WELCOME TO GREENLAND
Ice as far as the eye beholds. Impossibly beautiful, blue skies. Incredibly fresh air. Musk oxen and arctic foxes on the stark landscape of the arctic tundra.
Yes, Greenland is one of the most remote corners of the world. Feel the soft crunch of snow beneath your shoes while running through the arctic desert and Greenland ice cap. Immerse yourself in this rare and exceptional natural beauty.
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 will undoubtedly be the coolest experience of your life!
Travelling Fit is delighted to offer you a 5 Day / 4 Night Package plus an extension 4 Day / 3 Night Ilulissat Tour to experience the beautiful wilderness of Greenland.
Included in the package is a pre-event gathering in Copenhagen on Wednesday. Dinner and drinks will be served and race packets will be handed out to all participants. You will also have the opportunity to purchase some running gear. In order to go to this event you will be required to purchase an additional night in Copenhagen for the Wednesday, staying at Hotel Hebron.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to early/late flight times in and out of Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq, we strongly recommend that you purchase pre and post nights in Copenhagen. Please speak to our sales team prior to booking your flights.
- Packages Include
- Guaranteed Race Entry (Runners Only)
- Welcome gathering in Copenhagen (Wed 22 Oct) – if opting for a pre night in Copenhagen
- Return flights from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq including airport taxes
- 4 Nights Accommodation
Check in: Thu 23 Oct 2025 | Check out: Mon 27 Oct 2025 - Meals as per the itinerary
- 2-3 hour Guided hike to Mt Hassel
- Route Inspection to the ice cap
- Transfer to the race start (Runners Only)
- English Speaking Tour Leader
- Celebration Dinner and Awards Ceremony
- Personalised Travelling Fit Running Top
exclusive to Travelling Fit clients - Invite to Travelling Fit’s Polar Circle Marathon Closed Facebook Group
exclusive to Travelling Fit clients
PACKAGE FLYERS
PACKAGE PRICES
The Polar Circle Marathon Course
The Marathon takes place on uneven gravel road and ice.
The run starts about 4km from the ice sheet and follows the gravel road onto the ice sheet itself.
Coming back up from the ice and passing the starting point you have approximately 32km left to the finish line in Kangerlussuaq. It must be noted that although the road is gravel, it is likely to be covered in a layer of snow.
With endless ice and snow as your backdrop, your 42.2 kilometres will never seem so short especially when passing glacier tongues, moraine landscapes and echoes of the arctic desert.. If you are lucky you may also see reindeer and musk oxen grazing along the route.
The terrain is hilly all the way with the steepest ascents being the climb coming off the ice sheet and the approximately 75m-high climb 5km before the finish line. From the ice sheet to the finish line, however, the route has an overall descent of approximately 500m.
The marathon finish line is located in front of Polar Lodge in the northern part of Kangerlussuaq.
Testimonials
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- Polar Circle Marathon 2018
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- Polar Circle Marathon 2018
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- Polar Circle Marathon 2018
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- Polar Circle Marathon
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- Polar Circle Marathon
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- Polar Circle Marathon 2016
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- Polar Circle Marathon 2016
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- Polar Circle Marathon 2016
Race Information
Entry Fees
The entry fee for the Polar Circle Marathon is included in the cost of your package.
Qualifying Times
There are no qualifying times required for the Polar Circle Marathon.
Please note, however, that to participate in the marathon, runners must be minimum 18 years of age on race day.
Start Time
The Polar Circle Marathon is scheduled to start at 9:00am
CUT-OFF TIMES
There is a 7 hour cut-off for this event.
Runners still on the route after the cut-off time will be picked up by a race official or medical car and driven back to the finish area.
Race Timing
The races will be timed by Ultimate Sport Service using BIB-chip.
The BIB-chip is attached on the back of the bib number and will record each runners net finishing time.
Race Packets
The night of the 22nd October, all Polar Circle Marathon participants (runners and spectators alike) are invited for a free info and informal dinner at the Albatros Travel headquarters. Here you will receive your race packet, which contains your start number, race shirt, information on the route and more.
Any participants that do not make it to the dinner will receive their race packets at the airport on the morning of the 23rd October.
Note: the actual Polar Circle Marathon package starts on the 23rd October so if you are keen to attend the info and informal dinner night on the 22nd October, you will need to book a hotel room in Copenhagen for this night. Contact us for details.
