The Polar Circle Marathon

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

General info
The Polar Circle Marathon takes place October 23rd 2010. Both the full marathon and half marathon starts at 9:30 in the morning.
The cut-off time for half marathon runners is 4 hours while the full marathon runners have 7 hours to complete the race. Runners still on the route after the cut off time of the respective distance will be swept up by a race official or medical car and driven back to the Polar Lodge.

All runners who complete the marathon or half marathon within the time limit will receive a medal. In the evening a complete result list is expected to be ready. Finishing certificates will be handed out at the Gala Dinner on Sunday evening.

Do not forget that this is first and foremost an adventure. We are far away from the homely comforts and this makes it impossible to offer services at the same high level as usually provided in city marathons.

Please note that all decisions made by the race officials and or medical team are final and not up for discussion.

The race organization (Albatros Travel’s Adventure Marathon department) reserves the right to reject any entry and to disqualify and bar any individual from the Polar Circle Marathon and Half Marathon. This rejection/disqualification may be based on, but is not limited to: violation of the instructions given by the Race Officials and/or Medical Team; unsportsmanlike conduct; non-payment of race fees; competing with an unofficial number; competing with an official number assigned to another person; transferring or attempting to transfer an official number to, or to obtain such number from, another person; being paced during the race by a person not entered in the race; accepting assistance from non-race participants; crossing the finish line without having completed the entire course; and providing false information on the race entry form.
Individuals disqualified from the Polar Circle Marathon and Half Marathon will be removed from the race results and may be barred from future Adventure Marathons. The race organization reserves the right to change the details of the race.

The Marathon Route
The marathon takes place on uneven gravel road and ice!
The run starts about 3 km from the inland ice and follows the gravel road on to the ice cap. While running on the ice cap (about 3 km) one should be very attentive and careful. Even with a thick layer of snow on top this part can still be very slippery. Because of the danger of falling into a crevasse, it is strictly forbidden to leave the marked route on the inland ice. On the ice the route takes a loop before leading runners the same way back on the gravel road. When passing the original starting point you have approximately 34 km left to the finish line in Kangerlussuaq. Please bear in mind that although the road is gravel, it is very likely to be covered by a layer of snow.
Running these remaining kilometres you will pass enormous glacier tongues and moraine plains and go through tundra and arctic desert. It is an incredibly beautiful landscape that runs for many kilometres along some of the ice caps oldest glaciers.
If you are lucky and not too tired, you may see reindeer and musk oxen grazing along the route.

Half marathon runners start at the same point at the same time as the full marathon runners. The half marathon runners also runs the loop on the ice cap and their finish line is located after the respective 21.1 km. In the half marathon finish area a heated bus will take all half marathon participants back to Kangerlussuaq when the last half marathon runner has crossed the finish line.

Kilometer signs can be found along the entire route. Owing to the conditions, however, they may be placed +/- some metres from the exact point. The kilometre signs are therefore only for orientation. Note that there won’t be any toilets along the course, which means that there are toilets everywhere!

The terrain is hilly all the way with the steepest ascends being the climb coming off the ice cap and the approximately 75 meters high climb 5 kilometers before the finish line. From the ice cap to the finish line, however, the route has an overall descend of approximately 500 meters.

Please note that the route description is subject to change according to the forces of nature.

Supplies
There will be water supplies approximately every 5 kilometres. Since the air is extremely dry, it is important to drink plenty of water as the body may not automatically tell you that you are thirsty. All drink stations serve tempered water and at selected stations you will also receive warm drinks and energy drinks and bars.

You are allowed to bring personal supplies and extra clothes for the marathon. Personal supply stations will be situated at the 15 km and 30 km mark. Personal supplies has to be delivered at the starting area clearly marked with the runner’s number and whether the supplies are to be handed out at the 15 km or 30 km mark.

It is a good idea to start out in extra layers of clothes to keep warm. Extra layers can be left at all water stations along the route. The deposited clothes will be handed out in the finish area or later on during the evening.

In case of deep snow on the ice cap runners are allowed to start out in hiking boots and change to running shoes once they are off the ice cap.

Remember that we are running in wild and unspoiled nature. Therefore, please do not throw empty packaging on the ground; instead deposit it in rubbish bags situated along the route.

Health
Runners who wish to drop out of the marathon should go to the nearest drink station where sleeping bags will be available to keep you warm. Transport to the finish area will be arranged for all runners who drops out on the route, but please notice that there will be a waiting time.

The medical team is ready in case of injury or severe exhaustion. A doctor will be placed on the ice cap as long as runners are on it. A doctor will be patrolling the route and a doctor will stand by in the finish area. If the medical team finds it necessary they can stop a runner and take him/her out of the race. Decisions on taking runners out of the race will only be done if the medical team believes there is a serious health risk in continuing.

All decisions made by the medical team are final and not up for discussion.

Weather
The weather in Greenland is always unpredictable!
On average we expect the temperature to be minus 10-15 degrees celsius when the marathon is started. As the sun rises higher, however, the temperature will rise to minus 5-0 degrees celsius.
Light snow may occur, but Kangerlussuaq is known for its stabile and relatively comfortable climate with little precipitation on an annual basis.
Once again though, we stress that the weather in Greenland is in its own category, so be prepared for strong winds and snow as well.

Clothing and Shoes
We recommend usual European winter running clothes including a warm hat and gloves. It is a good idea to bring thermal underwear and it is also recommended to bring windproof leggings and jacket as the weather can change rapidly. Dress in layers and drop the top layers at drink stations as you get warmer. As you will be inhaling a lot of cold air it may be a good idea to wear a warm scarf around your neck to keep the outside of your throat warm. Gaiters will help your feet stay dry in case of snow on the route.

The Polar Cirlce Marathon can be run in a pair of normal running shoes or trail running shoes, but we recommend that runners bring a pair of ‘Spiky Plus’ running spikes. ‘Spiky Plus’ are anti slip soles with carbon steel points that can be fitted to your running shoes, a definite plus when running on the ice cap. See www.spiky.com and ask your local running gear or outdoor sports shop for more details.

Kangerlussuaq & Excursions
The nature is the area’s biggest attraction with a wealth of opportunities, especially walking and biking, combined with angling in the fjord and lakes, photography, searching for fossils and semi-precious stones and similar outdoor activities. Regardless of where you are staying, an ‘excursion’ awaits a few hundred metres away and many can be reached by foot. It is recommended you stick to one of the many walking paths, as you could easily loose you direction in the undulated landscape.
As the options for activity in the town area are limited we offer a couple of different excursions and activities that can be booked upon arrival in Kangerlussuaq:

Sightseeing and Musk Oxen Safari
This tour visits among other places, the habour, the terriorty around Kelly Ville, the area around the old American Base ‘Blue West 8’ and sled dog kennels. During the tour you will hear about the Kangerlussuaq and the bases special history. When we have seen the town we drive to the country side and look for Musk Ox. There is also a possibility to see mountain hare and arctic fox during the tour. And if you are very lucky peregrine falcon, gerfalcon and eagle.
Duration: 3 hours
Price*: DKK 375,-

Russel Glacier
In partly off road terrain we take the exiting route to the spectacular Russel Glacier. Seeing the 60 meter high ice wall rising in front of you is an impressive sight hard to forget.
Duration: 4 hours
Price*: DKK 550,-

*Price is subject to change