Marathon runners compete on drifting sea ice at North Pole

A record twenty‑three marathoners, representing seven countries, challenged the frigid conditions of the Arctic’s geographic North Pole in what organisers described as the “world’s coolest marathon.”

The runners arrived aboard the French polar vessel Le Commandant Charcot, disembarked, and then ran laps of a 1,055‑metre loop on the fragile sea ice. Each athlete wore insulated thermal gear and a mandatory life‑vest to ensure safety while traversing the unstable, floating ice floe.

Denmark’s Rikke Dam claimed the women’s title with a finish time of 6:54:02, while Chinese runner Wang Shengxian took the men’s race in 3:52:22. The event has garnered international attention for its unique blend of athletic endurance and extreme environmental conditions.

Video edited by Ian Aikman