The marathon is brutal enough as it is normally conducted. Remember that Pheidippides, the first marathon runner, died at the end. Now imagine completing one in sub-zero temperatures through the snow. That's what thirty-six runners did at the Union Glacier Antarctic base camp. The winner, Clément Thévenet, finished the race in three hours and forty-seven minutes.
Link (warning: auto-sound) | Previously: North Pole Marathon
McMurdo Station has an annual marathon as well, with comparable times run. Also, some folks at South Pole Station ran a marathon at that location last year - the southernmost marathon in the world! Considering the altitude, that was quite an accomplishment. For those of us working at the stations, it's a nice perk to be able to do these things without having to drop 10,000 euros.
Abusive comment hidden.
(Show it anyway.)
@Aptenodytes -- is that where you are right now?
Abusive comment hidden.
(Show it anyway.)
Yes indeedy! Enjoying the Antarctic summer right now.
Abusive comment hidden.
(Show it anyway.)
My friend is working at the other station, can't remember the name, the one in the middle of nowhere. I'm sure he's probably clicked a link I've posted, so you probably have 2 people checking your blog from Antarctica.
Abusive comment hidden.
(Show it anyway.)
I'm pretty sure there are more people here checking this out than you think. McMurdo is big - 1,100 people - and a lot of us have desk jobs! And are big geeks too.
Abusive comment hidden.
(Show it anyway.)
@Aptenodytes -- nonetheless, we will continue to think that you are extra cool.
Abusive comment hidden.
(Show it anyway.)