World’s Coolest Marathon: Finish Line at the North Pole

Sun Sep 06 2026 08:31:06 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Marathoners raced across drifting sea ice at the Arctic's geographic North Pole, completing a 1,055‑metre loop in record times.

Twenty-three athletes from seven nations converged on the floating sea ice at the North Pole, turning the region into a one‑of‑a‑kind marathon venue. On the vessel Le Commandant Charcot, they ran a 1,055‑metre loop wearing thermal jackets and life vests, crowned Denmark’s Rikke Dam and China’s Wang Shengxian as the winners with times of 6:54:02 and 3:52:22 respectively. Organisers dubbed the event "the world’s coolest marathon", underscoring the extreme conditions and pioneering spirit of the race.

World’s Coolest Marathon: Finish Line at the North Pole

In an icy spectacle at the Arctic's geographic North Pole, 23 marathoners from seven countries dove into what organizers are calling the world’s coolest marathon. The runners arrived aboard the French polar research vessel Le Commandant Charcot, a platform that ferried a diverse field of athletes to the drift‑ing sea ice.

The course stretched 1,055 metres, a single loop carried on a floating sheet of ice that swanged with the polar tide. Competitors ran each lap in thermal gear and life‑vests, cross‑checking their pace against the unforgiving cold.

For the women’s race, Denmark’s Rikke Dam struck the finish in 6:54:02, claiming the title. The men’s champion, China’s Wang Shengxian, pushed a 3:52:22 finish, setting an unbroken benchmark for the event's inaugural lap.

Video edited by Ian Aikman