Antarctica Marathon™ & Half Voyage Two
Enter the Antarctica Marathon™ 2025
Marathon Tours & Travel has been offering the Antarctica Marathon™ & Half-Marathon since its inception in 1995. As the proud event organiser and the exclusive tour operator, we brought 360 runners and their supporters to this authentic event in 2024 on our two voyages.
The Antarctica Tour Package begins with three-nights in Buenos Aires for time to meet your running peers, participate in a few training runs and attend the mandatory race briefing and welcome dinner. We will fly you to Ushuaia which is located at the southern tip of Argentina. It is here where you will start your journey to Antarctica aboard the Ocean Albatros ship. Over the course of several days you will sail through the Beagle Channel across the Drake Passage, through the Shetland Islands before reaching King George Island – the location of the marathon and half-marathon!
During your travels you will explore the most pristine corner of the planet, coming face-to-face with Antarctic gems such as glaciers, icebergs, penguins, seals and whales. Historians and scientists will provide lectures on board your ship and you will experience wildlife excursions during landings in remote areas, such as seal colonies and penguin rookeries as well as the research bases.
The course on King George’s Island has marked gravel roads that connect the scientific research bases of Uruguay, Chile, China and Russia. Great care is taken to leave behind zero impact on the environment in this sensitive ecosystem. As part of this, we are restricted to having a maximum of 100 passengers ashore for the event at any one time. Marathon Tours & Travel takes their part seriously and has raised more than $600,000 for Oceanites, the non-profit scientific organisation that monitors the effects of climate change and the impact of tourism on Antarctica.
Meals Included
Two breakfasts & one dinner in Buenos Aires. Three meals daily, afternoon tea and happy hour on board your ship
Guide
Support from our team during your stay
Transfers
Specific airport transfers are included (see itinerary)
Trip Extension
Extra nights at Buenos Aires hotel on request
Accommodation
Excellent deluxe hotel & small-ship accommodation
Entry
Guaranteed race entry with a choice of distance available
Celebration Party
Unique and special post-race celebration and awards ceremony
Excursions
Selection of sightseeing opportunities are included
Coopah
2 week free trial for Coopah training plans
Travel Package Information
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Itinerary
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Wednesday 19 March 2025
Flights arrive in Buenos Aires, Argentina and passengers are transferred to the Alvear Icon Hotel.
Most flights will arrive at the Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) and transfers are arranged for only those arriving at this airport between the hours of 08:00am and 13:00pm.
There will be an optional light training run in the late afternoon.
You have this evening to explore some of this city’s famous restaurants just a short walk away in Puerto Madero.
Thursday 20 March 2025
Following breakfast, enjoy a half-day city tour, which will introduce you to the vibrant capital of Argentina.
There is an optional 16:00pm light training run in the National Park.
We look forward to seeing you at the evening cocktail reception, followed by a welcome dinner and the important mandatory race check-in/briefing at the hotel.
(Breakfast and dinner included)
Friday 21 March 2025
Enjoy free time today to explore more of Buenos Aires and/or participate in a light group training run at 16:00pm in the National Park.
You have this evening to explore some of this city’s famous restaurants just a short walk away in Puerto Madero.
(Breakfast included)
Saturday 22 March 2025
Guests on the Ocean Albatros will be transferred to the airport for an early morning flight to Ushuaia in the province of Tierra del Fuego, the world’s southernmost city.
Depending on flight arrival time, it’s possible you will have time to explore this interesting town with plenty of shops and restaurants; and then be ready to board the ship in the afternoon for your departure to Antarctica.
Once you are settled in your cabin, we will regroup with a Welcome Reception and briefing on shipboard safety.
(Breakfast and dinner included)
Sunday 23 March 2025
Today is spent at sea crossing the Beagle Channel and Drake Passage. The open bridge policy invites everyone to get a bird’s eye view of the navigational activity alongside the Captain and his crew. Videos and lectures will introduce visitors to the wildlife, climate and history of Antarctica.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Monday 24 March 2025
Today is, again, spent at sea crossing the Drake Passage. Videos and lectures will introduce visitors to the wildlife, climate and history of Antarctica.
When we arrive at King George Island this afternoon, the race operations crew will go ashore to set up the course for the following day.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Tuesday 25 March 2025
Race Day!
The course has been prepared with flags and mileage markers. Hopefully, Mother Nature will be kind with the weather!
The Wave 1 race will start at 07:00am and Wave 2 will start at 13:00pm with both starts subject to change based on weather. Marathoner’s should plan on a six (6) hour and thirty (30) minute time limit and Half-Marathoner’s will have a four (4) hour and thirty (30) minute cutoff (weather permitting).
