Antarctica Marathon 26.2 miles - 974 miles on from my first challenge

They say it was the calmest crossing they’d ever known through the infamous Drake Passage, from the southernmost tip of Argentina to Antarctica, but my body didn’t seem to care. After two long days of travelling on the Russian ice breaker I, and the few remaining contents of my stomach, were greatly relieved that I could put my feet on solid ground.

As we reached the world’s southernmost continent to participate in ‘The Last Marathon’, we were greeted by those at the Russian research base, who kindly hosted us for the event. Antarctica is 98% covered by ice and other than the few people at the Russian base and those we saw at the other three bases we ran through (Argentinean, Chinese and Chilean), we saw nobody else for the duration of our trip, reflecting the fact that there are no permanent human residents in Antarctica.

The temperature in the South Shetland Islands, off the coast of the Antarctica Peninsular, was warmer than I’d expected – a warming two to four degrees in fact! The warmer temperature meant there hadn’t been any snowfall, which gave the Antarctic landscape a surprising dark rocky, creator and lunar like terrain.

Fortunately, my trip to the climate chamber at Portsmouth University and the advice I received there, had prepared me well. As the start of the marathon approached, despite the favourable temperatures, I was prepared for the bite of the wind chill, which relentlessly pelted us as it swept across the vast open 26-mile course ahead of us.

Just 150 people set off from the start line to complete the 2008 Antarctica marathon. With spirits soaring, I found the first three miles relatively easy, with the terrain just wet and muddy interspersed with rock and pebbles. It wasn’t until each of us reached the 400 metre, pure ice glacier that formed part of the course that we realised how difficult the warmer temperature, we’d all be celebrating, was going to make this event. The lack of thick powdered snow meant the glacier was smooth and very slippery ice –and provided nothing for our shoes to grip onto.

   

The glacier itself was by far the most challenging surface I’ve ever run on and to complete the marathon, runners were required to run up and down it not once but twice! The fear of slipping was at the forefront of my mind throughout and rightly so. Although I was fortunate enough to complete the event unscathed, others were not as fortunate, with some twisting ankles and one person sadly slipping and breaking a rib and having concussion. The marshals and volunteers were well equipped to deal with these injuries though and were equally as good spotting those who were beginning to feel the effects of the extreme cold. At one point the marshals stopped a runner for 15 minutes to warm his hands up before allowing him to continue. It was in fact my fingers that kept my mind focused and stopped me thinking about anything else in my body that was hurting. On the way up the glacier I’d slipped early on and put my hands down to steady myself. Despite my gloves, my hands got wet and I was so worried about getting frost bite that I spent most of the race concentrating on keeping my fingers moving, rather than worrying about what my legs were doing.

The four hundred foot glacier climb was both mentally and physically exhausting. The only relief was seeing the turn-around point ahead once you reached the top. The only other relief was that everyone is forced to run slowly up and down the glacier and this worked in my favour – I finished in seventh place on my seventh continent!

The Antarctica marathon was a special one for me. It saw me smash my 1,000 mile target and meant I qualified to become a member of the prestigious and exclusive seven continents running club. Of those 220 people in the club, not many have been as fortunate as me in completing marathons on all seven of the world’s continents in just one year. So I don’t want what I tell you next to detract from how special, difficult, impressive or well organised this marathon was but the highlight of this trip for me wasn’t the run but the wildlife and the tranquil landscape. Penguins, seals, whales and icebergs were our audience for this run and these were the highlight for me – proved by the some 5,000 photos I managed to snap during the trip!

       

Relatively few people took part in this event and even fewer finished (only 126). With tough conditions and having so long to get to know people in the confined space of the ice-breaker to and from the actual race – there was a strong sense of camaraderie. As with so many of the events I’ve had the privilege to be involved in this year, I met some truly inspiring people. One in particular twisted his ankle during the race but was so determined not to give up that he ran on (not recommended) to complete the half marathon.

As the wind picked up on our journey home and the waves grew larger I can honestly tell you that had I known just how bad the sailing back would be and how awful I’d feel, I’d be writing this blog to you now from Antarctica! Still, if you asked me would I go back, I’d be the first one on the boat. In fact, having now completed my year-long challenge and returned to the relative normality of an office job, I was asked if I would do it all again? Without hesitation, if I had the chance, I’d put my running shoes back on right now!