The northernmost European winter races: marathon, half marathon, 10km and 5km — in Tromsø during the polar night period with a chance to catch 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.
marathon 2021 — 46
half marathon 2021 — 253
€129—148 (NOK 1.300—1.500) marathon,
€57—84 (NOK 575—850) half marathon
The Tromsø Marathon and Half Marathon is an annual long-distance running event held in Tromsø, Norway. The official name of the marathon is Ishavskraft Marathon and of the half marathon is Polar Night Halfmarathon. About 2.000 athletes take part in marathon race and other competitions (46 runners completed marathon and 253 finished half marathon in 2021).
The first Tromsø Marathon (Ishavskraft Marathon) was held in 2021.
In 2022 the Tromsø winter races were cancelled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.
The PolarNight races are held in the beginning of the year when the sun does not rise above the horizon in Tromsø which is located 400km north of the Arctic Circle. Participants have a chance of running under polar lights (aurora borealis).
In summer you may run the Tromsø Midnight Sun Marathon and Half Marathon during the polar day.
More about Tromsø and its attractions you may find here, about Northern Norway here.
Tromsø Half Marathon (Polar Night Halfmarathon) 2020
Polar night in Tromsø, Norway
Marathon race, 26.2mi/42.195km (Ishavskraft Marathon)
The marathon race of 26.2mi/42.195km starts at 13:00 7 January 2023 (Saturday) from the road 862 (fylkesvei 862) near northeastern part of Kattfjorden, called Nordfjorden, on Kvaløya island.
Age limit: at least 18 years old on 31 December 2023.
Half Marathon race, 13.1mi/21.097km (Polar Night Halfmarathon)
The half marathon race of 13.1mi/21.097km starts at 15:00 7 January 2023 (Saturday) from Storgata Street near Tromsø Town Hall (Tromsø Rådhus).
Age limit: at least 15 years old on 31 December 2023.
6.2mi/10km Race (Mørketidsmila)
The 6.2mi/10km race starts at 15:15 7 January 2023 (Saturday) from Storgata Street near Tromsø Town Hall (Tromsø Rådhus).
Age limit: at least 12 years old on 31 December 2023.
Entry fee: €47—74 (NOK 475—750).
Course of the 6.2mi/10km race, Tromsø Half Marathon (Polar Night Halfmarathon) 2023
A point-to-point course of the Tromsø Marathon (Ishavskraft Marathon) 2023 follows the road 862 (fylkesvei 862) on Kvaløya island and takes runners to the secluded outer coastline where it is truly dark. The route crosses the Sandnes Strait to the island of Tromsøya over Sandnessund Bridge (Sandnessundbrua), a cantilever road bridge 1.22km long.
Marathoners must have a reflective vest and a headlamp.
Kilometer markers are positioned at each 5km of the course of the Tromsø Marathon (Ishavskraft Marathon) and Tromsø Half Marathon (Polar Night Halfmarathon) 2023. For the last 5km of the route, kilometer markers spot each km, counting down.
Course of the Tromsø Marathon (Ishavskraft Marathon) 2023 with elevation profile
An out-and-back course of the Tromsø Half Marathon (Polar Night Halfmarathon) 2023 coincides with part of the marathon route. It tracks through Tromsø streets on the island of Tromsøya, goes out to the airport area and follows the same route back to the city center. The course is marked with burning candles if the weather allows it.
The course might be slippery and covered with ice. Spikes on your shoes are recommended.
Course of the Tromsø Half Marathon (Polar Night Halfmarathon) 2023
Course map animation, Tromsø Half Marathon (Polar Night Halfmarathon) 2017
Course video, Tromsø Half Marathon (Polar Night Halfmarathon) 2015
The start of the Tromsø Marathon (Ishavskraft Marathon) 2023 is on the road 862 (fylkesvei 862) near northeastern part of Kattfjorden, called Nordfjorden, on Kvaløya island (Sjøtunvegen 242, 9100 Kvaløysletta).
The finish for all races and the start of the Tromsø Half Marathon (Polar Night Halfmarathon) 2023 is on Storgata, the main street of the city, close to Tromsø Town Hall (Tromsø Rådhus).
You may find the official course maps of the Tromsø Marathon (Ishavskraft Marathon) and Half Marathon (Polar Night Halfmarathon) 2023 here.
