Antarctic Polar Race Information
Welcome to the Antarctic Polar Race®, home of the official Antarctica Athletics Federation® Championships at the marathon distance. The race is held in the interior of Antarctica at White Desert’s premium basecamp, Wolf’s Fang.
Continental titles will be on offer in male and female categories. Participants have a choice of a 1-mile race, 10k, half-marathon, and marathon.
Athletes will fly from Cape Town to Antarctica and run a fully official marathon, then return to Cape Town.
Everyone is welcome to take part, 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.
Upon return from Antarctica, there is a second marathon event hosted at the spectacular location of Seapoint Promenade, Cape Town. The Lion’s Head Marathon™, available at no extra cost, incorporates a six-loop course that enables athletes to complete two official marathons on two continents in the same trip. From Ice to Fire.
SCHEDULE
Dec 2nd: Arrive in Cape Town
Dec 3rd: Pre-race briefing
Dec 4th: Antarctic logistics briefing
Dec 5th: Antarctica Polar Race
Dec 6th: Arrive back in Cape Town
Dec 7th: Lion’s Head Marathon (Optional)
How we get you to Antarctica:
You’ll meet us at the Winchester Hotel, our event HQ in Cape Town, for pre-race briefings. The flight time Wolf’s Fang on mainland Antarctica is approximately 5.5 hours to Wolf’s Fang Antarctica.
PRICING
An entry fee of €19,500 payable in 2 installments of €9,750, or one payment of €18,500–a €1,000 discount.
It includes round trip flights from Cape Town to Antarctica, participation in the Antarctic Polar Race®, medical evacuation insurance, and optional entry to the official Lion’s Head Marathon in Cape Town on return from Antarctica. It does not include international flights from your homeland or accommodation in Cape Town.
RACES
The marathon course brings you through the scenic Wolf’s Fang camp with excellent underfoot conditions and a picturesque course matched by no other.
Pick your challenge. Every finisher earns an official medal and a place in Antarctic running history.
- 1 Mile
- 10K
- Half Marathon (21.1 km)
- Full Marathon (42.2 km)
ENVIRONMENT & SAFETY
Operating in strict accordance with the Antarctic Treaty’s Protocol on Environmental Protection, we are committed to preserving the natural beauty and wildlife of Antarctica.
Environmental tourism guidelines ensure that we leave nothing behind but footprints and take nothing back but memories.
With our extensive knowledge and experience, we prioritize safety precautions when venturing into the frozen continent to run.
Join us on a journey to explore one of the world’s last untouched wildernesses while maintaining the utmost respect for its delicate ecosystem.
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. Antarctica has no native human population and is primarily inhabited by scientific researchers. This remote continent is governed by the Antarctic Treaty System, which promotes international cooperation for peaceful and scientific purposes. We expect our race temperatures to be -8C, though participants should be prepared for it being colder.
MARATHON ROUTE
Marathon Route: 8 loops of a 5.275km course around Wolf’s Fang. Loop. Marathon loop counts subject to change.
FAQ
The Antarctic Polar Race incorporates distances from 1 mile to the standard marathon distance. In 2026, the event will host the Antarctica Athletics Federation Championships over the 42.2 km marathon distance. Continental titles are on offer in male and female categories.
Enrolment for the Antarctic Polar Race® and Lion’s Head Marathon is handled by Ice Cap Adventures Ltd. under license by Richard Donovan / Polar Running Adventures. See the ABOUT US section for details.
You’ll meet us at the Winchester Hotel, our event HQ in Cape Town, for pre-race briefings. The flight time to Wolf’s Fang on mainland Antarctica is approximately 5.5 hours. The GPS coordinates of Wolf’s Fang are 71° 32′ ” South 8° 50′ East.
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.
The 2026 Antarctic Polar Race is scheduled for December 5th 2026. The Lion’s Head Marathon will take place on December 7th.
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 full marathon.
Yes, there is a limited race field capacity in accordance with aircraft capacity constraints and safety factors. Entries are accepted on a first come first served basis. Sign up today to reserve your place!
An entry fee of €19,500 payable in 2 installments of €9,750, or one payment of €18,500–a €1,000 discount. It includes return flights from Cape Town to Antarctica; participation in the Antarctic Polar Race; the option to run the Lion’s Head Marathon in Cape Town on return from Antarctica; medals, t-shirts, singlets, patches, gymsacs and other souvenirs of the events; emergency evacuation insurance; professional photos for personal use.
Included in the Entry Fee
- Entry to both the Antarctic Polar Race and Lions Head Marathon, which includes aid
stations, medical support, and official timing as per any regular stand-alone marathons. - Round trip flights by private jet from Cape Town to Antarctica to compete in the Antarctic
Polar Race. - Meals and drinks on flights.
- Antarctica emergency evacuation cover.
- Professional photos for personal use, including social media posts and local media.
- Medals and certs for successful completion of each race.
- Antarctic Polar Race and Lion’s Head Marathon merchandise.
Not Included in the Entry Fee
- Flights & travel costs from your home to Cape Town.
- Hotel costs in Cape Town, including if there are delays to the schedule. Participants are
advised to book accommodation in Cape Town from at least December 2nd to 6th (or
December 8th if you plan to complete the Lion’s Head Marathon) - Trip cancellation insurance.
- Medical insurance – all participants are required to have their own medical insurance for the trip outside of emergency evacuation cover for Antarctica.
Yes. The time limit for 2026 is 8 hours. It’s a groomed course, with a solid surface, fully prepared before arrival.
Yes, the course will be groomed in advance of arrival with fully manned aid stations and logistical and medical support.
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® for almost two decades. See the official website for more details.
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 2026, the Antarctic Polar Race is proud host of the Antarctica Athletics Federation Championships over the marathon distance.
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 us via the form below, register or book a call.
Get The Race Guide
Get the 8 page race guide with all the information on running The Great World Race with all the details on the event.