The world’s northernmost firm ground marathon takes place in the Svalbard Archipelago amid summer snow and polar bears during the polar day

Content

In brief

The marker on the map indicates the city in which the race takes place and does not display the exact start or finish location.

Date:
5 June 2021 (Saturday)
Add to Google Calendar, iCalendar (*.ics)
Number of participants: 600,
marathon 2019 — 143
half marathon 2019 — 231
Course Record: —
Entry fee:
from 62 € (650 NOK) marathon,
from 52 € (550 NOK) half marathon

The Spitsbergen Marathon is an annual long-distance running event held in Longyearbyen on the island of Spitsbergen, Svalbard, Norway. The official name of the event is Spitsbergen Marathon. About 600 athletes take part in marathon race and other competitions (143 runners completed marathon and 231 finished half marathon in 2019).

In 2020 the Spitsbergen Marathon was cancelled due to the COVID-19 virus.

The northernmost European marathons on the mainland are held in Tromsø: Tromsø Midnight Sun Marathon in June during the polar day and PolarNight Marathon & Polar Night Halfmarathon in January during the polar night.

More about Spitsbergen and its attractions you may find here.

Spitsbergen Marathon 2019

Events and Activities

Marathon race, 26.2mi/42.195km (Spitsbergen Marathon)

The marathon race of 26.2mi/42.195km starts at 10:00 5 June 2021 (Saturday) from the sport complex Svalbardhallen in Longyearbyen.

Age limit: from 18 years old on the race date.

Half Marathon race, 13.1mi/21.097km

The half marathon race of 13.1mi/21.097km starts at 11:30 5 June 2021 (Saturday) from the sport complex Svalbardhallen in Longyearbyen.

Age limit: from 16 years old on the race date.

6.2mi/10km Race (Spitsbergenmila)

The 6.2mi/10km race starts at 13:15 5 June 2021 (Saturday) from the sport complex Svalbardhallen in Longyearbyen.

Age limit: from 13 years old on the race date.

Entry fee: from 29 € (300 NOK), 19 € (200 NOK) for children till 16 years old.

Course of the 6.2mi/10km Race, Spitsbergen Marathon 2017

Course of the 6.2mi/10km Race, Spitsbergen Marathon 2017

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Course

The course of the Spitsbergen Marathon 2021 makes two laps through the streets of Longyearbyen, the only real town in the Svalbard Archipelago, along the coast of Advent fjord (Adventfjorden), and in the wilderness among the snow-capped Arctic mountains.

The course is on asphalt and gravel roads.

Course of the Spitsbergen Marathon 2017

Course of the Spitsbergen Marathon 2017

Altitude profile of the Spitsbergen Marathon course

Altitude profile of the Spitsbergen Marathon course

The course of the Spitsbergen Half Marathon 2021 coincides with the marathon distance and consists of one lap.

Start and finish for all the races of the Spitsbergen Marathon 2021 is next to the sports facilities Svalbard Hallen in Longyearbyen.

You may find the official course maps of the Spitsbergen Marathon 2021 here.

The time limit for completing the marathon is 6 hours, for the half marathon distance — 4 hours 30 minutes. Additional limits are applied for certain points of the course.

Water and nutrition stations are located every 5km of the route and at the finish. The stations provide runners with warm drinking water, isotonic drink Maxim, fruit, juice, chocolate.

The route of the Spitsbergen Marathon 2021 is certified by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS).

Registration

You may sign up for races of the Spitsbergen Marathon 2021 online.

The entry fee for the Spitsbergen Marathon 2021 varies depending on the date of purchase:
from 1 July 2020 till 30 April 2021 — 62 € (650 NOK),
the entry fee may increase from 1 May 2021.

The entry fee for the Spitsbergen Half Marathon 2021 varies depending on the date of purchase:
from 1 July 2020 till 30 April 2021 — 52 € (550 NOK),
the entry fee may increase from 1 May 2021.

A license of the Norwegian Athletics Association (Norges Friidrettsforbund) is required to participate in the races. It is extra paid while registering or Race Pack pick-up.

Your Marathon or Half Marathon Race Entry includes:

  • Bib number with time measuring chip
  • Food and beverages stations along the course and after the race
  • Armed security guards on the trail for protection against polar bears
  • Finisher medal
  • Changing facilities and shower after finish
  • Online race results
  • Digital race diploma with indicated finish time
  • Medical aid if necessary

You may pick up the Race Pack with your bib number at the Expo of the Spitsbergen Marathon 2021 in the sports facilities Svalbard Hallen in Longyearbyen.
Pick-up desks schedule:
4 June 2021 (Friday) from 17:00 till 20:00,
5 June 2021 (Saturday) on race day from 8:30.

To get your Race Pack you should show your ID with photo.

No health certificate is required to enter any race of the Spitsbergen Marathon 2021.

Race Results 2019*

Men (marathon)
1. Matthias Werner Aust (GER) 2:59:46
2. Krisztián Tamás (HUN) 3:10:59
3. Lennaert Steen (NED) 3:14:05

Women (marathon)
1. Danielle Krijgsman (NED) 3:17:27
2. Silja Nordvåg (NOR) 3:39:06
3. Ina Strømstad (NOR) 3:40:28

* Source: live.eqtiming.com

Find your result and the results of your friends and companions here.

Contact Information and Links

Organizer’s address:
Svalbard Turn
Pb. 485, 9171 Longyearbyen
Norway
Тел. + 47 98 82 38 46

Social media:

* The race information is from publicly available sources and the official website of the event. Always check the official website for the most up-to-date information. If you see any mistake, please, write to admin@letsportpeople.com.

Weather during Previous Races

Date: 6 June 2020 (race cancelled)
Overcast throughout the day.
Temperature: 1°C – 3°C (34°F – 37°F)
Wind: 12 km/h (7 mph)
Date: 1 June 2019
Clear throughout the day.
Temperature: 0°C – 2°C (32°F – 36°F)
Wind: 42 km/h (26 mph)
Date: 2 June 2018
Partly cloudy throughout the day.
Temperature: 2°C – 4°C (36°F – 39°F)
Wind: 21 km/h (13 mph)

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Flights to Longyearbyen

From your nearest airport (based on your IP):

Prices are for round trip flights 3 June 2021 — 6 June 2021. Price information is automatically renewed. You may check flight prices for other dates here or use the search form in the right upper column (desktop).

If over the past 6 years your flight within European Union, Turkey or to these countries was delayed for more than 3 hours or cancelled, if you missed a connection flight because of delay, if you were denied boarding because of overbooking you are eligible for compensation of 125—600 € according to European Commission Regulation 261/2004 and Turkish Regulation On Air Passenger Rights. You may check your case for free here, it takes 2 minutes. No fee is charged until the compensation is paid.

Insurance

Race participants are fully responsible for their life, health and any consequence that may result from running a distance. Keep in mind that ordinary health insurance does not cover participation in sport events. Special sport insurance is preferable.

Accommodation in Longyearbyen

Find a hotel via online service that compares the most popular booking websites to get the best deal for your dates.

Have a look at what locals offer for a short-term rent. Such option may be cheaper, more comfortable and with better location than a hotel. You may book a room, an apartment or a house via airbnb.

Hotels in Longyearbyen:
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Tours and Excursions

Other Races in June 2021

M — Marathon, 42.195 km
H — Half Marathon, 21.097 km

The headline image is taken from pixabay.com in accordance with Pixabay License. The image may not illustrate any part of the event course.

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