Spitsbergen Marathon

The Spitsbergen Marathon is one of the world’s most extraordinary road races, held in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway, at 78 degrees north. Marketed as the world’s northernmost marathon on firm ground, the race gives runners a rare chance to compete in the Arctic summer, surrounded by mountains, fjords, open tundra, reindeer, seabirds, and the surreal daylight of the High Arctic. The event was first held in 1994 and has grown into a popular international race while still retaining a small, adventurous destination-race atmosphere.

The course runs on roads in and around Longyearbyen. Although early June usually brings above-freezing temperatures and much of the snow has melted, the open Arctic landscape can still make the race feel tough and exposed. One of the race’s most distinctive features is its safety setup: the event is famous for having polar bear guards along the route, adding to its reputation as a true bucket-list marathon.

The race weekend includes a full marathon, half marathon, 10K, and a children’s mini marathon. It is a rare event that feels both remote and community-driven, with local residents supporting the runners and Longyearbyen briefly turning into an Arctic running hub. The start and finish are outside Svalbardhallen, and runners are encouraged to arrive well prepared for changing Arctic weather.