastern Orthodox church in Antarctica.

Antarctica and its surrounding area offer unique opportunities for scientific research that cannot be replicated elsewhere on Earth. The continent's harsh climate, frigid oceans, polar ice cap, glaciers, and geologic formations have attracted scientists from various disciplines for over a century. These include meteorologists, oceanographers, atmospheric physicists, geologists, glaciologists, seismologists, geophysicists, biologists, zoologists, and medical professionals studying the effects of the Antarctic environment on human physiology. Research is conducted by scientists from colleges, universities, and government agencies, covering a wide range of scientific disciplines. Their support on the marathon course is of great value to the runners and as you head from one station to another their enthusiasm is a constant source of motivation.

As the race progresses the weather begins to take its toll, your feet get wetter and colder and the laps merge into each other. It's tough but the fact that you're in Antarctica gets you through. When will you ever be here again? Eventually, after what seems an eternity the finish line comes into view and you're done. It's strange running across a finish line to a few hand claps, instead of the roar of a crowd, but this is the Antarctica Marathon and there is nothing like it. It's a great feeling and a major box ticked, but the best is to come. The next three days are even more memorable. Three days that include Paradise Bay.

Read more in Part 4 as we take a break from running before heading home.