The northernmost European winter races include a marathon, half marathon, 10km, and 5km race, all taking place in Tromsø during the polar night period, offering participants a chance to witness the aurora borealis

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

The Tromsø Marathon and Half Marathon are annual long-distance running events held in Tromsø, Norway. The official name of the marathon is the Ishavskraft Marathon, and the half marathon is known as the PolarNight Halfmarathon. Approximately 2,000 athletes participate in the marathon race and other competitions (61 runners completed the marathon, and 644 finished the half marathon in 2023).

The first Tromsø Marathon (Ishavskraft Marathon) took place in 2021, while the 2022 races were canceled due to the COVID-19 crisis.

The PolarNight races occur in the beginning of the year, when the sun does not rise above the horizon in Tromsø, located 400km north of the Arctic Circle. Participants have an chance to run under the polar lights (aurora borealis). In contrast, during the summer, the Tromsø Midnight Sun Marathon and Half Marathon take place during the polar day.

You can find more information about Tromsø and its attractions here, and learn more about Northern Norway here.

Tromsø PolarNight Marathon 2023

Tromsø, Norway

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

The marathon race starts at 13:00 6 January 2024 (Saturday) from the road 862 (fylkesvei 862) near the northeastern part of Kattfjorden, known as Nordfjorden, on Kvaløya island.

Age limit: at least 18 years old as of 31 December 2024.

Half Marathon race, 13.1mi/21.097km (PolarNight Halfmarathon)

The half marathon race starts at 15:00 6 January 2024 (Saturday) from Storgata Street near Tromsø Town Hall (Tromsø Rådhus).

Age limit: at least 15 years old as of 31 December 2024.

6.2mi/10km Race (Mørketidsmila)

The 6.2mi/10km race starts at 15:15 6 January 2024 (Saturday) from Storgata Street near Tromsø Town Hall (Tromsø Rådhus).

Age limit: at least 12 years old as of 31 December 2024.

The entry fee is €44—70 (NOK 500—800).

Course of the 6.2mi/10km race, Tromsø PolarNight Marathon 2024

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3.1mi/5km Race (Mørketidstrim)

The 3.1mi/5km race starts at 15:20 6 January 2024 (Saturday) from Storgata Street near Tromsø Town Hall (Tromsø Rådhus).

There is no age limit to participate in this race.

The entry fee ranges from €31 to €52 (NOK 350 to NOK 600).

Course of the 3.1mi/5km race, Tromsø PolarNight Marathon 2024

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The course of the Tromsø Marathon (Ishavskraft Marathon) 2024 follows a point-to-point route along road 862 (fylkesvei 862) on Kvaløya island, leading runners to the secluded outer coastline, where it is truly dark. The route includes crossing the Sandnes Strait to the island of Tromsøya over the cantilever 1.22km-long Sandnessund Bridge (Sandnessundbrua).

Marathon participants must wear a reflective vest and have a headlamp.

Kilometer markers are placed every 5km along the course of the Tromsø Marathon (Ishavskraft Marathon) and Tromsø Half Marathon (PolarNight Halfmarathon) 2024. During the last 5km, kilometer markers are present for each kilometer, counting down.

Course of the Tromsø Marathon (Ishavskraft Marathon) 2024 with elevation profile

The course of the Tromsø Half Marathon (PolarNight Halfmarathon) 2024 is an out-and-back route that coincides with part of the marathon course. It runs through the streets of Tromsøya island, extends to the airport area, and returns to the city center. If weather permits, the course is marked with burning candles.

Participants are advised to wear spikes on their shoes due to potentially slippery and icy conditions.

Course of the Tromsø Half Marathon (PolarNight Halfmarathon) 2024

Course video, Tromsø Half Marathon (PolarNight Halfmarathon) 2015

The Tromsø Marathon (Ishavskraft Marathon) 2024 begins on road 862 (fylkesvei 862) near the northeastern part of Kattfjorden, known as Nordfjorden, on Kvaløya island (Sjøtunvegen 242, 9100 Kvaløysletta).

