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Santa's Arctic Circle Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Santa's Arctic Circle Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.1 
Organization 4.0 
Spectators 2.3
Number of comments: 17 [displaying comments 11 to 17]
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A. M. from Moscow, Russia
(7/10/2006)
 "Well organized event" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Santa's Arctic Circle Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 It was my first marathon. I am happy I've run it in 3:34. I have nothing to compare to, but it seems to me that everything was O.K. The only annoying thing was the too-crowded bus from my hotel to the start. The rest (refreshments, course, spectators, weather etc.) was super. Special fun was the absence of any dark at night in Rovaniemi in summer. I recommend the Santa Marathon to anyone. | |
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Gordon Wainwright from Worcester, England
(7/10/2006)
"Well organized, but beware of the mozzies!!!" (about: 2006)
1 previous marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 This was the first of four marathons - a colleague and I will undertake in the next year in aid of charity. We are not athletic types and are trying to lose weight too. We walked the marathon so the 5 p.m. start was a really good idea... why don't other marathons try this!?! Having walked London in 1999 and was unsure of where to go in the latter stages (because they rub the blue line out after the 5-hour finishers). I was concerned about getting lost. We were the tail-end charlies but were never in doubt about which way to go.... The organization was excellent. Refreshment stations were good and the staff manning them friendly. I have to admit I thought the course had a few more hills than I had expected and the stretch where you turn around seems an awful long uphill stretch for tired legs. Towards the end there were lots of insects and I have many bites to prove it - even though we wore repellant. There were few spectators but it was nice to hear our names come through the loudspeaker at the finish. We particularly found local runners to be friendly and encouraging. Thank you to Olga and team for a unique marathon experience. One gripe: we never found the wine promised at the finish!! | |
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M. T. from London, UK
(7/10/2006)
 "loved the experience but could be better..." (about: 2006)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Santa's Arctic Circle Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 1 Will I be back in 2007? Probably... The organization was not on a par with a big-city marathon, but then with a field of a few hundred, the runners just have to accept that it is never going to be. I thought the organizers did a good job, though the prize giving was probably a mistake - it was too long, too late and too cold. The course was fine though slightly too hilly (and who had the bright idea of putting a 100 meter-long climb at the end? Remove that next year please!) The lack of any local support around the course was odd. Is the event publicized locally?? No one seemed to know (or care) that there was a marathon taking place... and that was a big shame. Can we warm the locals up a bit next year? Otherwise it was a good shop window for Lapland. The course was pretty and the run was quite memorable. Not too many insect bites either... | |
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A. R. from Mexico
(7/2/2006)
 "Just be careful with the other comments." (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Santa's Arctic Circle Marathon
COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 I was looking for a marathon in July and did some research and found this one. I was attracted by the idea of running in the Arctic Circle and I was really encouraged for the only three comments they had. Big mistake - it seems like I definitely went to another marathon. The route had over 50 small hills - very short ones but still; that killed me since I was treating this marathon to prove myself I left behind a severe 6-months-to-recover injury in a ligament in my right leg. People at the water stations were totally indiferent to the race, not handing out the cups at all. Do you want water or sport drinks? Take it from the table - not a single word of encouragement either. The route was rather poorly marked, and somehow I managed to get lost and run an extra 4 K due to my own mistake. I was not competing for money nor for a place, but even so, the whole race did not feel right at all. It had a bad ending: the road was opened to vehicles and just a few meters before the finishing line, my path was cut across by a taxi, whose driver for sure did not mean to do it, but he did anyway. Most of the people I saw during the race ignored me or looked at me funny. There is a lot of room for improvement in marking the route, recruiting enthusiastic volunteers, and improving the quality of medals and traffic control. This was by far my worst experience in international marathons. | |
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J. F. from Dublin, Ireland
(7/10/2005)
 "If you only ever run one marathon, do this one!!" (about: 2005)
