Please note the information below related to our 2023 packages and is subject to change to change for 2024.
Race Date: 1 June 2024
Race Start / Finish:
The Marathon starts at 21:00 in the evening and the Half Marathon starts 22:30
The race officially ends at 4:00. After 4:00, we will drive around and collect any runners still on the route.
Any marathon runners that have not begun their second loop within 4 hours will be held back at the start/finish area (the half-way point)
Cut-off Times:
Marathon runners have a cut-off time of 7 hours, while half-marathon runners have a cut-off time of 5 1/2 hours.
All runners with a net finishing time slower than these cut-offs will receive a FNT (Finished No Time) on the result list.
Route Description:
The Icefjord Midnight Marathon route will start and finish just outside of the historic Hotel Hvide Falk. Both marathon and half-marathoners will run the same route, but the marathon runners get the pleasure of enjoying the views twice!
There are virtually no flat sections on the run – instead, the course constantly fluctuates between mild ups and downs (generally not more than a few meters at a time). From Hotel Hvide Falk, you will follow the road for approximately 4 km through town. After climbing a wooden staircase, you then are on the ‘yellow track,’ which you will follow for approx. 3 km over hilly, rocky terrain. While the dazzling view of the icy fjord can be quite distracting, don’t forget to look where you place your feet!
Once you reach the old heliport at the Icefjord Visitor Center, the yellow track turns into the ‘blue track’, and you’ll follow a wooden path into the official UNESCO World Heritage site. The wooden path only lasts for about 1 km, and then you are running on trails again. After another 2.5 km of trail, you’ll reach Holms Bakke, and turn left onto the ‘red track.’ You’ll follow the red track back up to the old heliport, and then turn right to continue back into town. The course will be well-marked by race officials, and each track is additionally permanently marked with paint circles of their respective colours.
Back in town, you’ll follow along the road and take a tour of the eastern side of Ilulissat before running 4 km up to the airport. From this point, you’ll traverse the same path back to Ilulissat. For the half-marathoners, it’s just a hop, skip, and a jump until you are back at Hotel Hvide Falk and you can take some well-deserved relaxation. The marathoners will continue on to enjoy the Icefjord and the loop a second time!
There will be no race pacers at this event.
Route Logistics:
Kilometre signs are placed at each kilometre along the route. The signs are colour coded according to the distance they represent. The signs will also indicate the equivalent distance in miles. The tracks are marked with dots of paint of their respective colors (i.e., the blue track has blue circles), but we will of course be marking the route ourselves as well.
Water stations will be positioned along the route at approximately every 4 kilometres. Some stations will also serve energy drinks and energy gels. Personal supplies can be deposited at the start/finish area, which marathon runners will pass through halfway through their race.
Surface:
The Icefjord Midnight Marathon will be run on a variety of surfaces: pavement and gravel roads in and around the town, a short stretch on a wooden path, and rocky trails.