After this major accomplishment, enjoy a post-race party and celebration this evening! The ship heads south overnight toward the Antarctica Peninsula.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Wednesday 26 March 2025
We awake to the panoramic views of glaciers, mountains and pristine bays and channels. Weaving among the icebergs, our destination is Paradise Bay, one of the most beautiful places on Earth.
A sunny afternoon will permit us to have a barbecue and race awards ceremony on the stern deck.
The zodiacs will bring us to shore for a visit to the vacated Argentine base nestled at the foot of a hill where visitors are welcome to climb to the peak for a bird’s eye view of the area.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Thursday 27 March 2025
Today, we hope to find ourselves in the fjords near the Lemaire Channel where humpbacks cruise for krill (small crustaceans).
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Friday 28 March 2025
Today, we hope to find ourselves in the fjords near the Lemaire Channel where humpbacks cruise for krill (small crustaceans).
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Saturday 29 March 2025
This afternoon we leave the “White Continent” to re-cross the Drake Passage.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Tuesday 1 April 2025
This morning will find us in Ushuaia at about 08:00am, where we disembark and check-in for our return group flight to Buenos Aires and then onward to your individual international flights back home. Flights departing from Buenos Aires to your home city should not depart before 20:30pm. You should consider booking a one night (or more) stay on the return to relax before your long flights home.
(Breakfast included)
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Marathon Tours & Travel reserves the right to change the itinerary due to flight schedule changes, weather or any other reason that it deems necessary for the safe and enjoyable execution of this trip. It may be necessary for some guests to overnight in Ushuaia on the return due to delays, flight availability or other reasons. In this case, the guest is responsible for the additional hotel cost.
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Packages & Rates
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Prices for 2025 from £9,240 per person
Antarctica Marathon™ Package | 13 Night Package: March 19 – April 1 2025
Features
- Three nights hotel accommodations at the Alvear Icon in Buenos Aires from March 19 to March 22
- All hotel taxes
- Full breakfast each morning at the hotel
- Airport transfers (see note below)
- Half-Day Guided City Tour in Buenos Aires
- Welcome Reception and Dinner
- Roundtrip flights to Ushuaia
- Ten nights on the Ocean Albatros
- Three meals daily, afternoon tea and happy hour on board your ship
- Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Reception
- Official Expedition Parka
- Official Antarctica Marathon™ Tech Race Shirt
- Lecture program on board your ship
- Zodiac and wildlife excursions
- Kayaking with whales option (additional cost)
- Ocean Albatros Staff Tips (does not include Expedition Team tips)
- Services of Marathon Tours & Travel staff
- 2-week free trial of Coopah bespoke training plans. Details on how to claim will be sent in your booking confirmation email
Not Included:
- Race entry, any distance, is an additional £205pp
- Meals unless noted on the itinerary
- Gratuities and tips, unless noted
- Incidentals
- Travel Insurance
- Airfare to/from Buenos Aires
IMPORTANT TO NOTE: Single occupancy on the ships is not available, all cabins are shared. If you are traveling alone, we will match you with another runner of the same gender. You may elect to have a single hotel room in Buenos Aires for a single supplement. Please see pricing below.
Airport Transfers
Airport transfers are provided for guests on arrival day (March 19) from 08:00am to 13:00pm from the Ezezia International Airport (EZE). Outside of these days/times, you are responsible to get to the Alvear Icon Hotel in Buenos Aires on your own. Airport transfers are included for your roundtrip flights to/from Ushuaia. Transfers are also included from the airport back to the Alvear Icon Hotel if you book extra nights after the cruise through Marathon Tours. Transfers back to the airport are on your own.
Flights
Flights should be booked in and out of Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport (EZE). You should plan your flights to arrive between 08:00am – 13:00pm on Wednesday March 19. Your departure flight should depart no earlier than 20:30pm on Tuesday April 1 to connect with your international flight home.
- Extra nights at Buenos Aires hotel from £125pp
Future Dates
Interested in securing your space on a future Antarctica departure? Signing up to our Seven Continents Club® will give you priority access to future departures. Contact our team of experts for more information.
Rates
All prices are per person in UK pounds sterling
Antarctica Tour Package - Voyage 2 Double Occupancy Single Supplement (in Buenos Aires only) Category F – Triple Porthole Stateroom SOLD OUT SOLD OUT Category E - French Balcony Stateroom (One Bed Only) SOLD OUT SOLD OUT Category D - Porthole Stateroom SOLD OUT SOLD OUT Category C - Balcony Stateroom £9,240 pp + £464 Category B - Balcony Suite SOLD OUT SOLD OUT Category A - Jr. Suite SOLD OUT SOLD OUT Freydis Suite SOLD OUT SOLD OUT Brynhilde Family Suite SOLD OUT SOLD OUT Optional Extras Price Per Person Marathon or Half Marathon Entry Fee £205 Extra Night at Alvear Icon in Buenos Aires (Double Occupancy) £125 per night Extra Night at Alvear Icon in Buenos Aires (Single) £244 per night
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Hotels
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Ocean Albatros
The Ocean Albatros, sister ship to the Ocean Victory, joined the fleet of Albatros Expeditions in June 2023. The Ocean Albatros is deployed to a large selection of expedition cruise destinations; Antarctica, the Arctic and various other exciting destinations in between.
