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Midnight Sun Marathon

Name: We Ran a Marathon in The Arctic Circle | Midnight Sun Marathon
Uploaded: 2026-07-07
Description: The Midnight Sun Marathon is an AIMS-certified marathon held every year around the summer solstice in June in Tromsø, northern Norway. It is promoted as “the world’s northernmost AIMS-certified marath

The city you want to run becomes your next trip.

Tromsø
NO

Midnight Sun MarathonDiego Delso / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0Svein-Magne Tunli / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0Ingo Wölbern / Wikimedia Commons / Public domainMolde20 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0Kawon Kez Sel / Wikimedia Commons / CC0

Race date in 218 days: Jun 19, 2027 Sat
City · Distance: Tromsø · 42.195km · 21.1km
Entry fee: NOK 1,200Varies by event and entry period
Status: OpenSee how to enter ↗

2027Date Jun 19, 2027 · Entry Jul 1, 2026 ~

2026

2026Date Jun 20, 2026

Official website ↗

Instagram YouTube

D-day as of Nov 13, 2026

About the race Runner stories How to enter Course Race Prep Travel

Why you dream of this race

THE DREAM

ABOUT THE RACE

A day you'll remember,
long past the finish line.

The Midnight Sun Marathon is an AIMS-certified marathon held every year around the summer solstice in June in Tromsø, northern Norway.

It is promoted as “the world’s northernmost AIMS-certified marathon.” Located near the Arctic Circle,

Tromsø experiences the midnight sun in summer, when the sun does not set.

As a result, the races start between late evening and the middle of the night.

Runner’s World named it one of the “10 World Marathons You Must Experience” in 2024.

The event comprises five categories: full marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K, and a children’s race.

It's also a citywide festival, with the whole town—not just the runners—cheering at finish.

The road to your own record

Picture the course in advance
and find the pace that fits you.

When the city cheers

Streets lined with cheers, runners all around.
You'll be part of that scene.

The trip that follows the run

Take it slow with the finish still in you,
and meet the city all over again.

#Tromsø Marathon#Midnight Sun Marathon#Midnight Sun Marathon#Arctic Circle Marathon

Stories from runners who've been there.

From the joy of finishing to the tough moments — read what runners wrote themselves.

Race reports: 5

Deb & Emily ParrisRan in 2026

“We crossed the line at 1.30am, still in broad daylight!”

They ran the 2026 Midnight Sun Marathon together. Starting at 8:30 pm, they crossed the bridge, passed the Arctic Cathedral and fjord views, and crossed finish at 1:30 am. What stuck with them most was the local support and cowbells, even on the remote stretches of the course.

Read the original on Canterbury Harriers

mrdeeds23Ran in 2025 · Finish time 3:54:34

“It was quite bizarre to a) have a race that takes place at night like this but b) be running in complete sunlight at what should be night time.”

In 2025, the runner traveled from Colorado to Norway and ran in bright sunlight at around 9:00 pm near the summer solstice. They especially remember the mountain and sea scenery and the residents' support, although they experienced toe pain and fatigue in the second half. They finished in 3 hours 54 minutes 34 seconds.

Read the original on Reddit

Jessie BensonRan in 2024 · Finish time 03:56:14

“The Midnight Sun Marathon was one of the most beautiful marathons that I have ever run.”

The runner finished the 2024 Midnight Sun Marathon in 3 hours 56 minutes 14 seconds. The 8:30 pm start, two bridge climbs, aid stations every 5 km, and stomach problems in the second half made it difficult, but the runner remembers the sunlight and scenery that remained even at midnight as the most special part.

Read the original on The Right Fits

ASheepOnFireRan in 2022 · Finish time 3:55:52

“The crowd were amazing here, Norway is a beautiful country and the people came out of their houses and clapped every last one of the racers, chanting Heia Heia Heia which I can only assume is a Norwegian thing!”

The runner took part in their first marathon and finished in 3 hours 55 minutes 52 seconds. Although the race started at 8:30 pm, the sun had not set, so the runner ran through bright scenery and experienced the hill climbs, narrow sections in the city center, and congestion with half-marathon participants. The residents' support and the fjord and mountain scenery left a lasting impression.

Read the original on Reddit

Run and BeyondRan in 2016 · Finish time 03:56:00

“My official finish time was 3:56 hours.”

The runner raced in Tromsø, where the sun doesn't set even at night. Rain, strong winds, wet clothes and cold feet made the second half brutal, but they kept going to the finish, carried by the fjord and mountain views and the cheering. Their official time was 3 hours 56 minutes.

Read the original on Run and Beyond

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.

See it on video,
feel it through their stories.

Preview the course and read what runners who went before you wrote.