Pace Setters
There are no pace setters for the Polar Circle Marathon
Aid Stations
There will be water supplies approximately every 5 kilometres.
All drink stations serve water (warm) and at selected stations you will also receive warm elder flower cordial.
There are no toilets along the route – meaning you will find a toilet … toilet paper is available at all water stations.
Remember that we run in wild and unspoiled nature and cups, empty bottles and other rubbish should be put in the litter bags at the water stations – please do not litter!
Personal Refreshments and Clothing
You can bring personal supplies and extra clothes for the race. Personal supply stations will be situated at the 10km, 21km and 30km mark for the Marathon and at the 10km in the Half Marathon. Personal supplies must be delivered at the starting area clearly marked with the runner’s bib number and name.
Be aware that any special supplies (gels, bars, drinks etc.) that you may need during the race should be brought from home.. While sports and running shops in Copenhagen will have a variety of foods and drinks for running you will not find such items in Greenland. Be aware that gels are likely to freeze.
Please note: Shoe spikes are mandatory for running on the ice.
Hat and gloves, and all-around wind protection is absolutely necessary during this race. Cotton clothing is a total NO-GO!
A minimum of 3 layers of clothing is recommended.
Base/Inner Layer (sweat transporting layer):
Must be a functional thinner layer that transports sweat away from your body (called moisture-wicking) and dries fast. Make sure it’s comfortable to wear and doesn’t restrict you in your movements.
Avoid base layers with zippers that touch the skin. Any product with Merino wool ensures extra protection.
Mid Layer (insulating layer):
Should be a loose weave fabric or fleece with additional thermal insulation thicker than your base layer. Again it’s important that it doesn’t restrict your movements, especially with the outer layer on top. The mid layer should provide warmth and breathability. Again it’s important that moisture is transported to the outside/next layer. Some mid layers even have wind protection, but this is not a must as you won’t be running without your top layer when windy.
Top/Outer Layer (weather-protective layer):
The top layer can be divided into two categories: Soft shell and hard shell. Regardless of what you choose, wind protection is the most important thing. Water resistance is a benefit too in case it snows.
Legs, Head and Neck
Running without wind protection on your legs may cause frostbite on knees, thighs and other lower body parts.
Make sure your gloves aren’t too tight around your hands and fingers – it’s better for airflow between your skin and the fabric. Layers will be an advantage in very windy conditions with inner gloves (liners) under a warmer and looser pair of outer gloves or mittens.
A winter hat is an absolute must. It should cover your ears too. Some prefer a functional moisture wicking hat while others opt for warmer traditional winter hats. A hat of 100% wool will have both features, but may be itchy for some people.
The neck should be covered with a scarf or a neck tube/buff. It’s important that the scarf/buff can be drawn up over the mouth and nose in case of strong winds. However, running with your nose and mouth covered for a longer time will cause condensation and make your face more prone to frostbite.
The use of tape on cheek and nose is not recommended. There’s no evidence that this will prevent frostbites, but it will definitely prevent the medical team from seeing signs of frostbite.
Sunglasses or light ski goggles will be a relief in sunny, windy, and/or snowy conditions.
TRANSPORT
Transport is included in the price of the package for all competitors on race day.
Expo
There will not be an expo.
Finishes T-Shirts, Medals and Certificates
All runners who complete their distance within the time limit will receive a medal and finishers t-shirt.
A small, symbolic award will be presented to the top three finishers in each race (marathon, half marathon and Polar Bear Challenge) in the male and female categories.
Finisher photos and other race images will be available after the race. Some race images will also be available in the gallery.
A finisher’s certificate will be available for free download after the event.
Weather Conditions
The weather in Greenland is always unpredictable!
On average we expect the temperature to be minus 15-10 degrees Celsius when the marathon is started. As the sun rises the temperature will typically rise to minus 10-5 degrees Celsius.
Snow may occur, but Kangerlussuaq is known for its stable and relatively comfortable climate with little precipitation.
Once again we stress that the weather in Greenland is unpredictable, so be prepared for even colder weather, strong winds and snow.
Others
Polar Bear Challenge – Take on the challenge and run the Marathon on the Saturday and Half Marathon on the Sunday!
