The Authentic North Pole Race - Limited Places Available
North Pole Arctic Polar Race™ events
Half Marathon (21.1km)
Marathon (42.2km)
Ultramarathon (50km)
Includes the World’s Coolest Ultra Race
The Details
DATES FOR 2027
11th April 2027: Arrive in Krasnoyarsk
12th April 2027: Race Briefing
13th April 2027: Fly to Ice Camp, North Pole
14th April 2027: North Pole Arctic Polar Race™
15th April 2027: Stand at 90 North
16th April 2027: Return to Krasnoyarsk
17th April 2027: Free to Return to Homeland
ENTRY FEE
Please contact us for details. The price of this unique adventure includes a flight from Krasnoyarsk to the North Pole ice camp; accommodation and meals at the North Pole; participation in the Arctic Polar Race; a helicopter flight to exactly 90 Degrees North; the return flight to Krasnoyarsk; merchandise, professional photos and video for personal use.
How we get you to the North Pole
You’ll meet us at our event HQ in Krasnoyarsk and travel to the North Pole on an AN-74 aircraft. There are fueling stops at Khatanga and Cape Baranova en route to the floating ice camp between 89N and 90N. Following the Arctic Polar Race, an Mi-8 chopper will bring competitors to exactly 90N, the coordinates of the Geographic North Pole.
About the Organizers
Polar Running Adventures® has pioneered polar running for more than 20 years, bringing 1,500 adventure athletes from 70 countries to the most remote locations on the planet.
WE HAVE ORGANIZED ALL
PREVIOUS MARATHONS AT THE
NORTH POLE ICE CAMP
RICHARD DONOVAN - RACE DIRECTOR
Richard Donovan is an Irish athlete, adventurer and race organizer who operates Polar Running Adventures®. He has completed 40 expeditions and trips as an organizer and group leader to the North Pole and Antarctica.
In 2002, he became the first person to run marathons at both the North and South Poles, and in 2012 set a world record by completing seven marathons on seven continents in 4 days, 22 hours and 3 minutes.
Richard has also completed transcontinental runs across North America, Europe and South America, and has served as Race Director at numerous Commonwealth and World Championships in ultramarathon running. He has represented Ireland internationally and is a former Executive Director of the International Association of Ultrarunners.
An elected member of The Explorers Club, Richard is also a co-founder of the Space Athletics Federation®.
The Marathon Grand Slam Club
The Marathon Grand Slam Club® recognises athletes who have completed a marathon distance or longer on all seven continents and at the North Pole. Established and operated by Polar Running Adventures® for more than 20 years, the Club recognises one of the most distinctive achievements in international marathon running.
Polar Marathon Club
The Polar Marathon Club™ recognises athletes who have travelled with Polar Running Adventures® to complete a marathon distance in Antarctica and at the North Pole. Members are entitled to receive an exclusive Polar Medal.
Antarctica Athletics Federation
The Antarctica Athletics Federation® provides governance and recognition of athletics performances in Antarctica and maintains records for performances at the Geographic North Pole. The Arctic Polar Race™ is recognised for championship and record-setting purposes.
Environment & Safety
Polar Running Adventures® offsets all carbon emissions and, in 2007, became the first organization to operate a carbon-neutral event at the North Pole.
With more than two decades of polar running experience, safety remains central to our operations on the Arctic ice.
We have brought over 600 people to a drifting ice camp at the Geographic North Pole.
Client Testimonials
About the North Pole
The Geographic North Pole is a fixed point at the center of the Arctic Circle, at 90° North, the top of the world! There is no land at the North Pole - it’s situated in the middle of the Arctic Ocean.
The Arctic Polar Race is held at a drifting North Pole ice camp in the immediate vicinity of the Geographic North Pole. We expect race temperatures to be -25C to -30C. You will be running ‘on’ water, the frozen water of the Arctic Ocean.
Although you are floating on an ocean, you will be flown any additional distance (by Mi-8 chopper) from the camp to 90N to make sure you stand at the exact Geographic North Pole.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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The Arctic Polar Race is the Authentic North Pole Race. It takes place in April at a drifting ice camp at the Geographic North Pole, and incorporates extreme sub-zero temperatures. In addition to the feature marathon event, there are half-marathon and ultramarathon (50km) options.
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The Arctic Polar Race is organized by Polar Running Adventures®, the world’s foremost authority on polar running. Over the past 20 years, Polar Running Adventures has pioneered polar running and brought 1500 athletes from 70 countries to the most remote locations on the planet. The race director is Richard Donovan, the first marathoner at both the North and South Poles.
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Competitors have a choice of competing in the feature Marathon event (42.2km), or a 10km, half-marathon (21.1km) and ultramarathon (50km).
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Yes. The Arctic Polar Race will be a full member of the Association of International Marathons & Distance Races (AIMS) for the calendar year 2027.
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Participants arrive in the city of Krasnoyarsk. You will be flown by AN-74 charter aircraft to the North Pole ice camp. There will be fuel stops at Khatanga and Cape Baranova en route, making it a 10-hour journey. After the race, you will be flown by Mi-8 chopper (30 mins to 45 mins approx) to stand at exactly 90N, the exact Geographic North Pole / top of the world, before returning by An-74 to Krasnoyarsk. *The trip includes accommodation in heated tents and meals while at the Pole.
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The 2027 event is provisionally scheduled for 14th April, with the full itinerary outlined below.
11th April: Arrive in Krasnoyarsk
12th April: Event Briefing
13th April: Fly to North Pole ice camp.
14th April: Arctic Polar Race
15th April: Stand at 90 Degrees North
16th April: Return to Krasnoyarsk
17th April: Free to return to Homeland
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Please contact us at polarrunningadventures@gmail.com for details.
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For the race entry fee, Polar Running Adventures will provide a flight from Krasnoyarsk to drifting North Pole ice camp; accommodation and meals at the North Pole; participation in the Arctic Polar Race; a helicopter flight to exactly 90 Degrees North; return flight to Krasnoyarsk; merchandise, professional photos and video for personal use.
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Yes. You can fly to Russia directly from many countries, including Uzbekistan, United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Thailand, and India. You will be given an invitation letter to support your visa application.
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Yes. Everyone is welcome to take part, whether you are a top athlete seeking to win the World's Coolest Ultra, or hoping to knock the North Pole off your bucket list.
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Yes, the race field is limited in accordance with aircraft capacity constraints. Entries are accepted on a first come first served basis. Sign up today to reserve your place!
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You will be given plenty of time to finish the Arctic Polar Race, although we prefer participants finish within 12 hours.
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The Marathon Grand Slam Club® recognizes athletes who have completed a marathon distance or longer on all 7 continents and at the North Pole. Established and operated by Polar Running Adventures® for more than 20 years, new members receive a Marathon Grand Slam Club medal and certificate. See the official website for more details.
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The Polar Marathon Club™ recognizes athletes who have traveled with Polar Running Adventures® to complete a marathon distance in Antarctica and at the North Pole. Members are entitled to receive an exclusive Polar Medal.
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Registered participants will be given advice on appropriate clothing for the North Pole.
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We anticipate global news coverage for the Arctic Polar Race.
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Contact Race Director Richard Donovan @ polarrunningadventures@gmail.com for answers!