Home of the 2026 Antarctica Athletics Federation Championships
A variety of Antarctic Polar Race® events
1 Mile and 10km Races
Half Marathon (21.1km)
Marathon (42.2km)
Cycling / Duathlon
Ice to Fire
There is also the opportunity to run the Lion’s Head Marathon in Cape Town on return from Antarctica - at no extra cost.
Two Marathons - Two Continents - One Trip.
The Details
Day 1: Arrive in Cape Town
Day 2: Event Briefing
Day 3: Departure Preparations
Day 4: Antarctic Polar Race
Day 5: Return to Cape Town
Day 6: Lion’s Head Marathon
Day 7: Return to Homeland
PRICING
The 2026 cost & dates of this unique adventure will be posted around 1 December 2025. The event includes round trip flights from Cape Town to Antarctica, participation in the Antarctic Polar Race®, medical evacuation insurance, and entry to the official Lion’s Head Marathon in Cape Town on return from Antarctica.
How we get you to Antarctica
You’ll meet us at the Winchester Hotel, our event HQ in Cape Town, for pre-race briefings. The flight time Wolf’s Fang on mainland Antarctica is approximately 5 hours. The GPS coordinates of Wolf’s Fang are 71º 32' ” South 8º 50' East.
About the Organizers
Polar Running Adventures® has pioneered polar running over the past 20 years, bringing 1,400 adventure athletes from 70 countries to the most remote locations on the planet.
RICHARD DONOVAN - RACE DIRECTOR
Richard Donovan is the Race Director at Polar Running Adventures®. He has completed 40 trips as organizer and group leader to the North Pole and Antarctica. In 2002, he became the first person in history to run marathons at both the North and South Poles. In 2012, he set a world record for running marathons on all 7 continents in 4 days 22 hours 3 minutes. He has also completed transcontinental runs across Europe (2016), South America (2017), and the USA, twice (2015 & 2022).
A Race Director at numerous Commonwealth and World Championship ultramarathon events, Richard has additionally competed for Ireland at international level. He holds a primary degree in Classics, two postgraduate degrees in Economics, and a Doctorate l.c. in Project Management. Richard most recently co-founded the Space Athletics Federation® and is a member of The Explorers Club, a society of leading explorers.
The 7 Continents Marathon Club™
The 7 Continents Marathon Club™ recognizes athletes who have completed a marathon on all 7 continents. The Club has been operated by Polar Running Adventures since 2006. To be eligible for membership, you must complete a recognized marathon on each of the 7 continents.
Polar Marathon Club
The Polar Marathon Club™ is operated by Polar Running Adventures and recognises those who have run in Antarctica and the Arctic / North Pole. Members of the Polar Marathon Club are entitled to receive an exclusive Polar Medal.
Antarctica Athletics Federation
The Antarctica Athletics Federation® is the governing body for athletics performances in Antarctica, an initiative led by Polar Running Adventures. The Federation also monitors records in the Arctic, specifically at the North Pole.
Client Testimonials
About Antarctica
Antarctica is the southernmost continent on Earth, known for its extreme cold, vast ice sheets, and unique ecosystem. It's the driest, highest, and windiest continent on earth, with temperatures that can plummet well below freezing.
We expect our race temperatures to be a pleasant -5C to -8C, though participants should be prepared for it being colder.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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The Antarctic Polar Race incorporates distances from 1 mile to the standard marathon distance. In 2026, the event will host to the Antarctica Athletics Federation Championships over the 42.2 km marathon distance. Continental titles are on offer in male and female categories.
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The Antarctic Polar Race® is organised by Polar Running Adventures®, the world’s foremost authority on polar running. Over the past 20 years, Polar Running Adventures has pioneered polar running and brought 1400 athletes from 70 countries to the most remote locations on the planet. The race director is Richard Donovan, the first marathoner at both the North and South Poles. See polarrunningadventures.com.
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Participants will meet in Cape Town (Race HQ is the Winchester Hotel, Seapoint Promenade). The flight time to Wolf’s Fang runway in Antarctica is 5 hours. The day after the race, participants are flown back to Cape Town.
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Yes. The Antarctic Polar Race is a full member of the Association of International Marathons & Distance Races (AIMS) and approved by the Antarctica Athletics Federation.
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Yes. On return from Antarctica to South Africa, there is an option to run a second marathon event at the scenic location of Seapoint Promenade, Cape Town. The Lion’s Head Marathon, available at no extra cost, allows athletes to complete two official marathon distances on two continents in the same trip. The African event incorporates a six-loop course.
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The 2026 schedule will be posted by 1 December 2025.
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Yes. Everyone is welcome to take part (subject to medical fitness), whether you are a top athlete seeking to win an Antarctica continental title, or just hoping to cover a particular distance and knock Antarctica off your bucket list.
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Competitors have a choice of competing in a 1-mile race, 10k, half-marathon, and marathon. There will also be opportunities for a bike race and a duathlon event.
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Yes, there is a limited race field capacity in accordance with aircraft capacity constraints and safety factors. Entries are accepted on a first come first served basis. Sign up today to reserve your place!
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The 2026 entry fee will be posted by 1 December 2025.
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For the race entry fee, Polar Running Adventures will provide
• Entry to your race of choice in Antarctica
• Round trip flights from Cape Town to Wolf's Fang runway, Antarctica
• Emergency medical evacuation insurance for Antarctica
• Entry to the Lion’s Head Marathon in Cape Town, on return from Antarctica
• Medals, t-shirts, singlets, patches, gymsacs and other souvenirs of the Antarctic Polar Race
• Professional photography and video for personal use / social media. Media publication must be agreed with copyright owners.
For clarity: The entry fee does not include round trip flights from your homeland to Cape Town or your accommodation / meals in Cape Town.
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Yes. The time limit for 2026 will be announced when the itinerary is fully confirmed. It's a groomed course, with a solid surface, fully prepared before arrival.
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Yes, the course will be groomed with fully manned aid stations and logistical / medical support.
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The 7 Continents Marathon Club™ recognizes athletes who have completed a marathon on all 7 continents. The Club has been operated by Polar Running Adventures® for almost two decades. See the official website for more details.
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The Polar Marathon Club™ is operated by Polar Running Adventures and recognises those who have run in Antarctica and / or the Arctic / North Pole. Members of the Polar Marathon Club are entitled to receive an exclusive Polar Medal. The Polar Medal can also be awarded to those who have made significant contributions to polar running in various categories, including photography, cinematography, literature, research, exploration, and medical and logistical support.
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The Antarctica Athletics Federation® is the governing body for athletics in Antarctica. The Federation also monitors records and performances in the Arctic, specifically at the North Pole. In 2026, the Antarctic Polar Race is proud host of the Antarctica Athletics Federation Championships over the marathon distance.
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Registered participants will be given advice on appropriate clothing for Antarctica.
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We anticipate global news coverage for the Antarctic Polar Race / Antarctica Athletics Federation Championships. There will be official photographers and videographers to document your journey.
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Contact Race Director Richard Donovan @ polarrunningadventures@gmail.com for answers!