The Antarctic Ice Marathon® is widely regarded as one of the world’s most extraordinary endurance events and holds the distinction of being the southernmost marathon on Earth. Held deep within the interior of Antarctica at Union Glacier, the race gives runners the rare opportunity to complete a marathon on all seven continents while racing across one of the planet’s most remote and inhospitable landscapes. First held in 2006, the event has become an iconic bucket-list challenge for experienced marathoners, adventure travelers, and members of the prestigious Seven Continents Marathon Club. Organized under strict environmental protocols in cooperation with Antarctic logistics providers, the event combines world-class race management with a once-in-a-lifetime polar expedition.
Unlike traditional city marathons, reaching the start line is an adventure in itself. Participants first travel to Punta Arenas, Chile, where they attend race briefings before boarding a specialized aircraft for the approximately four-and-a-half-hour flight to Union Glacier Camp in Antarctica. After landing on blue-ice runways, competitors stay at the expedition camp before racing on a groomed snow-and-ice course surrounded by glaciers, mountains, and vast expanses of pristine polar wilderness. Temperatures typically range between -10°C and -20°C, although wind chill can make conditions feel considerably colder. Despite the extreme environment, Antarctica’s continuous summer daylight provides nearly 24 hours of sunshine, creating an unforgettable backdrop unlike any other marathon in the world.
