Polar Circle Marathon & Half 2024
Run One of the Coolest Marathons on Earth!
Welcome to a tough, unique marathon in truly magnificent scenery. The Polar Circle Marathon takes place in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. The endless ice and snow of this vast country make up the backdrop of this unusual race, in which runners pass glacier tongues, moraine landscapes and soundless, arctic desert.
A part of the route takes place on the slippery ice cap itself, but the main part of the course is run on the gravel road (often snow covered) that connects the inland ice with the small township of Kangerlussuaq, just north of the Polar Circle. The average temperature in Greenland in October is normally around -10ºC / 15ºF, but colder temperatures should be expected. Snow is not unusual, and while much of the race can be run with regular trail-running shoes, it is mandatory that proper spikes are worn for running on the ice cap.
The Polar Circle Marathon is the perfect way to combine a special running event with exploring one of the most remote and beautiful corners of the world.
This is a two-day event with the marathon taking place on Saturday and the half-marathon on Sunday. Consider joining the Polar Bear Challenge (PBC) and run both races! Entry is limited to 150 runners for each distance.
Meals Included
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included daily
Guide
English-speaking tour leader
Transfers
Roundtrip flights for Copenhagen-Kangerlussuaq
Trip Extension
Ilulissat extension offered
Accommodation
4 nights at your choice of hotel in Kangerlussauq. Pre & Post-nights available in Copenhagen
Entry
Choose the Marathon, Half-marathon or Polar Bear Challenge (both events)
Celebration Party
Post-race celebration dinner
Excursions
Choice of excursions to choose from
Travel Package Information
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Itinerary
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23rd October 2024: Suggested Arrival day in Copenhagen
Arrive one day early in Copenhagen to ensure that you arrive to Copenhagen and are ready for the flight to Greenland in the early morning. Explore this capital city on your own or pound the pavement with other runners and see some of the city’s most impressive sights on our optional guided running tour. In the evening, join other guests for dinner at the Albatros Travel headquarters. You will enjoy tapas and browse an exclusive collection of running clothes from CRAFT. Race packets will be distributed. Accommodation is available at Hotel Hebron, a short walk from Copenhagen Central Station which is a 15-minute train ride from the airport.
Additional Nights Costs found within Packages & Rates
24th October 2024: Copenhagen - Kangerlussuaq: Optional Excursions (DAY 1 OF TOUR PROGRAM)
Meet at Copenhagen Airport, Terminal 2 for your 4.5-hour flight to Greenland. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in. After a brief welcome, join your optional excursion, relax and settle into your room, or hike Mount Hassel (2-3 hours) with your tour leader. Finally, we will enjoy dinner together at Restaurant Roklubben. (Flight meal, lunch at your respective hotel and dinner included)
Please note: As our flight to Greenland departs early in the morning and Air Greenland does not cooperate with other airlines, we recommend arriving on October 23rd and spending a pre-night at Hotel Hebron. If you plan to arrive on October 24, know that you must allow time to collect your luggage from your international flight, clear customs and check in for your departure to Greenland. Check-in closes one hour prior to departure.
25th October 2024 - Route Inspection
This morning all guests (including non-runners) will participate in a race course inspection in large all-terrain vehicles to see the beauty of this fantastic landscape and to understand the challenge of running on the ice cap. In the afternoon, those who have chosen the extension to Ilulissat, will have a pre-tour briefing. Later in the evening, all runners will attend an official race briefing at Hotel Kangerlussuaq followed by a pre-race pasta dinner. (Breakfast, sandwich lunch and dinner included)
Please note: a warm winter jacket, ski pants or similar, hiking or winter boots, hat and gloves are essential today. Runners may choose to bring their running shoes to test running conditions in addition to boots.