4-5 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Everything K.S. said for 2004 goes for the 2005 race too. From the moment I got off the aircraft and Rauna helped me collect my bags until Olga checked me back in on the return journey I was treated better than any elite runner at a major capital city marathon. We were bussed from the hotel door to the race start. Whatever questions we had were answered immediately. Every competitor was special. This marathon really does have it all. The adventure of an arctic circle-start (with Santa himself), out-of-this-world-beautiful course with forest, fells, lakes and rivers. Not to mention the midnight sun! The water stops every 3 KM were very well stocked with water, juice, sports drinks, fruit, pickles (sounds weird but really did the trick when my salt levels went down). I even heard afterwards that one of the stations served a local berry wine. I'll have to look out for it next year. The organization was faultless. The marshalls were excellent. Rauna even hopped in his car and was a one-man mobile support team. No chance of slacking with his encouragement. The staggered start meant everyone finished around midnight in the town center. Loads of runners and locals hanging around which was great fun. After the race there was a free pass into the local sports institute for a shower, sauna or swim. The organizers really have thought of everything to make this special. The wild and free company who promote the race also offer some activity half-day trips, such as hiking, whitewater rafting, visitng a local shaman village, or quad-biking. If you have a chance, do them all. You'll get to see so much more of lapland than 26.2 miles allows. I'm not usually a 'package-deal' person but theirs was such good value I have to recommend it wholeheartedly. This is also a great family marathon. There are half marathon, roller-blading, and walking races as well, so there is something for everyone. Spot prizes mean everyone is has a chance of winning something. I really can't completely explain the atmosphere of this race. Not only is it my favorite race ever, it is up there on the best holidays I've ever taken. It is without a doubt the standard by which all future events worldwide will be judged. I can't imagine anything else ever making the grade. | |
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Walter van Waterschoot from Antwerp, Belgium
(7/7/2005)
 "Unique location and equal treatment categories" (about: 2005)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Santa's Arctic Circle Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 Because of its location Santa?s Arctic Circle Marathon represents a unique opportunity for those runners collecting exotic marathons across Europe or across the globe. Starting in front of Santa Claus?s Office adds a nostalgic element. For a summer marathon the temperature is typically quite reasonable (this year 23° Celsius at the early evening start). The organization on the reasonably flat course is very adequate. A remarkable and exceptional feature is the systematic equal treatment of different age categories. Not only are separate rankings used per age group, but each category receives an identical set of victory cups awarded during a ceremony under the midnight sun. If you add the many tourist opportunities (local, Finnish and Scandinavian), the availability of a range of middle-class and budget hotels in Rovaniemi, it is only surprising that not more groups are yet participating in this young event. It looks as if this marathon will unavoidably become much more popular in the next few years. | |
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K. S. from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
(5/23/2005)
"A truly magical and wonderful experience!" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Santa's Arctic Circle Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 From Race Director Olga, who answered my many questions in the weeks leading up to the event, to my actual arrival in Rovaniemi, I was treated to an energetic and positive attitude towards my participation in SACM. The old adage "anticipation is greater than the realization" was certainly not the case here. After having spent almost 24 hours traveling from Canada to Europe, and another sleepless night in the Munich airport, I finally arrived in Rovaniemi and my first impression was, "WOW!" The sun was shining and it was beautiful! From the moment I stepped off the plane I encountered nothing but smiling and welcoming faces. Rauno, Olga?s husband, greeted me like a long lost friend. The race started at the Artic Circle with Santa himself firing the starting pistol. What a thrill! The first thing we did was run through Santa?s Park. Being a true kid at heart, I was immediately transported to another world as I ran through the old bunker. I felt like I was truly in Santa?s workshop, I could hear the elves busily preparing for Christmas, I could imagine Santa running around making sure all would be ready for the night of December 24th! It was magical! Once out of the bunker, the marathon proceeded along the myriad of bicycle paths, passing though residential areas, the city, the lakes, the beautiful farms. It was by far the most beautiful marathon route I have done to date. The people along the route were very friendly, offering lots of support! The aid stations were well stocked and all volunteers offered nothing but positive encouragement to all runners. As the finish line appeared, the crowds of people sitting out on the patio of the bars and restaurants downtown began to shout and clap. The midnight sun was still shining, the temperature was just right and friendly people were everywhere ? definitely a finish line I won?t forget! It truly was an adventure of a lifetime and one I would most definitely recommend to all!!! I got to see Santa (and since it was at the Artic Circle, I am positive it was the REAL guy), was transported to another world running through the Santa Park bunker, met wonderfully friendly people, and to top off the whole trip (which actually lasted a mere 15 hours in total), as Rauno and I drove out to the airport Sunday morning, not one but three beautiful reindeer walked out of the woods to bid me farewell! Once again the child in me escaped as I snapped pictures of these mystical animals! I highly recommend this marathon to all who want to experience a well-organized, friendly and beautiful marathon! |
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