The road to your own record
Picture the course in advance
and find the pace that fits you.

The city you want to run becomes your next trip.






THE DREAM
This is the world's most extreme marathon, held at the southernmost point on Earth.
Runners race across snow and ice at Union Glacier Camp near 80° south latitude, in howling winds with a wind-chill of -20°C.
Reached by chartered flight from Punta Arenas, Chile, simply finishing this race is a badge of honor for life.
The 2026 race is on December 13.
Picture the course in advance
and find the pace that fits you.
Streets lined with cheers, runners all around.
You'll be part of that scene.
Take it slow with the finish still in you,
and meet the city all over again.
From the joy of finishing to the tough moments — read what runners wrote themselves.
“The Antarctic Ice Marathon was completed on the original planned date December 13, 2023.”As a 2023 participant, Steph recorded how the flights and race schedule, which depended on the weather, went ahead as planned, along with the scenery they saw after arriving at Union Glacier.
“By the time I crossed the line, my left arm was pretty much frozen.”The runner ran 42.2 km in below-freezing temperatures, wearing three layers of clothing, gloves, and a beanie at the beginning. In the second half, the wind and snow intensified, making it difficult to breathe, and the runner lost feeling in the arms, but finished in 6 hours 53 minutes.
“This was not a race for time; it was a race just to do it.”Rick Kopf completed the 2023 Antarctic Ice Marathon. It was a snow-and-ice course consisting of four laps of a 6.5-mile course, and he said that the goal was the challenge itself rather than a running time.
“The entire course is on a snow covered glacier, making the terrain difficult to run on and producing much slower than normal finish times.”Chris Boundy took part in the 2022 Union Glacier race and finished in 5:22. He wrote that the snow-covered glacier course led to a slower time than usual.
“What I underestimated the most was the softness underfoot.”Brett Clark ran across snow-covered glacier terrain at the 2022 Antarctic Ice Marathon. The soft surface made the 42K feel like running on sand, and despite cramps, he finished 15th in 5:17:18.
“My body was screaming stop.”The runner took part in the Antarctic Ice Marathon after being ill before the race. In the snowstorm and low visibility, the runner alternated between running and walking at first, then walked for most of the second half and finished within the time limit.
“Without exaggerating, it was one of the best experiences of my life.”
Javier Castro Guinea took part in the 2016 Union Glacier race and finished in 7:02:14. He described the Antarctic scenery and the bonds that formed between runners and race staff during the event as an unforgettable experience.
Quoted from the original · translated
Puedo decir sin exagerar que ha sido una de las mejores experiencias de mi vida.
Read the original on Basurde Xiao Long“The Ice Marathon ‘track’ is of course just on snow and ice.”Johnny Blair wrote about running the Ice Marathon course alone at Union Glacier. He ran four laps of the 10 km course on snow and ice. His running time was recorded as 4 hours 53 minutes, but he stated that the actual elapsed time, including rest breaks, was approximately 6 hours 30 minutes.
We translated a short line from each public race report and summarized the experience. Finish times are as stated by the author, and past editions may differ from this year's weather and operations.
Preview the course and read what runners who went before you wrote.
Runbuk · Full recap
This may be from a past edition. Check the organizer for this year's course and operations.
YOUR ENTRY
Here are the ways to enter and what each requires.
Check the organizer's page for whether entries are open.
Participation only through travel agency package registration (including flights, accommodations, and competitions)
RACE WEEK
Know the course and time limit, and race day comes into focus.
10 hours (full marathon time limit)
The start time and cut-off follow the official announcement (checked 2026.7) — re-check on the official page before entering.
US$22,500
Marathon Entry fee — Package fare including round-trip flights and accommodation and meals (early full-payment rate: US$21,900)
We have not confirmed the start line coordinates yet. The map shows the host city.
Cut-off
full 10h · half 6h · source https://www.icemarathon.com/registration
Marathon · Half
Marathon · Half
Marathon · Half
Pick up your bib, check your wave.
So on race morning, you can just run.
Pre-briefing held in Punta Arenas, Chile before departure for Antarctica (moving to Antarctica on 12/10 and 12/12 based on 2026 itinerary).
Before leaving Punta Arenas, undergo a winter clothing suitability test.
Separate expo or bib pickup location and time are not specified on the official page.
No public transit exists in Antarctica
Start/finish is at the Union Glacier camp, Antarctica.
All access is via chartered flights: runners fly from Punta Arenas, Chile to Union Glacier on a logistics-operator aircraft (Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions).
This is a unique expedition-style event with no conventional local transit;
access is entirely via organizer-arranged charter logistics from Punta Arenas, Chile.
Same as start (Union Glacier camp) — no conventional transit applicable
Finish is at the same Union Glacier camp location as the start.
Entry fee Includes round trip to Punta Arenas Airport and round trip flight from Punta Arenas to Antarctica, maximum 25 kg of checked baggage
The entry fee (USD $22,500) includes round-trip charter flights Punta Arenas–Antarctica,
ground transfers to/from Punta Arenas airport, and all in-camp logistics —
functioning as the 'shuttle' for this event.
Your start time, fuel and bag drop.
Know them ahead and the run feels easier.
This event is an expedition program that includes round-trip flights to Antarctica and camp accommodation and meals in the Entry fee.
You need more than 1 year to prepare, so plan early.
Katabatic winds are more dangerous than the cold.
Training in windproof and insulating layers and trail shoes with grip on ice is essential.
The official equipment guidance recommends bringing spare upper- and lower-body base layers so you can change out of wet clothing,
as well as an extra pair of gloves and socks.
Check in advance that your running shoes have enough room for your feet when you wear thick socks.
Goggles or sports sunglasses are also included in the official equipment list.
Hand warmers for keeping your feet warm are also recommended equipment from the organizer.
Times are local to Union Glacier. Check the latest official information before the race.
STAY A LITTLE
From a hotel that makes race morning easy,
to the meals and views you'll enjoy with the medal on.
Once saved, you can open this page without an internet connection
Be the first runner
Leave this room's first post
It takes place on Sun, December 13, 2026 in Union Glacier, Antarctica.
Entry routes: Tour package. Registration is handled on the official website.
From $22,500, depending on the event and registration period.
10 hours (full marathon time limit).
Marathon · Half.
full 10h · half 6h · source https://www.icemarathon.com/registration.