I ran the Spitsbergen Marathon 2012 and was first in my category (50-60). It was fantastic...not an easy traject but beautiful....A very good organization and a wonderful week in Longyardbyen.

One of my most beautiful marathons but also one of the toughest...nice organisation and wonderful views.

As I arrived in Longyearbyen, just after midnight in full daylight, it was snowing. But the marathon day was sunny even if windy (temp about 0°). So I could appreciate the very particular landscape: a land that you can love with no limits, or hate deeply. I really felt in love. The race is very well organized. The majority of the course is rather desolate and very fascinating. The surface is a mix between tarmac and coal dust/shale. The course is a two-lapper. There are some climbs of 5K at 14K and 35K that sap you: a great and different challenge. A good and very friendly post-marathon party in the evening. People are very nice and friendly. I had some very interesting days in Spitsbergen, walking over glaciers and visiting Barentsburg by ship. Having 24 hours of daylight did not affect my sleep pattern. Unique island - worth a visit to run the World's Northernmost Marathon.

Wonderful surroundings, and nice weather. Good friends and a nice banquet.

Arrived in Longyearbyen just after midnight in broad daylight, and it was snowing. Only meant to run the half-marathon, but the German contingent was doing the full 26 miles, and so i coud not let England down. A well organized race with no frills. The marathon day was sunny, and a balmy +4C, and 2 of us ran in shorts (the other runner won it, however). Came about 32nd out of about 40, in just under 5 hours, but the plus side was that it was only a short walk to the hostel (and a long hot shower) in Nybyen. A good post-marathon bash in the evening, and we had recovered enough to walk the mile to Longyearbyen from Nybyen. Had an interesting week in Spitsbergen afterward, walking over glaciers and taking the boat to Barentsburg, but the only polar bear that I saw was in the museum. Having 24 hours of daylight did not affect my sleep pattern.

The world`s most northerly "proper" marathon - 24 hours of daylight near the roof of the world. Don't expect too much in the way of support, goody bag, (you have to buy a t-shirt), fab medal, or pasta party, etc., as it is low-key. Good camaraderie, as this is such a small event. Only 35 ran the marathon this year (there are also a half and 10K), so the chance of an age-group prize is high. These are given out at a fun post-race evening banquet. The course is a two-lapper and is rather desolate in places, and a vicious climb of 5K at 14K & 35K will sap you; it is part road and part dirt track - but a great and different challenge. Slower runners may get lonely; run with someone, as I did. Make a big trip out of it if you go to see the wild landscape and, if lucky, wildlife of Svalbard. Come prepared for cold/wind - superb conditions this year, but the day after it got very blowy with snow flurries!! Mark it down to do if big-city runs are not your scene or you fancy a real change. A downer was payment by bank transfer, which is a hassle.

Twenty-seven competitors took part in the full marathon, making it very friendly and personal. The race organizers knew us all by the end of the post-marathon dinner. Congratulations to Einar and Geir for a well organized race!

A very friendly village/town (1700 inhab), with the marathon run over two circuits of the half marathon course. There were hardly any spectators, and about 6 drink stations (offering water or energy drinks from plastic cups, and half-bananas). This meant you had to stop to take on fluid properly (I ran with a drinks bottle in a belt). The majority of the course was very desolate, and I ran most of the race alone. The surface was a mix between tarmac and coal dust/shale. This was my first marathon, and I ran it in 4:18, although my second lap was drastically slower than the first (1:50 to 2:28). 24-hour sunlight during the summer made it difficult to sleep, and during the flat sections of the course, you were often battered with wind. Enjoyable experiance though. Very unique island, worth a visit to run the World's Northernmost Marathon.