Longyearbyen, Norway
June 1, 2024
http://spitsbergenmarathon.no
Apr 16, 2024
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Marathon Details - Spitsbergen Marathon
International Marathons > Norway > Longyearbyen > Spitsbergen MarathonSpitsbergen Marathon
| More Info: | News |
| Results: | Top 3 Finishers by Year |
Contact
| Name: | Svalbard Turn | |
| Address: | Spitsbergen Marathon
P.O. Box 485 N-9171 Longyearbyen Norway. |
|
| Phone Number: | 47 79 02 13 33 | |
| Fax Number: | 47 79 02 35 30 | |
| Email: | Email the organizers | |
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Reviews
Course 4.0 
Organization 4.6 
Spectators 2.8
Number of comments: 8
|
I. K. from Maryland, USA
(10/19/2015)
 "Challenging but very exciting" (about: 2015)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Spitsbergen Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 I became interested in this race researching unique marathons. I thought it would be very cool to run a marathon in the Arctic Circle during 24 hour sun. I reviewed the youtube vids and thought that it didnt appear to be too extreme compared to some marathons and that the course would provide a challenge. Below is the breakdown of the trip and what to expect for the marathon. Dont let the 3 star rating scare you away, this is a cool race. Getting to Svalbard is not terribly difficult, I believe the race website provides packages that include all the travel arrangements (flights, hotels) but my fiancé (she did the half marathon) and I did that ourselves. Norwegian air and SAS airlines have daily flights into Longyearbyen that are not too expensive given the destination. We flew in from the States into Oslo, spent a couple days there then left from Oslo to Svalbard public transportation in Oslo makes getting from the airport into the city and back very easy. The flight up from Oslo takes about 3 hours and the landing is pretty cool seeing all the scenery. There is a bus that departs from the airport and stops at all the hotels in Longyearbyen; this costs ~75 Kroners per person and they accept credit cards. We stayed at the Coal Miners Cabin which is in Nybyen about a mile away of the starting point of the race. The closest hotel to the finish of the race (which is also the starting point) is the Spitsbergen hotel. If you do not want to do much walking before or after the race stay there the trek back to the Coal Miners Cabin was not the easiest after the marathon it is all uphill back to Coal Miners Cabin. Walking to the center of Longyearbyen from Nybyen is about a twenty minute walk. It is all downhill from the hotel and there is practically no traffic maybe a passing car once every ten minutes so walking was not a problem. We ate dinner at Kroa in downtown Longyearbyen and the dinner was very good. We called ahead and reserved a table I got a nice steak and my fiancé got a pineapple pepperoni pizza both were very good. The Coal Miners cabin provides free wifi in their main building where there is a bar and a restaurant, a nice perk of staying there. You will also be provided a free breakfast each day that includes a variety of options. The expo was located at the Svalbardhallen the day before the race and is the location where the race starts and finishes. That part was really easy as there were so few people in the race. Race day is set up nicely so that most of the competitors finish around the same time. There is a marathon which starts at 10am, a half marathon which starts at 1130am and a 10k that starts around 1230 all going to the same finish line. There were about 50-65 people in the marathon. The race itself is a two loop track through Longyearbyen. You begin initially going uphill for about a kilometer then head down to water level and shimmy through Longyearbyen until hitting the road out of town. You stay on that road for about 2.5 miles then turn around and run back to Longyearbyen. This section of the race is on a large gravel-shale type surface that can be a little tricky. You then run through Longyearbyen again and up a decent hill back down to water level and run towards the airport. From there you then loop up another decent hill and go onto a dirt road which is all mostly uphill before getting back to the starting point for loop two. The last 5k or 3.5 miles of the race when doing the full marathon are pretty tough as it is mostly uphill and the race does end on an uphill climb. There are very few spectators for the race as there are not that many people in the city but those that do come out cheer you along. There are also a few water-drink stations throughout the race so no need to worry about dying of thirst. There is a lot of pretty scenery around to look at but there will also be times that you will be running completely alone as I did for several miles. The weather change is also a bit tough to deal with as it is June and it was close to 90 Fahrenheit during the end of my training and then 37 Fahrenheit during the race. We also got out a few days before the race to try to beat the jetlag but it was also tough to do as we felt pretty tired being 6 hours behind. Post-race you get a little medal do not expect to receive any amazing medal it is a small nice medal that states either half or full marathon, both the same size. There is also a post-race benefit dinner where the top three finishers of age groups are awarded special trophies (I finished 4th in my age group so I missed out) but given such a small race there were a lot of winners which was a nice thing. You also sit with the other runners who are from all over the world so that is cool to chat with them. The dinner itself is also very good especially post marathon. They also have individuals who will sell you pictures from the race that you can digitally buy and have the files emailed to you. Getting back to the airport will again cost you 75 kroners each and there are designated leaving times from each hotel so be sure to figure out when that is, your hotel person should know. I would recommend going for sure! A great, challenging race and an amazing experience that you wont get anywhere else in the world. Getting to Svalbard is not terribly difficult, I believe the race website provides packages that include all the travel arrangements (flights, hotels) but my fiancé (she did the half marathon) and I did that ourselves. Norwegian air and SAS airlines have daily flights into