26th October 2024 - Marathon Race Day
After breakfast, marathon and Polar Bear Challenge runners will embark at 7:00 AM in all-terrain vehicles to the race start. The Marathon is scheduled to start at 8:30 AM. Supporters and runners will enjoy a BBQ lunch between 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM. In the evening, fuel with a semi-pasta dinner at Hotel Kangerlussuaq. (Breakfast, BBQ lunch at finish area and semi-pasta dinner included)
27th October 2024 - Half-Marathon Race Day
After breakfast, runners are transported to the race start. The half-marathon is scheduled to start at 8:30 AM. Today, those who ran yesterday can enjoy an optional tour or cheer runners on. A light lunch will be served in the finish area. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy. All will meet again in the evening for a celebratory Greenlandic dinner and awards ceremony in Roklubben. (Breakfast and light post-race meal for runners, dinner included)
28th October 2024 - Farewell Greenland or Hello Ilulissat
After breakfast, it is time to say goodbye to Kangerlussuaq, check-out and depart to the airport for the flight back to Copenhagen or Ilulissat if you chose the optional extension. Due to our late arrival time back into Copenhagen, an additional night in Copenhagen is highly recommended. (Breakfast and flight meal included)
(activities subject to change)
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Extensions
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Post-Race Extension to Ilulissat l Three-Night Package: October 28 – 31, 2024
Make the three-night extension to Ilulissat part of your unforgettable Greenland experience. The wild nature and the Inuit culture make Greenland a unique destination. Small colorful houses clinging to the mountainsides, icebergs, Inuit culture and architecture highlight this extension. With luck, we will be treated to amazing Northern lights on one or more evenings. Space is limited.
Monday, October 28 – Following our flight to Ilulissat, you will be transported to Hotel Hvide Falk where restaurants, museums, shops and the harbor are all within walking distance. Following is a guided walking tour of the village to see iconic sights and learn about many activities the area has to offer. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy on your own. (breakfast included)
Tuesday, October 29 – After breakfast today we will explore the beautiful area with a two-and-a-half- hour boat trip on the Ice Fjord where you will enjoy the impressive company of the ‘floating mountains”. The afternoon is free to explore on your own or to choose an optional tour. (breakfast included)
Wednesday, October 30 – After breakfast today we will explore the surrounding area of Ilulissat with a hike to the Sermermiut Valley. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Kangia (another name for the Ilulissat Icefjord and its massive icebergs), see stone ruins of old turf houses and learn the story of the cliff aptly name ‘the place to fall’. The rest of the day is on your own. Optional tours available, weather permitting. (breakfast included)
Thursday, October 31 – After breakfast, you will be transported to the airport for your return flight to Copenhagen. Due to the arrival time back into Copenhagen, you may consider an overnight in Copenhagen at Hebron Hotel. (breakfast and flight meal included)
(activities subject to change)
Optional Tours
Running Copenhagen | October 23, 2024 (1.5 hours)
Stretch your legs in Copenhagen with fellow runners while you see the some of the City’s most famous sights. The tour meets at the H.C. Anderson statue, departing at 1:30pm, and passes the Queen’s castle, Parliament, and the Little Mermaid. Small groups with plenty of time to ask questions during the tour. Pace is adjusted according to overall participant level but you should expect to run 3-3.75 miles per hour. (approx. 5 miles)
Tundra & City Sightseeing Tour – October 24 & 26, 2024
Learn about Primitive Kangerlussuaq and it’s transformation from an air base (Second World War – Cold War) into a small settlement with a modern international airport. Making use of Greenland’s longest road you will embark on a road trip to explore nature. At the harbor you will enjoy stunning views of Kangerlussuaq Fjord before moving on to Kellyville, a small town centered on a research facility and old base. You will have the opportunity to meet and learn about Greenlandic sled dogs but, as it is not sledding season you will not be able to sled. Ample opportunity will be given to take in the gorgeous landscape and hopefully spot mush oxen along the way.
Note: Participants will be placed on Thursday or Saturday according to where they are staying and what distance they are running. Your race pack will indicate the date/time of your excursion.
Northern Lights Tour | October 25, 2024 (2 hours)
Kangerlussuaq has roughly 300 clear nights per year and artificial light is used sparingly so the backcountry’s cloak of darkness lies just a short drive away. The bus will take you to see an ethereal light display (a result of gaseous protons and electrons from solar wind colliding with molecules in the Earth’s atmosphere). Shades of brilliant green bands with the possibility of red, blue and violet make this trip a night to remember.
Note: Northern Lights tour is weather dependent. In case of cloudy weather, the tour will be cancelled, and a full refund given. Because it is a natural phenomenon, the Northern Lights cannot be guaranteed. Dates may be changed to accommodate weather.
Russel Glacier | October 24 & 27, 2024 (4 hours)
Board a tundra coach – a special 4WD vehicle designed to handle ice, rocks, and uneven ground- and then drive partially off-road on the fascinating route to the magnificent Russell Glacier. The drive will take approximately 1.5 hours, and you may see reindeer and musk oxen. The glacier is an impressive sight, with vertical walls of ice that rise as high as 60 meters. You will have a chance to hike along the glacier’s edge to truly appreciate its immense power and get close enough for some great photo opportunities before heading back to Kangerlussuaq.
