A B O U T

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RICHARD DONOVAN - RACE DIRECTOR

Richard Donovan is the Race Director at Polar Running Adventures®. He has completed 40 trips as organiser 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.
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POLAR RUNNING ADVENTURES

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. No other race organiser matches this level of expertise and experience in the Arctic and Antarctica. We work with a network of associate specialists, including the world’s leading polar logistics operators. 
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ANTARCTICA ATHLETICS FEDERATION

The Antarctica Athletics Federation® , founded by Richard Donovan, is the governing body for athletics performances in Antarctica. The Federation also monitors records in the Arctic, specifically at the North Pole. The Antarctic Polar Race 2025 is proud host to the Antarctica Athletics Federation Championships at the marathon distance.
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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. 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.