FAQS

The Great World Race is an event in which participants attempt to complete a marathon on each of the 7 continents over a 7-day period. There is also a half-marathon option for those who prefer the shorter distance.

The Great World Race is organised by Ice Cap Adventures Ltd. in association with expert teams at each of the marathon locations. See the ABOUT US section for details.

Participants are required to arrive in Cape Town by November 12th. Following briefings and pre-departure preparations, competitors are flown to Antarctica on November 15th to begin The Great World Race. The event is scheduled to conclude in Miami on November 21st. See the SCHEDULE section for details.

The 7 marathons take place sequentially at Wolf’s Fang (Antarctica), Cape Town (Africa), Perth (Australia), Abu Dhabi (Asia), Algarve – Portugal (Europe), Cartagena (South America), and Miami (North America), thereby encompassing all 7 continents. See the LOCATIONS section for details.

No. Safety is paramount and Antarctica weather, in particular, is unpredictable. If the weather is unsuitable for safe flying and operation of the first marathon in Antarctica, we will delay the start of The Great World Race until it improves. However, once the first marathon begins, we will proceed with the goal of travelling around the world and completing The Great World Race within 7 days / 168 hours.

Yes. The Great World Race marathons will be measured by AIMS / World Athletics measurers and sanctioned by respective national athletics federations. The Antarctica race is also recognised by the Antarctica Athletics Federation.

There is a time limit of 8 hours for each marathon, but the Race Director has discretion to change this cut-off time on location. The goal is to have everybody finish!

You can register on this website under the REGISTRATION section.

The Great World Race entry fee is EUR 49,500, which can be paid in three instalments of EUR 16,500. The first instalment secures your place in the event.

The registration fee includes (a) Round trip flights by private jet from Cape Town to Antarctica to complete the first marathon (b) Business charter flights from Cape Town to Perth to Abu Dhabi to Algarve, Portugal to Cartagena to Miami to complete the remaining six marathons (c) Antarctica emergency evacuation cover (d) All logistical costs such as transport to and from airports as well as shower / changing facilities at each location (e) Accommodation in Abu Dhabi and Miami (f) Entry to each of the seven marathons, which includes aid stations, medical support, and official timing as per any regular stand-alone marathon (g) Professional photos of each marathon race for personal use, including social media posts and local media (h) Medals for completing each of the marathons and an overall Great World Race medal upon successful completion of all 7 races (i) A digital certificate of completion of The Great World Race for successful participants (j) Branded Great World Race merchandise (k) Inclusion in the Global Marathon Club, which gives special recognition to athletes who complete marathons on all 7 continents over a 7-day period.

Yes. The seven marathons are individual races and the person with the fastest average time over all seven marathons is declared The Great World Race champion in both men’s and women’s categories.

Yes. The Great World Race meets all the criteria for recognition by global and national athletics authorities, including the Antarctica Athletics Federation, as well as Guinness World Records and the Book of Alternative Records.

Yes. There will be substantial global media coverage of The Great World Race. Top photographers and video crew will travel with participants across the world.

Registered competitors will be advised on clothing for Antarctica.

On completing the 7 marathons, every finisher of The Great World Race will become a member of the Global Marathon Club which will have special recognition for those who complete 7 marathons across 7 continents within 7 days / 168 hours.

The Great World Race involves 6 flights per year and the calculated carbon omissions are offset.