NOTES FOR FUTURE COMPETITORS

The 2008 North Pole Marathon incurred the first ever delay for the race due to the delayed construction of the North Pole camp by the Russian polar logistics company. Although competitors are clearly warned in advance of the possibility of delays in the Arctic, and the need to be flexible with travel arrangements, two of the competitors were unfortunately not flexible enough to wait out a several day delay. Please note, it is important to be time flexible when travelling to the Pole and to have flexible international flight tickets.

The 2008 marathon competitors were originally scheduled to fly to the Polar camp on 25th March and run the marathon on 26th March. Due to the delay in constructing the camp and runway, the Russian logistics company could not fly the group until the evening of 31st March at the earliest. The group neverthless requested to travel to the Pole on that date and attempt to return to the departure point (Spitsbergen, Norway) to make their international flights on the afternoon of 1st April. By proceeding in this manner, it was anticipated the marathon would require an 8-10 hour cut-off. Unfortunately, the time gap narrowed a little further on location and some competitors underestimated the demands of the event and cold, requiring more frequent rest than they might have expected. The result was that a few competitors could not complete the race fully in the time period allowed.*
Please note, in future the race will be conducted only when the camp is fully constructed and there is a minimum 20-hour period to conduct the event.

*Those who didn't get to finish the race because of the cut-off have been given the opportunity to compete again next year. There was absolutely no obligation on the race organisers to offer this.