Longyearbyen that are not too expensive given the destination. We flew in from the States into Oslo, spent a couple days there then left from Oslo to Svalbard public transportation in Oslo makes getting from the airport into the city and back very easy. The flight up from Oslo takes about 3 hours and the landing is pretty cool seeing all the scenery. There is a bus that departs from the airport and stops at all the hotels in Longyearbyen; this costs ~75 Kroners per person and they accept credit cards. We stayed at the Coal Miners Cabin which is in Nybyen about a mile away of the starting point of the race. The closest hotel to the finish of the race (which is also the starting point) is the Spitsbergen hotel. If you do not want to do much walking before or after the race stay there the trek back to the Coal Miners Cabin was not the easiest after the marathon it is all uphill back to Coal Miners Cabin. Walking to the center of Longyearbyen from Nybyen is about a twenty minute walk. It is all downhill from the hotel and there is practically no traffic maybe a passing car once every ten minutes so walking was not a problem. We ate dinner at Kroa in downtown Longyearbyen and the dinner was very good. We called ahead and reserved a table I got a nice steak and my fiancé got a pineapple pepperoni pizza both were very good. The Coal Miners cabin provides free wifi in their main building where there is a bar and a restaurant, a nice perk of staying there. You will also be provided a free breakfast each day that includes a variety of options. The expo was located at the Svalbardhallen the day before the race and is the location where the race starts and finishes. That part was really easy as there were so few people in the race. Race day is set up nicely so that most of the competitors finish around the same time. There is a marathon which starts at 10am, a half marathon which starts at 1130am and a 10k that starts around 1230 all going to the same finish line. There were about 50-65 people in the marathon. The race itself is a two loop track through Longyearbyen. You begin initially going uphill for about a kilometer then head down to water level and shimmy through Longyearbyen until hitting the road out of town. You stay on that road for about 2.5 miles then turn around and run back to Longyearbyen. This section of the race is on a large gravel-shale type surface that can be a little tricky. You then run through Longyearbyen again and up a decent hill back down to water level and run towards the airport. From there you then loop up another decent hill and go onto a dirt road which is all mostly uphill before getting back to the starting point for loop two. The last 5k or 3.5 miles of the race when doing the full marathon are pretty tough as it is mostly uphill and the race does end on an uphill climb. There are very few spectators for the race as there are not that many people in the city but those that do come out cheer you along. There are also a few water-drink stations throughout the race so no need to worry about dying of thirst. There is a lot of pretty scenery around to look at but there will also be times that you will be running completely alone as I did for several miles. I was ok with this but it could be a downer for some people. The weather change is also a bit tough to deal with as it is June and it was close to 90 Fahrenheit during the end of my training and then 37 Fahrenheit during the race. We also got out a few days before the race to try to beat the jetlag but it was also tough to do as we felt pretty tired being 6 hours behind. Post-race you get a little medal do not expect to receive any amazing medal it is a small nice medal that states either half or full marathon, both the same size. There is also a post-race benefit dinner where the top three finishers of age groups are awarded special trophies (I finished 4th in my age group so I missed out) but given such a small race there were a lot of winners which was a nice thing. You also sit with the other runners who are from all over the world so that is cool to chat with them. The dinner itself is also very good especially post marathon. They also have individuals who will sell you pictures from the race that you can digitally buy and have the files emailed to you. Getting back to the airport will again cost you 75 kroners each and there are designated leaving times from each hotel so be sure to figure out when that is, your hotel person should know. I would recommend going for sure! A great, challenging race and an amazing experience that you wont get anywhere else in the world. | |
|
theo schoofs from Bree, Belgium
(11/13/2012)
 "glory days" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Spitsbergen Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 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. | |
|
theo schoofs from bree, belgium
(6/20/2012)
"wonderful" (about: 2012)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Spitsbergen Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 One of my most beautiful marathons but also one of the toughest...nice organisation and wonderful views. | |
|
N. S. from italy
(1/28/2011)
"Simply magic!" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Spitsbergen Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 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. | |
|
Knut Deram from Oslo, Norway
(11/17/2010)
 "What an experience" (about: 2010)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Spitsbergen Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Wonderful surroundings, and nice weather. Good friends and a nice banquet. | |
|
Timothy Samuelson from Maidstone, Kent, England
(1/16/2010)
 "En gode uke pa Svalbard" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Spitsbergen Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 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. | |
|
Andy Walker from Guernsey
(6/23/2006)
"Near the roof of the world" (about: 2006)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Spitsbergen Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 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. | |
|
R. H. from Manchester, England
(6/27/2003)
"Cold, isolated, and desolate... yet unique" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 1 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. |
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