Note: Participants will be placed on Thursday or Sunday according to where they are staying and what distance they are running. Your race pack will indicate the date/time of your excursion.
Meet the Sled Dogs | October 29 & 30, 2024
Visit the home of Flemming, a local musher, and meet his dogs. You will learn about raising the pups, the expeditions he has been on, and mushing itself. Please remember that these are working animals and not pets – they are not meant for cuddling – observation only. This excursion does not include dog sled riding, but will, unlike a dog sled riding tour, give a very thorough and interesting look into the history and life of dog sled mushers in Greenland.
Sail to the Oqaatsut Settlement | October 30, 2024
Our tour begins with a 30-minute boat tour from Ilulissat to Oqaatsut. We will sail among the gigantic icebergs from the Ilulissat Icefjord on their path north of Ilulissat. After we arrive in Oqaatsut you enjoy a guided tour of the settlement where you, among other things, will see the school, church, and fish factory of Oqaatsut. Learn about living in a small settlement-community and the history of Oqaatsut.
The settlement tour ends at Restaurant H8 Explorer where we will enjoy lunch made from local ingredients. Afterwards, explore, hike or simply enjoy a peaceful hour or two with a cup of coffee and unforgettable views before the boat sails us back to Ilulissat.
On the route back expect to see the 70 million year old volcanic Disko Island to the west and the green mainland to the east. We will pass Ilulissat Airport and the popular bay Bredebugt, which is surrounded by small cabins owned by locals.
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Packages & Rates
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Polar Circle Tour | Four-Night Package: October 24 – 28, 2024
Features:
- Roundtrip airfare from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq
- Four nights at selected property
- Meals as listed on the itinerary
- Sightseeing as listed on the itinerary
- All air and hotel taxes
- Pre-race briefing
- Celebration dinner
- Airport transfers (per itinerary)
- Services of Albatros Adventure Staff
Post-Race Extension to Ilulissat | Three-Night Package: October 28 – 31, 2024
- Flights from Kangerlussuaq – Ilulissat – Kangerlussuaq
- Return flight to Copenhagen
- Airport transfers to hotel
- Three nights’ accommodations at Hotel Hvide Falk
- Daily breakfast
- Sightseeing as listed on the itinerary
- Hotel taxes
- Services of Albatros Adventure Staff
Not Included:
- Race entry ($685 for the Marathon or Half-Marathon, $885 for the Polar Bear Challenge)
- All activities listed as optional
- Gratuities and tips
- Incidentals
- Travel Insurance
Please Note:
- Single accommodations are limited.
- Luggage is restricted to 33 pounds per person on the Ilulissat extension.
- Additional nights in Copenhagen available upon request.
Airfare:
For this tour you should fly in and out of Copenhagen. The airport code is CPH.
Flights Information:
2024 flight time are not confirmed. The following are subject to change.
October 24, 2024 (Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq) 10:00 AM depart CPH – 11:40 AM arrive (SFJ) | GL781
October 28, 2024 (Kangerlussuaq to Copenhagen) 1:05 PM depart Kangerlussuaq – 8:25 PM arrive Copenhagen
October 28, 2024 (Kangerlussuaq to Ilullissat) 8:25 AM depart SFJ – 9:10 AM arrive Ilulissat | GL502
October 31, 2024 (Ilulissat – Kangerlussuaq) 7:15 AM depart JAV – 8:05 AM arrive Kangerlussuaq | GL501
October 31, 2024 (Kangerlussuaq to Copenhagen) 1:40 PM depart SFJ – 9:00 PM arrive CPH | GL782
ALL PRICES IN AUD
Polar Circle Four Night PackageDouble Occupancy Single Occupancy Old Camp - Ulo (bunk beds) - SOLD OUT $4,500 $5,010 Old Camp - Qajak & Tuukkag (twin/double) - LIMITED SPACE $4,690 $5,205 Polar Lodge - LIMITED SPACE $4,885 $,5700 Hotel Kangerlussuaq - LIMITED SPACE $5,470 $6,699 Pre/Post Nights Hotel Hebron Copenhagen $140 $225 Optional: Ilulissat Extension - October 28 - 31Double Occupancy Single Occupancy Hotel Hvide Falk - Standard Room $2,459 $2,875 Hotel Hvide Falk - Bay View $2,775 $3,225 Optional ToursCost Running Tour in Copenhagen | Oct 23 $115 Tundra Safari & Kangerlussuaq Tour | Oct 24 & 26 $159 Russell Glacier - Kangerlussuaq | Oct 24 & 27 $275 Northern Lights Tour - Kangerlussuaq | Oct 25 $99 Meet the Sled Dogs - Ilulissat| October 29 & 30 $90 Sail to the Oqaatsut Settlement - Ilulissat | October 30 $429 Greenlandic Buffet - Ilulissat | October 30 $135 Race EntryCost Marathon $685 Half-Marathon $685 Polar Bear Challenge $885
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Hotels
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KangerlussuaqHotel Kangerlussuaq
Hotel Kangerlussuaq is directly adjacent to the airport, which means it is also close to the marathon start/finish area. The hotel has nice and fairly large single and double rooms with private bathrooms. You can also opt for a quad room (family room) where four people can sleep – this means two twin beds and an additional bunk bed. Breakfast is served in the cafeteria, and the hotel also has a nice restaurant and a bar.
