Basic Package
A marathon holiday
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This tour is not just a marathon with a side trip, but a splendid tour that includes
a fantastic marathon. The arrangement is organised as a normal holiday tour for
the whole family to beautiful Greenland in the autumn - a long weekend break of
the type that Albatros Travel arrange every autumn to Greenland. All participants
have the opportunity to experience Greenlands magnificent nature and sights through
planned outings and additional excursions.
The experiment to hold a marathon in the midst of Greenlands magnificent landscape
and on the Greenlandic Ice cap begun in September 2001, where a large group of Danish
athletes flew to Greenland to compete in the first marathon north of the polar circle.
It was a great success and most of the runners completed the challenging course
without any problems. As well as the runners enjoying the marathon and having the
chance to experience Greenlands beauty the general opinion was that this was a ‘world
class run’. In 2005 all participants completed the race.
Day 1. Thursday 16th October
Copenhagen-Kangerlussuaq
We leave Copenhagen in the morning. A 5 hour flight will bring us to Kangerlussuaq
(Søndre Strømfiord) where we arrive in the morning, local time. Kangerlussuaq is
at CET –4 hours. Kangerlussuaq is the largest of Greenland’s two International airports
for civilian air traffic. From here the domestic flights to the rest of Western
and North Greenland originate. It is not a large town as such, actually Kangerlussuaq
received town status as late as in 2001 and is part of the Sisimiut municipality.
The permanent population is approximately 4-500 people, with most people employed
at the airport. There is a good supermarket, a post office, a restaurant (at the
hotel) , a few cafeterias, a night club (‘Klubben’ - ‘The Club’), a bowling ally
and an indoor swimming pool inheritated from the Americans.
The Airport was build by the Americans during the Second World War. Under the name
Blue West Eight the air base was established along the more than 170km long fjord.
The air base was of strategic importance, both during World War II and the Cold
War. At this time more than 1400 soldiers were situated at the base. With increased
technological developments, however, the importance of the base gradually declined
and the Americans finally left and handed over the area to the Government of Greenland
in 1992.
After checking in at Polar Lodge or the hotel the rest of the afternoon will be
free with the opportunity to purchase a number of excursions. There is also an opportunity
to hire a mountain bike and explore the surrounding area on your own.
The evening dinner will be held in Hotel Kangerlussuaq.
Day 2. Friday 17th October
Course Inspection and Pasta Party
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Today we start out with one of the highlights of the tour – inspecting the marathon
route. We will be heading 35 kms east of the airport to the ice cap. The route inspection
is also an opportunity for non-runners to take part in the excursion to the ice
cap. We drive in large all terrain vehicles, which will take us through the wide
Sanddrift Valley along Watson River. On the way out of Kangerlussuaq we pass the
next days finishing line and shortly after the golf course. The road passes by the
400 metre high cone formed hill, Suger Loaf. We continue through the fantastic landscape
of lakes, fertile moor and dense scub. Once in a while it is replaced by large stretches
of dunes and rock devoid of vegetation. Relative to the rest of Greenland it is
fairly fertile landscape - there is rich flora and the altitude of the big, rounded
hills do not exceed 700 metres.
A few kilometres from the inland ice edge, Russel Glacier winds through the terrain
and we continue to point 660, one of the most beautiful ice landscapes in Greenland,
with the inland ice dominating the background and a number of glaciers spreading
out. At times the thunderous noise of the glaciers calving can be heard - it is
fantastic to experience the sight of the rugged and winding ice cap with its crevasses,
rapid meltwater rivers and wells.
Finally we arrive at the edge of the ice cap where we park the vehicles and take
a tour on the ice cap itself. It is a great experience to feel the massive cold
air from the ice, taste the pure crystal clear air and listen to the deafing silence.
You suddenely realise that Greenland is in a category by itself.
En route members of staff will inform runners about the various aspects of the course.
In the evening the Albatros traditional Marathon Pasta Party will take place. But
an early bed time is to be recommended.
Day 3. Saturday 18th October
The Polar Circle Marathon
Galla Dinner with Greenlandic specialities
We will rise fairly early and enjoy a solid breakfast, before we drive to the starting
point near the inland ice at 7:30 am. We will once again use all terrain vehicles.
Both the 1/2 and full marathon will start 9:00am and the time keeping will end 7
hours later, 4 pm. More information in the detailed course description under “Practical
Information”.
Half marathon participants will use the same start as the full marathon. They will
follow the track on the ice cap and have their goal after the required 21.1 km.
The finishing line is located near the gym in the former American base area.
The runners will be offered water and refreshments at stations posted along the
route. At the finishing line a lunch package will be provided. After the run there
will be time to relax before we meet for the evening Barbeque Dinner.
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Day 4. Sunday 19th October
Kangerlussuaq, walking tour
Finally we can relax. The day’s program offers a guided walk up to Mount
Hassel - also known as ‘Kitchen Mountain’ because all the apartment blocks have
their kitchen windows facing the hillside - just behind the airport. This tour takes
about 3-4 hours. We start the tour from Old Camp and follow the ridge eastwards
towards the inland ice. The higher we get the more beautiful it gets and, weather
permitting, we will have a fantastic panoramic view from the fjord to the inland
ice. If there is too much snow the guides will try to find alternative route at
a lower level.
The rest of the day is free, and there will be opportunities to purchase extra activities.
Day 5. Monday 20th October
Kangerlussuaq-Copenhagen
After an intense weekend we travel back to Copenhagen. The flight leaves just before
noon so there is the oportunity to enjoy a last stroll or jog.
Arrival to Copenhagen early evening (Danish time).
Accommodation in Copenhagen before onward travel to European cities can be arranged.
The Hotels
Polar Lodge in Kangerlussuaq is a cosy hostel centraly located in Kangerlussuaq.
The building was renovated, modernised and refurbished as a hostel in 2006. The
total capacity is 14 rooms (all non smoking and without private facilities). Toilets
and bathrooms are available in the hallway. Each room is decorated according to
a special Greenlandic theme.
Hotel Kangerlussuaq
The hotel consists of a main building in the airport complex. It contains nice and
fairly large double rooms with private bathrooms. Breakfast, which consists of a
refreshment bar, is served in the cafeteria and Kangerlussuaq’s most exclusive restaurant
is situated in the main airport building.