I ran an EPIC marathon during midnight sun | Tromsø, Norway
Dom Rosenberg
View on YouTube

This may be from a past edition. Check the organizer for this year's course and operations.

The way in that fits you

YOUR ENTRY

How to reach the start line —
start with what fits you.

Here are the ways to enter and what each requires.
Check the organizer's page for whether entries are open.

General entry

Entry cost TBD

Online entry for the 2027 Midnight Sun Marathon is available through the EQ Timing registration page linked by the organizers.

You may enter the marathon if you will turn 18 during the race year,

based on your year of birth, and must pay the applicable entry fee at the time of registration.

Organizer's page

Official race website Entry options

From the start line to the finish

RACE WEEK

Your 42.195km

Know the course and time limit, and race day comes into focus.

From the 2026 edition

Runners start · local timeFrom 17:00

Time limit5 hours

Marathon 5 hours and 30 minutes · half marathon 3 hours and 30 minutes

Event	Time limit
Marathon42.195km	5h 30m

Early-bird registration fee (deadline: 2026-08-31) full marathon NOK 1,050 · half marathon NOK 720 · 10 km NOK 600 · 5 km (competitive) NOK 400 · 5 km (non-competitive) NOK 300 · Kids' race free
This is an early registration price, not a final price, and will be increased at a later stage.

City center · not the start line

We have not confirmed the start line coordinates yet. The map shows the host city.

START

Prostneset, Tromsø Port Terminal

FINISH

Tromsø city center

near Storgata

Finish · Google Maps

Cutoff
Mandatory disqualification for failing to pass the Stortorget checkpoint (10 km before the finish) by 00:45 · finish (finish gate) closes at 02:00

Original course map · msm.no

Runners start · local time — Varies by event (2026 times for reference) — Children 17:00 · 5km 18:00 · 10km 19:00 · full marathon 20:30 · half marathon 21:00

The Midnight Sun Marathon is one of the world's northernmost marathons, run through the sunlit summer night in Tromsø, north of the Arctic Circle.

The 2026 race set a new participation record, with 9,000 participants from 97 countries, and includes five events, including full marathon.

As an AIMS member race, all course are officially measured, and in 2024 Runners World named it one of the world's 10 marathons that runners should experience.

According to the 2026 course map, both the start and finish are in central Tromsø.

The race starts in the city centre on the island, crosses the strait and follows the mainland coast south to around turnaround point before turning back.

It then crosses to the island again, reaches the western turnaround point, and returns to the finish in the city centre.

The 2027 course may change slightly.

Distance markers show the distance remaining, so the first marker is 42 km.

The total elevation gain is modest at 239 m,

but there are two sections near approximately 1.5 km and 31 km mark where the course rises to around 40 m above sea level.

The final 10 km is mostly low and flat, making it suitable for increasing your pace late in the race.

AIMS Certified: Member race of the AIMS (Association of International Marathons and Distance Races)
Typical race-season temperature: around 9°C (48°F): Short sleeves or light long sleeves + arm warmers

Participant benefits

Timing chip

Event T-shirt

Bag drop

To the start line,
step by step.

Pick up your bib, check your wave.
So on race morning, you can just run.

From the 2026 edition

Bib pickup

2027 detailed schedule not officially released
2026 hours: Friday 10:00–20:00 · Saturday 10:00–21:00 (exact 2027 schedule not yet announced)

MSM Expo, Prostneset/Port Terminal, Tromsø

Google Maps

Jun 18, 2026

Shakeout run

A relaxed group run to loosen up before race day. No pace pressure — everyone's welcome.
Based on the 2026 race. This year's schedule is usually announced 1–3 weeks before race day.

MSM Shakeout Run with Arctic Blizzard

Arctic Blizzard Running Club · 5 km

When: Thu, June 18, 2026 17:30
Where: Polarmuseet, Søndre Tollbodgate 11B, 9008 Tromsø
How to join: RSVP required

Sign-up & details Google Maps

Stations & transport near the venue

Getting to the startTromsø city center, near Prostneset (harbor terminal)
Getting to the finishTromsø city center, harbor terminal area

Source · checked Aug 22, 2026

More details

Getting to the start

Tromsø city center, near Prostneset (harbor terminal)/Kulturhuset (Cultural Center), Tromsø, Norway

This is the Tromsø, Norway race. Start/finish/expo are all within Tromsø's compact walkable city center — most hotels within walking distance.

Marathon/half start in the evening (~20:30/21:00) to run through the midnight sun.

Map

Getting to the finish

Tromsø city center, harbor terminal area

Marathon/half marathon bag/luggage storage is at the harbor terminal, open 19:30-02:30 race night; 10km/Mini Marathon storage is at Kulturhuset.

