Home of the Antarctica Athletics Federation Championships 2025

A variety of Antarctic Polar Race™ events

  • 1 Mile and 10km Races

  • Half Marathon (21.1km)

  • Marathon (42.2km)

  • Cycling / Duathlon

Fire & Ice

There is also the option to run an official marathon in Cape Town on return from Antarctica, at no extra cost.

Two Marathons - Two Continents - One Trip.

The Details

Marathon in Antarctica

7th December 2025: Arrive in Cape Town

8th December 2025: Event Briefing

9th December 2025: Pre-Departure Preparations

10th December 2025: Antarctic Polar Race

Fly to the spectacular race location at Wolf’s Fang to complete a two-loop marathon course. Return to Cape Town same day.

11th December 2025: Lion’s Head Marathon

Complete a scenic six-loop marathon course at Seapoint Promenade, Cape Town.

12th December 2025: Free to Return to Homeland

PRICING

The cost of this unique adventure is EUR 15,950, which can be payable in installments. It includes round trip flights from Cape Town to Antarctica, participation in the Antarctic Polar Race, medical evacuation insurance, and entry to the 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. We fly to mainland Antarctica on 10th December, fight time 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

  • Richard’s race was a unique combination of two things I enjoy: polar challenges and marathon running. Best of all, I didn’t have to haul a sled there. A fantastic experience that I would highly recommend.

    SIR RANULPH FIENNES (UK), Polar Explorer

  • My Antarctica trip with Polar Running Adventures was everything I wanted. It not only allowed me to go to Antarctica, but it also gave me a chance to get into the heart of the continent, stay on the ice, and really experience life there.

    BEIBEI FAN (CHINA), Marathon Runner

  • Richard has unified the world through his races, with participants of different faiths and races, different statures in life, disabled or not. He reaffirmed in my heart that I can dream big and make it happen.

    WILLIAM TAN (SINGAPORE), Paralympian

  • Polar Running Adventures events are the ticket to fulfilling your dreams. They are professional, straightforward, and built for athletes by athletes.

    MIKE WARDIAN (USA), International Ultra Runner

  • The greatest moment was when I carried the Marathon Flame from Greece and handed it to Race Director Richard Donovan. His polar races are something that will change your life forever.

    NASOS KTORIDIS (CYPRUS), UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador

  • Thank you for opening new horizons for so many people, for giving us unforgettable memories and emotions in such unique locations on the planet.

    GULIA DEFELICE (USA), Marathon Runner

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)

  • The Antarctic Polar Race is a new event that incorporates distances from 1 mile to the standard marathon distance. In December 2025, the event is host to the Antarctica Athletics Federation Championships over the 42.2 km marathon distance. Continental titles are on offer in male and female categories.

  • 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.

  • Participants will meet in Cape Town (Race HQ is the Winchester Hotel, Seapoint Promenade) and are flown to Wolf's Fang runway in Antarctica. The flight time is 5 hours .

  • 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.

  • 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 2025 event is scheduled for 10th December 2025, with the full itinerary outlined below.

    7th December: Arrive in Cape Town

    8th December: Event Briefing

    9th December: Antarctica Departure Preparations

    10th December: Race Day - Fly to Wolf's Fang runway. Return to Antarctica post event.

    11th December: Lion's Head Marathon, Cape Town.

    12th December: Return to Homeland

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Yes, there is limited capacity of 55 participants in accordance with capacity constraints. Entries are accepted on a first come first served basis. Sign up today to reserve your place!

  • The entry fee is EUR 15,950, which is payable in two installments.

    An initial deposit of EUR 7,950 to reserve your place is required; and a second installment of EUR 8,000 payable by 7th March 2025.

  • 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.

  • Yes. You should anticipate being able to complete the marathon race in 7.5 hours. It's a groomed course, with a solid surface, fully prepared before arrival.

  • Yes, the course will be groomed with fully manned aid stations and logistical / medical support.

  • 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 December 2025, the Antarctic Polar Race is proud host of the Antarctica Athletics Federation Championships over the marathon distance.

  • 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.

  • Registered participants will be given advice on appropriate clothing for Antarctica.

  • 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.

  • Contact Race Director Richard Donovan @ polarrunningadventures@gmail.com for answers!

Ready to take on the challenge of a lifetime?