How to run a five-hour marathon–and win

Oh, the glory of breaking the tape and winning a race—a feeling probably experienced by less than five per cent of runners. But what if we told you that you don’t need to be running sub-three to win races? What if even a five-hour marathon could lead you to the promised land?

The winner of the most recent South Pole Marathon at the National Science Foundation’s Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station in Antarctica on Jan. 21, finished the race in four hours and 57 minutes, averaging approximately seven minutes per kilometre (11:20 per mile). This year, the race attracted around 15 entrants, and while it’s free to enter, you just have to be ready to spend the $40,000 to get there.

This annual race takes place in the middle of summer at the South Pole, where the sun is up around the clock, and the average seasonal temperature hovers around -30 C. (This could make Manitoba’s winter climate a seemingly perfect training location in the months leading up.)

Irish runner sets course record at chilly Antarctic marathon

Winning the race might not be as easy as it sounds. The Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station is situated on the polar plateau about 2,860 metres above sea level— so maybe add an altitude tent to your shopping cart. The winner of this year’s race has a half marathon best of 1:38, plus they’ve done a lot of trail races, so maybe add some hill workouts to your training plan. 

The South Pole Marathon course is a 10.5-km loop that starts at the front door of the station, then proceeds down the road next to the skiway (a runway for ski planes) for four kilometres before turning around and heading back toward the start. Each loop takes runners around the ceremonial South Pole (the mirrored sphere with flags behind it). The best part is there’s an indoor aid station each lap, offering non-frozen food, and your close friends and family can cheer you on.

You might be reading this and wondering, “What are the post-race perks?” Well, there’s a sauna at the station where all finishers can unwind, replenish their oxygen and rehydrate their lungs.

So what are you waiting for? Find a remote destination race and win it.