The finish line for all races and the start of the Tromsø Half Marathon (PolarNight Halfmarathon) 2024, is located on Storgata, the main street of the city, near Tromsø Town Hall (Tromsø Rådhus).

You can find the official course maps of the Tromsø Marathon (Ishavskraft Marathon) and Half Marathon (PolarNight Halfmarathon) 2024 here.

The time limit for completing the marathon is 5 hours, and for the half marathon, it is 3 hours. Additional time limits may apply at certain points along the course.

Water and nutrition stations are available every 3.1mi/5km on the half marathon route (every 6.2mi/10km on the marathon route), as well as at the finish line. These stations provide runners with water, sports drink, and hot juice, coffee and snacks at the finish. Please note that toilets are only available at the start and finish areas.

Prior to the start, you can leave your personal belongings at the baggage deposit area near the start and finish zone in Kulturhuset (Erling Bangsunds plass 1, 9008 Tromsø) on 6 January 2023 (Saturday), from 14:00 to 18:30.

Your bag should be marked with a sticker that has your race number on it. The sticker is included in your Race Pack along with your bib number.

The routes of the Tromsø Marathon (Ishavskraft Marathon) and Half Marathon (PolarNight Halfmarathon) 2024 are certified by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS).

You can sign up for races of the Tromsø Marathon (Ishavskraft Marathon) and Half Marathon (PolarNight Halfmarathon) 2024 online.

If slots are available you may also sign up for the competitions on the race day 6 January 2024 (Saturday, on race day) in Tromsø Town Hall (Tromsø Rådhus, Rådhusgata 2, Tromsø).

Please note that you can only sign up for the Tromsø Marathon (Ishavskraft Marathon) 2024 if you completed a marathon in under 4:00:00 hours in 2021, 2022 or 2023.

The entry fee for the Tromsø Marathon (Ishavskraft Marathon) 2024 varies depending on the date of purchase:
until 28 February 2023 — €104 (NOK 1,200),
from 1 March to 30 June 2023 — €113 (NOK 1,300),
from 1 July to 31 December 2023 — €130 (NOK 1,500)
from 1 January 2024 — €139 (NOK 1,600).

In the event of bad weather conditions on the race day, marathon runners are transferred to the half marathon distance.

The entry fee for the Tromsø Half Marathon (PolarNight Halfmarathon) 2024 varies depending on the date of purchase:
until 28 February 2023 — €54 (NOK 625),
from 1 March to 30 June 2023 — €59 (NOK 675),
from 1 July to 30 October 2023 — €63 (NOK 725),
from 1 November to 31 December 2023 — €70 (NOK 800),
from 1 January 2024 — €78 (NOK 900).

Up untill 21 days before the race day, you have the option to transfer your registration to the following year for a transfer fee of €9 (NOK 100). In case of injury or illness, you can do so within a week after the race day by submitting a medical certificate and paying a transfer fee. More information can be found here.

Your Marathon or Half Marathon Race Entry includes:

• Bib number with a timing chip
• One-day license from the Norwegian Athletics Association (Norges Friidrettsforbund)
• Shuttlebus from Tromsø to the start (for marathoners)
• Food and beverages stations along the course and after the race
• Bag deposit service
• Finisher medal
• Thermal blanket after finish
• Changing facilities
• Online race results
• Medical aid if necessary

You can pick up your Race Pack, including your bib number, at Rødbanken (Storgata 65, Tromsø).
The pick-up desks schedule:
5 January 2024 (Friday), from 18:00 to 21:00,
6 January 2024 (Saturday), on race day, from 11:00 until 30 minutes before the start.

To collect your Race Pack, please present your photo ID and confirmation email.

No health certificate is required to participate in any race of the Tromsø Marathon (Ishavskraft Marathon) and Half Marathon (PolarNight Halfmarathon) 2024.

* Source: www.msm.no

You can check your result and view the results of your friends and companions here.

* The race information is obtained from publicly available sources and the official website of the event. To get the latest updates and ensure accuracy, we recommend visiting the official website. If you notice any mistakes, kindly email us at admin@letsportpeople.com.

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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.

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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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