SUmmer
Established 2003
The Authentic North Pole race
Press & Media
World's Coolest Marathon®
The North Pole Marathon® takes runners to the Geographic North Pole (90°N) to race on floating Arctic sea ice above more than 12,000 feet of Arctic Ocean. Established in 2003, it is the original and longest-running marathon held at the top of the world.
Recognized globally as the World's Coolest Marathon®, the event has attracted participants from more than 50 countries and has been featured by major international media for over two decades.
Media resources, press materials, and interview requests are available below.
Fast Facts
By the numbers.
2003
First Edition
Inaugural race April 17, 2003
18
Editions so far
Spring & Summer editions combined
655
Total Finishers
From 2003 to 2025
58
countries and territories Represented
Men's event Record
3:14:49
William Hafferty (USA) · 2024
Women's event Record
4:46:26
Becca Pizzi (USA) · 2025
global media coverage
The North Pole Marathon has been widely featured across major global media. Coverage spans television, digital, and print, with feature stories appearing in Travel, Human Interest, General News, and Sports sections alike.
The inaugural North Pole Marathon takes place at the Geographic North Pole (90°N), establishing one of the world's most extraordinary marathon venues.
Runbuk expands the event's international reach while continuing its polar expedition heritage.
While continuing efforts to resume the traditional spring edition, Runbuk launches the first-ever summer edition, opening a new chapter aboard a modern polar expedition vessel.
The North Pole Marathon welcomes its largest field to date, with nearly 90 participants completing distances ranging from 10K and Half Marathon to Marathon and 50K.
The 19th edition is scheduled for July 12–27, 2026, aboard the world's most advanced polar exploration vessel, departing from Longyearbyen, Svalbard, and navigating through Arctic sea ice to the Geographic North Pole.
A marathon at the Geographic North Pole, raced on floating Arctic sea ice above 12,000 feet of Arctic Ocean.
Cold, wind, shifting ice, and isolation create one of the world's most demanding marathon environments.
Since 2003, the North Pole Marathon® has brought athletes from around the world to one of the most remote race locations on Earth.
The North Pole Marathon is the internationally recognized 26.2-mile (42.195 km) marathon staged at the Geographic North Pole (90°N).
The race is staged on the frozen Arctic Ocean at 90° North, with more than 12,000 feet (3,700 meters) of ocean beneath the sea ice.
The North Pole Marathon® was traditionally held in April (Spring Edition) and, since 2023, has also been staged in July or August (Summer Edition). Runbuk has been the sole organizer of the event since 2018 and will continue to organize both the Spring and Summer Editions.
The inaugural North Pole Marathon was organized by Global Expedition Adventures on April 17, 2003, under the direction of Curtis Lieber. The winner was Martin Tighe (GBR), with a winning time of 5 hours 2 minutes.
The next North Pole Marathon is scheduled for July 12–27, 2026, marking it the 19th edition of the race and the 4th Summer Edition since 2003.
For interview requests, press inquiries, images, video footage, and b-roll, please refer to the media contact information below.