2024 Arctic Marathon – A day of endurance in Ilimanaq

November 18, 2024

Leading run travel specialists Marathon Tours & Travel are pleased to share that the inaugural Arctic Marathon was a huge success. Held on 8th September 2024 in the remote village of Ilimanaq, Greenland, runners and supporters gathered for an unforgettable day of endurance set in the rugged beauty of the Arctic Tundra.

18th November 2024, Boston US /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – With 82 runners, the race day weather was perfect, with clear skies and temperatures between 42-48°F, a welcome change after a few wet days. Runners competed in both the full and half marathon distances on a course that showcased the best of the local area, featuring ATV tracks, gravel paths, rocky terrain, and coastal beach stretches.

Marathon Results (Men):

1. Pilutag Berthelsen – 03:57:41
2. Victor Hildebrand – 04:08:43
3. Jake Wiseman – 05:24:34

Marathon Results (Women):

1. Jennifer Perry – 06:44:00
2. Anni Docking – 07:12:39
3. Gina Hung – 07:51:55

Half Marathon Results (Men):

1. Aleks Smirnov – 02:00:06
2. Jens Knudsen – 02:20:38
3. Brian Bracy – 02:43:28

Half Marathon Results (Women):

1. Tupaarnaq Holgaard – 02:24:53
2. Cherese Taggart – 02:47:36
3. Courtney Dunphy – 03:05:27

A highlight of the event was the Polar Challenge, with 65 runners completing a half or full marathon in Antarctica and the Arctic, a truly remarkable achievement. 11 spectators were also recognized as Polar Challenge finishers for their unwavering support, traveling with their running companions for both adventure races.

The race took participants through one or two loops of a 13.1-mile course, with the half-marathon consisting of one loop and the marathon requiring two. The terrain varied, made for a challenging yet rewarding experience, and the sense of accomplishment was palpable among all who crossed the finish line.

The village of Ilimanaq also played an integral role in the success of the event, offering warm hospitality throughout. The local community organised a traditional Kaffemik, a social gathering featuring coffee and baked goods at the starting line, providing an authentic cultural experience for runners and supporters.

To show their gratitude, runners and spectators of the Arctic Marathon raised over $13,000.00 to donate to the Ilimanaq Community House through mile marker sponsorships and the Arctic Marathon Auction. The Ilimanaq Community House serves as the central gathering place for the village; for years, the village has been fundraising to have an outdoor terrace added to the community house. The generous donations from the running community will go directly to these efforts.

To find out more about the Arctic Marathon, including 2025 dates and itinerary, visit: https://marathontours.com/en-us/events/arctic-marathon/

ENDS

Contact

Name: Kate Allan – Compete PR
Email: kate@competepr.com
Phone: +44 7754 072648

About Marathon Tours & Travel

Founded by runner and travel visionary Thom Gilligan in 1979, Marathon Tours & Travel (MTT) is a longstanding recognized leader and innovator in the destination travel industry for runners and their supporters. With offices in Boston (USA), Manchester (UK) and Adelaide (Australia), the team has industry-leading global prominence.

Marathon Tours & Travel are an approved International Tour Operator to many marathons and other running events, including the Abbott World Marathon Majors, which consists of the Boston Marathon, TCS London Marathon, TCS New York City Marathon, BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, Bank of America Chicago Marathon, the Tokyo Marathon, and candidate races – the Sydney Marathon and Cape Town Marathon.

Their global team of Trip Designers, Trip Leaders and Trip Specialists makes each trip they offer unique and special. They have sought out the best in the industry, and their combined knowledge and experience makes them a global leader in the endurance sports travel industry.

MTT also owns a number of global events, including Patagonia Running Festival Marathon, Madagascar Marathon, Antarctica Marathon® and Arctic Marathon; and the team is excited about further expansion plans across 2024 and beyond.

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