Antarctic Polar Race

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. The GPS coordinates of Wolf’s Fang are 71° 32′ ” South 8° 50′ East.

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.

Rules & Regulations

1. The Antarctic Polar Race® 2026 incorporates a variety of distance options, including a standard 42.2km marathon race.
2. Participants can take part in the official Lion’s Head Marathon in Cape Town, on return from Antarctica.
3. There may be a time limit imposed of 8 hours to complete the Antarctica event. The time limit can be changed at the discretion of the Event Director in accordance with weather conditions and safety, or related logistical time pressures. The goal is to have everybody finish!
4. Results of each event will be categorized into male and female categories.
5. Competitors must agree to abide by the instructions of the Race Director, and logistics & medical personnel.

CANCELLATION & INSURANCE

We want you to feel confident and well-prepared for your trip, so here’s everything you need to know:

Medical Cover

Medical evacuation from Antarctica is included as part of your trip. However, you’ll need to arrange your own travel medical insurance to make sure you’re fully covered while you’re away.

Cancellation Insurance (Recommended)

Cancellation insurance isn’t included, but we strongly recommend taking out a policy that covers you if your plans change. This can help protect you in situations like:

• Unexpected changes to your health
• Adjustments to travel or logistics
• Changes to the event schedule
• Other unforeseen circumstances outside of our control

If you choose to withdraw from the event, any costs incurred will need to be covered by you— this is where cancellation insurance can really help.

Refunds

• More than 4 months before the event: your initial deposit (€9,750) is non-refundable, but any additional payments you’ve made will be returned to you.
• Less than 4 months before the event: Unfortunately, we’re unable to offer refunds within this period.

YOUR INFORMATION

Once you submit your application and entry fee, we’ll collect your passport details and relevant medical information to help us safely organise your trip.

RESPONSIBILITY

Ice Cap Adventures reserves the right to change the dates if circumstances dictate for any reason. Participants must get flexible flights and accommodation when travelling to Cape Town and for their return home after the event in case of delays or a date change. Ice Cap Adventures will not be liable for any additional costs incurred by competitors in preparing for the trip if a date change occurs.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

It is incumbent upon participants to have a valid passport and any necessary visas / travel documents, if required, for all destinations on the trip. Ice Cap Adventures Ltd will assist in supplying a supporting letter for visas. Participants will also need to adhere to health vaccination policies for each destination, which may include vaccination certificates and / or PCR tests. *Please note there is no visa required for Antarctica.

BAGGAGE WEIGHT

Participants will only bring hand baggage to Antarctica. Participants will be able to store excess luggage in Cape Town when travelling to Antarctica.

USE OF IMAGE

I accept that I may be photographed, filmed, and/or interviewed during the Antarctic Polar Race / Lion’s Head Marathon events. I agree to allow my name, photo, video or film likeness to be used for any legitimate promotional or broadcast purposes by the event holders, producers, sponsors, organizers and assigns.

VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK

I acknowledge that I have voluntarily applied to participate in the Antarctic Polar Race / Lion’s Head Marathon 2026 and that I have carefully read and understand the description, terms & conditions and recommendations of the event. I certify that I am in good health, have no underlying conditions that make it imprudent for me to take part, and that I will notify organisers if there is any change in this status.

I also understand that Ice Cap Adventures Ltd. works with White Desert, a specialist polar logistics company in the organization of the marathon in Antarctica. I may additionally be required to complete White Desert’s standard polar travel forms and agree to their conditions.

I understand that Antarctica is the most remote and one of the most inhospitable and undeveloped regions of the planet. Logistics problems are enormous, the weather ferocious and unpredictable. Delays of days or longer must be anticipated.

I understand that the risks of traveling and competing in Antarctica include, without limitation, extreme weather conditions that can change rapidly and without warning; that temperatures in

November in the Antarctica runway can fall below -40 degrees Celsius, with wind chills even lower; that bad weather and aircraft malfunction could strand a trip for days; and that prolonged exposure to the Antarctic environment can cause loss of fingers, toes, and body parts due to frostbite, or loss of life due to hypothermia, dehydration and other means.

Furthermore, I understand that participating in physical activities such as running in Antarctica may, in a worst-case scenario, place me at risk of death from causes such as the frigid conditions. I fully understand that I am in a remote region devoid of many medical supplies and facilities, as well as rapid evacuation capabilities.

In consideration of being permitted to participate in this trip, I fully assume responsibility upon myself for such bodily, mental, and financial injuries caused by, but not limited to various surface transportation, accidents, aircraft malfunctions, hazards of traveling in the Antarctic environment, forces of nature, civil unrest, terrorism, and other perils. The impact of wide temperature fluctuations will also be a factor in impacting my health, with a possible variation of 50+ Degrees Celsius between Antarctica and Cape Town. I hereby assume all risks, including those mentioned above, in exchange for the thrill and adventure of traveling to Antarctica and my decision to participate in the Antarctic Polar Race and Lion’s Head Marathon.

I understand that I will undoubtedly suffer from a combination of marathon fatigue, jet lag and sleep deprivation as the event progresses across the seven continents, all of which may have adverse consequences on my health. The impact of wide temperature fluctuations will also be a factor in impacting my health, with a possible variation of 50+ Degrees Celsius. I fully assume responsibility upon myself for these potential adverse health impacts as well as any bodily, mental, and financial injuries caused by, but not limited to various surface transportation, accidents, aircraft malfunctions, hazards of traveling, forces of nature, delays, civil unrest, terrorism, theft, and other perils.

I understand The Antarctic Polar Race is unique and without comparison to other logistical and physical challenges and there is a real risk the event may not conclude within the set timeframe.

I hereby assume all risks, including those mentioned above, as a result of my decision to participate in The  Antarctic Polar Race.

RELEASE FROM LIABILITY

In consideration of the services of Ice Cap Adventures Ltd, Richard Donovan / Polar Running Adventures, agents, owners, officers, volunteers, participants, employees, sponsors, medical personnel and all other persons, or entities acting in any capacity on their behalf: I hereby agree to release, indemnify, and discharge them, on behalf of myself, my children, my parents, my heirs, assigns, personal representatives and estate as follows:

I release Ice Cap Adventures Ltd, Sligo, Ireland, Richard Donovan / Polar Running Adventures, and all of its agents, representatives and other entities working with, or acting on their behalf, from any and all liability, actions, causes of actions, suits, debts, and demands that I may have for bodily injury, death, or property damage, loss of income, delays and claims of every sort and nature whatsoever which may arise out of or in connection with my participation in the Antarctic Polar Race and Lion’s Head Marathon.

GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION

The validity, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Ireland. The parties hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Republic of Ireland as regards any claim, dispute, or matter arising out of, or in connection with this Agreement.