Irish Runner runs 2:53 marathon in the Antarctica

One of the most remarkable results last weekend was that of Tipperary man Sean Tobin who ran a marathon in the Antarctic in a time of 2 hours 53 minutes and 33 seconds, a new record for that continent. Amazingly, it was also Sean's debut marathon!

The marathon was held on a glacier about 900kms from the South Pole with the temperature down at a chilly -14 deg C. 

Report from Clonmel AC... "Sean Tobin’s brilliant Marathon debut

For the majority of athletes, we all strive to compete in the Dublin City Marathon as our first outing over this Classic distance and as they say, you will always enjoy your first marathon experience. Well spare a thought for Sean Tobin who decided to select the Antarctic Ice Marathon, the southernmost marathon in the world as his debut over this distance in sub-zero temperatures, an experience he will always treasure. 

Sean prepared well for this event over the past couple of months. Right from the gun he set a good pace. Despite the demanding conditions, he was still running well within himself when reaching the three-quarter point check in zone in 2 hours 8 mins. At this stage he was well on his way to setting a new course record and smashing the old record of 3 hours 34 mins 12 secs, set in 2019. Sean maintained that strong pace all the way to cross the finishing line in an amazing time of 2 hours 53 mins 33 secs, phenomenal performance in such trying conditions. 

The race director, Richard O Donovan, himself a veteran of such events described Sean’s performance “as an astounding performance in very tough underfoot conditions. Sean took control of the race from the outset and made a mockery of the conditions by establishing a new Antarctic Marathon record of 2:53:33 hrs”

This brilliant performance will see Sean ending 2022 on a high as he puts a year plaque by injury behind him. He can look forward with great confidence to 2023 as he plots the next chapter of his career."

Irish runner Sean Tobin has set a marathon record with a difference, becoming the fastest man to cover the 42km distance in Antarctica as he won 'the southernmost marathon on Earth' | @RTEsport |
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— RTÉ News (@rtenews) December 16, 2022

Link : RTE News