KangerlussuaqOld Camp HostelLocated 3km away from the airport, Old Camp is a traditional hostel format with small, cozy rooms and shared bathroom facilities. Old Camp’s accommodations are simply furnished, yet well-outfitted with all of the essential amenities, such as beds, linens, and a small wardrobe. The hostel consists of four buildings: three for accommodation and the fourth serves as the reception and boutique.
The Ulo building will look the most familiar to regular hostel-goers, as the rooms consist of bunk beds. The Qajak and Tuukkaq buildings feature double rooms with two single beds that can be joined together as a double bed. In every building, you will find a communal dining and living room, perfect for relaxing and sharing stories with fellow travellers.
Please note the Ulo wing consists of 13 bunk beds. When you select a shared-double for this property you will be allocated a single bunk bed in a shared room.
KangerlussuaqPolar LodgeIn terms of facilities, Polar Lodge is fairly similar to Old Camp (although with bigger rooms). However, it is only about 200m from the airport, and is directly adjacent to the start/finish area for the marathon. The total capacity is 16 rooms. Toilets and bathrooms are on a shared basis in the hallway. The lodge has a small dining room where breakfast is served, a small kitchen with a stove, refrigerator and kettle, and a souvenir shop.
Hotel Hvide Falk (Extension)This hotel is ideal for viewing and experiencing Disko Bay and the town of Ilulissat. There is a terrific restaurant and pub onsite. Choose between Standard and Bay Room options (both have private bathroom).
Hotel Hebron (Copenhagen)Located less than a 10-minute walk from Copenhagen Central Station, which is easily reached by train from the airport (15 mins).
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Event Information
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Race Date:
- Marathon – Saturday October 26th, 2024
- Half-Marathon – Sunday October 27th, 2024
Race Time: 7:00 AM
Organiser:
The race is organized by Albatros Adventure Marathons of Denmark and supported by the local community.
The Course:
The marathon and half-marathon take place on uneven gravel road and ice. You will run on the ice sheet, as well as roads. The ice sheet may be covered with a thick layer of snow, and the roads may be covered with ice. You will pass enormous glacier tongues and moraine plains and go through tundra and arctic deserts.
Temperature:
The weather in Greenland is unpredictable. Expect temps to be -10 C (14 F) at the start, and “warm” to 10 C (50 F) by the finish. Snow and strong winds may occur, which can drop the temp below 0 and cause concern for frostbite.
Entry Fee:
Entry to is$685 for the Marathon or Half-Marathon, $885 for the Polar Bear Challenge
Time Limit:
The course time limit for the marathon is seven (7) hours. The course time limit for the half-marathon is four (4) hours.
Number Pickup:
Numbers will be provided at the race briefing the evening before the event or will be picked up on the way to the tented camp-site.
Awards:
Awards will be given for the top three overall males and females in both races. Prize money is only for runners who live in the community. Each runner will receive a medal and T-shirt.
Running Shoes:
The Polar Circle can be run in a pair of normal running shoes or trail running shoes. Spikes are mandatory when running on the ice cap. Please bring a pair of running spikes with carbon steel points that can be fitted to your running shoes. This is a definite advantage on the ice sheet sections.
Difficulty:
Challenging trail course in a remote area with extreme low temperatures and wind.
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