The marathon was one of the original modern Olympic events in 1896, though the distance did not become standardized until 1921. More than 500 marathons are contested throughout the world each year, with the vast majority of competitors being recreational athletes. Larger marathons can have tens of thousands of participants. The Berlin Marathon is a major running and sporting event held annually in Berlin, Germany. First initiated in 1974, the event traditionally takes place on the last weekend in September. Most marathon world records for men and women have been set at the Berlincourse, which is known for its flat profile, even surface, cheering spectators, and its frequently mild autumn temperatures. This is currently sponsored by BMW.
Miles away lies Antarctica …….. Earth's southernmost continent, containing the geographic South Pole. At 14.0 million km2 (5.4 million sq mi), it is the fifth-largest continent in area after Asia, Africa, North America, and South America. About 98% of Antarctica is covered by ice that averages at least 1 mile (1.6 km) in thickness, which extends to all but the northernmost reaches of the Antarctic Peninsula. Antarctica, on average, is the coldest, driest, and windiest continent, and has the highest average elevation of all the continents. The Antarctic Treaty prohibits military activities and mineral mining, prohibits nuclear explosions and nuclear waste disposal, supports scientific research, and protects the continent's ecozone. Ongoing experiments are conducted by more than 4,000 scientists from many nations.The Southern Ocean is home to more than 10,000 unique species including most of the world’s penguins, whales, seabirds, colossal squid and the remarkable Antarctic toothfish — the main target of fishing companies in the region. It is a crucial area for scientific research, both for studying how intact marine ecosystems function and for determining the impacts of global climate change. In Nov 2013, Antarcticawas the center as many converged – not for research but for sports…. It was for the ninth Antarctic Ice Marathon which took place at 80 Degrees South, just a few hundred miles from the South Pole at the foot of the Ellsworth Mountains The Antarctic Ice Marathon is the only marathon run in the interior of the Antarctic and is organised by Polar Running Adventures, the organiser of the annual North Pole Marathon.The five-day itinerary attracted competitors flying by private jet from Punta Arenas, Chile, on November 19th to the marathon location at Union Glacier. A marked course of 42.2km (26.2 miles) had been prepared and snowmobile support, aid stations and medical personnel readied at hand for the duration of the race. There also was the Antarctic 100k ultra race - undoubtedly, “the world’s coldest 100”, distance race.
It was not free-for-all ~ the registration fee was €10,500, which included the round-trip from Punta Arenas, Chile, accommodation and food at the choice arena. The Antarctic Ice Marathon was established by Richard Donovan / Polar Running Adventures to enable marathon runners to complete a marathon on all seven continents. It also enables athletes to complete the marathon grand slam - a marathon on all seven continents and the North Pole. So at Antarctica it was different action altogether… the silence broken only by the sound of boots crunching the frozen wasteland beneath as people ran animatedly. Toughest of the challenges as it was on snowy tundra where temperatures can drop below minus 30 C, intensified by strong katabatic winds — cold, high-density currents that swirl down mountains and glaciers.
With regards – S. Sampathkumar
