A multinational field of twenty‑three marathoners from seven countries ran the Arctic’s geographic North Pole in an event dubbed the “world’s coolest marathon.” Participants disembarked aboard France’s polar vessel *Le Commandant Charcot* to sprint a 1,055‑metre loop across drifting sea‑ice, equipped with thermal gear and life vests. Denmark’s Rikke Dam took the women’s title in 6:54:02, while China’s Wang Shengxian claimed the men’s race in 3:52:22. The season’s daring competition showcases extreme sport and adventurous exploration in the polar environment.
Marathon runners compete on drifting sea ice at North Pole
Twenty‑three runners from seven countries raced on the Arctic’s geographic North Pole, an event dubbed the “world’s coolest marathon.”
Competitors, who arrived in Norway aboard the French polar vessel Le Commandant Charcot, disembarked and ran 1,055‑metre laps of a drifting sea‑ice loop, wearing thermal gear and life vests.
Denmark’s Rikke Dam won the women’s title in 6:54:02, while Wang Shengxian of China took the men’s race in 3:52:22.
Video edited by Ian Aikman