With a total of 94 comfortable staterooms and suites, all with unobstructed sea views, most with their own balcony, the Ocean Albatros has become one of the most popular expedition cruise vessels in the world.
Like its sistership the Ocean Victory it offers two restaurants, a wellness area, an Albatros Nordic Bar, an open-deck dining facility, a modern lecture lounge, and other state-of-the-art amenities. The vessel has more than a 50% lower carbon footprint than traditional expedition vessels and is one of the most environmentally friendly, implementing the Green Initiative Program, ensuring both absolute comfort and sustainability for our guests. Unlike the Ocean Victory, the Ocean Albatros also offers a unique panorama sauna!
Alvear Icon Hotel - Buenos AiresEnjoy a luxurious escape in this newly built 5-star hotel owned and managed by the Alvear Group. You are a walk away from many restaurants at Puerto Madeira. With elegant guest rooms, gourmet restaurants, and five-star amenities it’s the perfect location to kick-off our Antarctica tour. You are also just a few blocks away from great running trails in the park along the Rio de la Plata.
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Event Information
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Race Date: March 25 2025
Race Time: 07:00am Wave 1, 13:00pm Wave 2
Course: The course will likely start and finish about 200 meters from Bellingshausen, the Russian base. The final course is measured and prepared the day before the race. The bases activity, the road conditions and/or the weather can alter our racecourse. We prefer a course that includes all four bases in the area (China, Chile, Russia, and Uruguay), which allows for a three-loop course for the marathon. The course is entirely on dirt roads, which often can be muddy. The course changes each year depending on the base operations as well as road and weather conditions. All runners must be self-sufficient and cannot expect any access to indoor facilities.
Environmental Commitment: The course on King George Island has marked gravel roads that connect the scientific research bases of Uruguay, Chile, China and Russia. Great care is taken to leave behind zero impact on the environment in this sensitive ecosystem. As part of this, we are restricted to having a maximum of 100 passengers ashore for the event at any one time. Marathon Tours & Travel takes their part seriously and has raised more than $600,000 for Oceanites, the non-profit scientific organisation that monitors the effects of climate change and the impact of tourism on Antarctica.
Charitable Objective: Each year Marathon Tours & Travel offers runners the opportunity to sponsor an official Antarctica Marathon™ and Half-Marathon Mile Marker(s). The proceeds of the Mile Markers are donated to Oceanites, which is the official non-profit organization of the Antarctica Marathon™ and Half-Marathon. In return, the runner gets to keep his/her sponsored mile marker after the race as a great souvenir! You can sponsor a mile marker by completing the Antarctica Marathon™ Mile Marker Sponsorship Form. Oceanites has been researching the effect of climate change and tourism on Antarctica for more than 30 years. They have collected valuable data on wildlife and plant populations to support further research on this most pristine part of our planet. In addition to the sponsored mile markers there is a live on-board auction during the tour with all proceeds going to Oceanites!
Temperature: Average temperatures range between 15F-34F minus the wind chill, which can lower it by about 10F. Heavy snow is rare but light flurries are common.
Course Time Limit: Marathoners must finish under six (6) hours and thirty (30) minutes, weather permitting. You must pass the halfway mark in three (3) hours and 10 minutes. Half-Marathoners must finish under four (4) hours and thirty (30) minutes, weather permitting. Course marshals have the responsibility to stop any runner from continuing who might endanger himself or herself through fatigue, hypothermia or dehydration.
Number Pickup: Race check-in and the briefing with emphasis on the environmental rules and regulations governing this event will be held at the welcome dinner in Buenos Aires. Attendance is mandatory for participation in the race.
Shoes: You will not need any special shoes. A training shoe designed for off-road running is best. Bring two pairs as conditions might be wet and muddy. Racing flats are not recommended.
NOTE: trekking poles or any other aids are not allowed in either event.
Eligibility: All runners must be at least 18 years of age on race day for participation in the marathon. There is no age limit for the half-marathon.
Awards: The top three overall for males and females in both races will be recognized. In the marathon, the top two in each age category will be recognized (under 40, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70 and over). All finishers will receive a finisher certificate and a medallion.
Difficulty: Very difficult, very hilly with constantly changing weather and running surface.
