I've run this race three times, and everytime, it's been totally awesome. The first year we ran it, there were nine runners on course and 13 polar bears! Talk about awesome spectators!

The second year, we saw many beluga whales along the coastline as we ran along, and the third year we saw muskox on the course!

The course departs Arctic Watch, and runs along the edge of Cunningham Inlet, out towards the Northwest Passage. On the Northwest Passage, the race goes for about 15km before turning inland back to Arctic Watch over the tundra. I've run the Ultra marathon three times over the last 5 years.

Support is provided along the course by drivers on ATVs. Their main chore is polar bear protection however they also carry your gear/food.

My first Northwest Passage Ultra had 9 runners, the following one had 12 and the final one had 21. The race only takes a maximum of 21 runners.

I have run the 50K race twice in 2010 and 2012. It is truly an unforgettable running experience. Running alongside the Northwest Passage is an amazing feeling. During the race, you receive personal support from an ATV driver and you get to drink the best tasting water straight from the flowing rivers that you will cross through. My personal highlight was spending time with the hundreds of belugas, but also keep your eyes out for muskox, Arctic foxes and hares. The Arctic Watch experience is definitely one to cross off your list. Besides running the marathon or ultra marathon, you are treated to some wonderful meals and fantastic hiking and other sightseeing adventures. I want to keep going back!

The scenery was awe-inspiring! Running along the Northwest passage was unforgettable. The organizers were great -food was amazing & lodging was definitely a northern safari experience . Where else can you run a marathon (or 50K) and see hundreds of beluga whales, Thule sites, polar bears (possibly - I missed it but a fellow racer saw a mom and 2 cubs)? This is a race I would return to again and again if I could. And the views from the plane just getting there make the trip that more enticing.

At what other race can you say that you saw hundreds of whales, crossed run-off from melting tundra, saw the long, fabled NW Passage, or met not one but TWO Guiness Record holders for North Pole expeditions? This was incredible and unforgettable.