Map

Start shuttle

Tromsø Airport (Langnes) is only about 5 km from the city center. Options are the Flybussen airport express bus (about $11), local city buses 24/40/42 (about $4), or a taxi (about NOK 200-300 to the center).

Source · checked Aug 22, 2026

READY TO RUN

From race morning to after the finish.

Your start time, fuel and bag drop.
Know them ahead and the run feels easier.

The expo is open from 10:00 to 20:00 on Friday 18 June and from 10:00 to 21:00 on Saturday 19 June, and bib is collected there.

Bag storage for participants in half marathon and full marathon is available at Havneterminalen from 19:30 to 02:30.

Attach the numbered tag for bib to your bag in advance.

Large backpacks and suitcases cannot be stored.

Queues form before the start, so it is best to check your bag in early.

Changing rooms and showers are available at Gyllenborghallen from 18:00 to 02:30.

Aid station are available approximately every 5 km, with water, Maxim sports drink and bananas.

At full marathon, aid station and toilets are available at Solstrandvegen, Tromsøsvingen and Sandvika.

Tromsø Red Cross rescue teams are also stationed every 5 km.

The time limit full marathon is 5 hours 30 minutes, and the finish gate closes at 02:00.

If you do not pass Stortorget, where 10 km remain to the finish, by 0:45 am, the race will be stopped and you will be recorded as DNF.

Plan your pace around the late-night start.

Times are local to Tromsø. Check the latest official information before the race.

A trip built around the race

STAY A LITTLE

MAKE IT A RUNTRIP

The race is one day,
the trip can be longer.

From a hotel that makes race morning easy,
to the meals and views you'll enjoy with the medal on.

Clarion Hotel The Edge

Hotel · 99m · 1-minute walk

8.6/10(3197)

View on Booking.com

Whale Watching Tour with Comfortable & Spacious Ship

NOK 1,729

View on GetYourGuide

Tromsø Northern Lights Dinner Cruise

NOK 2,011

View on Klook

Tromsø, Sommarøy & Kvaløya Half-Day Tour (Lunch Included)

NOK 1,708

View on Klook

Clarion Collection Hotel With

Hotel · 263m · 4-minute walk

8.6/10(2813)

View on Booking.com

Skjervøy RIB Whale Watching Tour

NOK 3,252

View on GetYourGuide

Radisson Blu Hotel, Tromso

Hotel · 123m · 2-minute walk

8.5/10(3402)

View on Booking.com

Hotel · 171m · 3-minute walk

8.3/10(3018)

View on Booking.com

Enter City Apartment Hotel

Hotel · 271m · 4-minute walk

8.3/10(2645)

View on Booking.com

Swipe sideways to see more hotels.

Closest to the start lineView on Trip.com

Time for you, before and after the finish

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

Trip prep too,
light and in one place.

Checklist Local eSIM · Trip.com Flight delay or cancellation compensation · AirHelp Pace calculator

Once saved, you can open this page without an internet connection

RUN TOGETHER

With runners who dream of
the same start line.

Post: 1
I ran Tromsø and it was so strange and nice to run late at night with the sun up. Bumpy on the bridge, but the crowd was wonderful.

Ask the runners preparing for this raceWrite a post

Course Bib & expo Getting around Stay

Tromsø runners' room

MAGAZINE.

MORE RACES.

FAQ

When does Midnight Sun Marathon 2027 take place?

It takes place on Sat, June 19, 2027 in Tromsø, Norway.

How do I register for Midnight Sun Marathon 2027?

Entry routes: General entry. Registration is handled on the official website.

How much is the Midnight Sun Marathon 2027 entry fee?

The main event costs NOK 1,200.

What is the time limit for Midnight Sun Marathon 2027?

Marathon 5 hours and 30 minutes · half marathon 3 hours and 30 minutes. (From the 2026 edition)

What distances does Midnight Sun Marathon 2027 offer?

Marathon · Half. (From the 2026 edition)

Where does Midnight Sun Marathon 2027 start?

Prostneset, Tromsø Port Terminal. (From the 2026 edition)

What is the Midnight Sun Marathon 2027 course like?

The Midnight Sun Marathon is one of the world's northernmost marathons, run through the sunlit summer night in Tromsø, north of the Arctic Circle.

The 2026 race set a new participation record, with 9,000 participants from 97 countries, and includes five events, including full marathon.

Where does Midnight Sun Marathon 2027 finish?

Tromsø city center (near Storgata). (From the 2026 edition)

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Midnight Sun Marathon

About Midnight Sun Marathon — what makes it special

A day you'll remember,long past the finish line.

The road to your own record

When the city cheers

The trip that follows the run