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Registration & Booking
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How to Book
To make your booking, click on the ‘book now’ button in the grid below, ensuring that you select the correct number of rooms and types for all members in your party plus all the required extras. When you book, we will require a deposit to confirm your place.
Additional Terms & Conditions for Antarctica Marathon
Reservations and Payments: To confirm your space on the tour we require a 35% deposit at the time of booking. 45% of the package price is then due 220 days prior to departure (01/08/2024). The remaining balance is due 130 days prior to departure (30/10/2024).
Cancellations: Up to 280 days prior to departure the deposit paid is refundable minus 25%. Between 279 days and 221 days prior to departure, the deposit paid is refundable minus 50%. Between 220 days and 131 days prior to departure, the cancellation charge is 75% of the total package price. At and after 130 days prior to departure the cancellation charge is 100% of the package price. Your notice of cancellation will only take effect when it is received in writing by us at our offices and will be effective from the date on which we received it.
Disclaimer
Marathon Tours & Travel reserves the right to change the itinerary, times, and/or running course without further notice in the event of extreme weather.
By signing up for this event you agree to the Terms & Conditions and the above payment/cancellation terms specific to Antarctica marathons.
Visa
Please note that it is each traveller’s responsibility to check visa and passport requirements and ensure that they comply. Obtaining a passport and, if required, a visa, is solely the responsibility of each traveller.
Passports
You must have a valid passport that matches the name on your airline tickets and the name on this confirmation for the ship manifest. Your passport should be valid for six (6) months after your return date. No visas are necessary for US, Canada and most countries. Please check online to see if you need a visa. IMPORTANT: enclose a copy of your passport photo page and page that lists date of issue, etc. with your paperwork.
Travel Insurance
Medical evacuation insurance for a minimum of US$200,000 in coverage is mandatory for all passengers.
We strongly recommend travellers to take out comprehensive travel insurance with sufficient healthcare cover, including cover for existing medical conditions and any activities you plan to do.
If you are unsure where to start, we’ve teamed up with Bikmo. Bikmo offer tailored insurance packages that cater for both competitive and non-competitive trips, covering you for many of our running events. If you wish to book insurance through Bikmo, you can benefit from an exclusive 5% discount*, simply use the code DESTINATIONSPORT5 at their checkout. More information can be found here.
*7 days European travel cover from £16.85. Bikmo non-competitive travel insurance is arranged and administered by Rock Insurance Services Limited, who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FCA number 300317 Bikmo competitive travel insurance is arranged and administered directly by Jackson Lee Underwriting (JLU). This promotion is provided by Bikmo Ltd Glendale House Sandycroft Industrial Estate Flintshire CH5 2QP
Event Waiver
In consideration for my entry acceptance, I hereby for myself my heirs, executors and administrators release any and all rights for damages I may have against the sponsors, organizers, government officials, Marathon Tours, Inc. and Albatros Expeditions A/S or its affiliates, or any individual associated with the event. I attest that I am physically fit to complete in this challenging event. I grant full permission to any and all of the foregoing to use my likeness in all media including photographs, pictures, recordings, or other record of this event for any legitimate purpose. I also understand that I am traveling to a very remote destination and that weather, acts of God and other forces beyond any person’s control may prevent the event from taking place. If the event is not held due to circumstances beyond our control such as but not limited to weather, acts of God or force majeure, I understand that no refund of my travel expenses or entry fees will be reimbursed.
Responsibility
These tours are operated by Marathon Tours, Inc. of Chelsea, MA who acts only as an agent for the passenger to the companies offering such services and assumes no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity caused by any reason whatsoever by any party offering such services. All terms and conditions offered are governed by the laws of Massachusetts. The right is reserved to cancel the tour prior to departure with a refund, less applicable credit card and processing fees, made as full settlement to the passenger. The right is reserved by Marathon Tours, Inc. to deny acceptance of a booking application by any person. Marathon Tours, Inc. may make any changes or alterations in the itinerary as it deems necessary for the proper handling of the tour. The sole responsibility of any airline used is limited to that set out in the passenger contract evidenced by the ticket. The airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time that the passengers are not on board their aircraft. All race participants must sign the trip application which acts as the race entry form and liability waiver.
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Seven Continents Club ®
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The Seven Continents Club®️ (SCC) offers a unique opportunity for runners to run on all seven continents of the globe, as well as providing numerous benefits to its members. The club operates as a global frequent traveller club for runners, offering waitlist priority for high-demand events, early pre-registration periods for a number of races in popular destinations and tour package vouchers for money off international tour packages. What’s more, Seven Continents Club®️ rewards all its members for the extraordinary achievement of running marathons on each continent with their own special finishers medal and certificate of completion. Join the SCC today!
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