The time limit for completing the marathon is 5 hours and 3 hours for the half marathon. Additional limits are applied for certain points of the course.
Water and nutrition stations are located every 3.1mi/5km of the half marathon route (every 6.2mi/10km of the marathon route) and at the finish. The stations provide runners with water, isotonic Maxim Sportdrink, and hot juice at the finish. Toilets are only available at the start and finish area.
Before the start you may leave your personal belongings 7 January 2023 (Saturday) from 14:00 till 18:30 near the start and finish zone in the baggage deposit area of Tromsø Town Hall (Tromsø Rådhus, Rådhusgata 2, Tromsø). Your bag is to be marked with the sticker that has your race number on it. The sticker is included in your Race Pack along with your bib number.
You may change and have a shower 7 January 2023 (Saturday) close to the finish area in the sport complex Gyllenborghallen (Skolegata 36, 9008 Tromsø).
The route of the Tromsø Half Marathon (Polar Night Halfmarathon) 2023 is certified by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS).
You may sign up for races of the Tromsø Marathon (Ishavskraft Marathon) and Half Marathon (Polar Night Halfmarathon) 2023 online.
If slots are available you may sign up for races 7 January 2023 (Saturday, on race day) in Tromsø Town Hall (Tromsø Rådhus, Rådhusgata 2, Tromsø).
You may sign up for the Tromsø Marathon (Ishavskraft Marathon) 2023 only if you completed a marathon sub 4:00:00 hours in 2021 or 2022.
The entry fee for the Tromsø Marathon (Ishavskraft Marathon) 2023 varies depending on the date of purchase:
until 28 February 2022 — €129 (NOK 1.300),
from 1 March till 30 June 2022 — €138 (NOK 1.400),
from 1 July 2022 — €148 (NOK 1.500).
In case 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 (Polar Night Halfmarathon) 2023 varies depending on the date of purchase:
until 28 February 2022 — €57 (NOK 575),
from 1 March till 30 June 2022 — €62 (NOK 625),
from 1 July till 31 October 2022 — €67 (NOK 675),
from 1 November till 31 December 2022 — €74 (NOK 750),
from 1 January 2023 — €84 (NOK 850).
You may transfer your registration to the next year in case of injury or illness. Then you need to send a medical certificate within a week after the race day and to pay a transfer fee of €10 (NOK 100). More info is here.
Your Marathon or Half Marathon Race Entry includes:
- Bib number with time measuring chip
- One day license of the Norwegian Athletics Association (Norges Friidrettsforbund)
- Food and beverages stations along the course and after the race
- Bag deposit
- Finisher medal
- Thermal blanket after finish
- Changing facilities
- Shower after finish
- Online race results
- Medical aid if necessary
You may pick up the Race Pack with your bib number in Tromsø Town Hall (Tromsø Rådhus, Rådhusgata 2, Tromsø).
Pick-up desks schedule:
7 January 2023 (Saturday) on race day from 09:00 till 14:45.
To get your Race Pack you should show your photo ID, confirmation email.
No health certificate is required to enter any race of the Tromsø Marathon (Ishavskraft Marathon) and Half Marathon (Polar Night Halfmarathon) 2023.
Men (marathon)
1. Magnus Warvik (NOR) 2:48:06 CR
2. Erling Eggesvik (NOR) 2:54:44
3. Terje Sandness (NOR) 3:03:52
Women (marathon)
1. Una Bratlie (NOR) 3:28:12 CR
2. Deimante Razukiene (LTU) 3:36:36
3. Aniek Lith (NED) 3:38:04
* Source: www.msm.no
Find your result and the results of your friends and companions here.
Organizer’s address:
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.
Date: 8 January 2022 (race cancelled)
Temperature: -7°C — -3°C (19°F — 27°F)
Wind: 13 km/h (8 mph)
Date: 9 January 2021
Temperature: -10°C – -5°C (14°F – 22°F)
Wind: 25 km/h (16 mph)
Date: 4 January 2020
Temperature: -5°C – -1°C (23°F – 30°F)
Wind: 21 km/h (13 mph)
From your nearest airport (based on your IP):
Prices are for round trip flights 5 January 2023 — 8 January 2023. 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.
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.
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 Tromsø:
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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