Irish Woman finishes 3rd in Antarctic Marathon...

The annual Antarctic Marathon was held last weekend with over 50 runners from 19 countries taking part in the event. With the temperature down around minus 20 deg C, those taking part were wrapped up in balaclavas, goggles, mittens and various layers of thermal clothing. The course comprised two laps around the Union Glacier exploration camp. There were several rehydration stops on route with hot drinks, snacks as well as comfort stations.

In the womens marathon event, Irish woman Eleanor Dorran finished 3rd in a time of 5h 46m.

Pos    Name    Nationality    Time
1    Silvana    Camelio    CHL    04:40:01
2    Nahila     Hernandez    CUB/MEX    04:49:31
3    Eleanor     Dorran    IRL    05:46:31

The other two Irish participants were Paul Grealish in the full and Joan Grealish in the half.

The full results can be seen HERE



There is another video clip on the RTE Sports website HERE

Richard Donovan from Galway sets new Marathon record...

Richard Donovan from Galway has set a new record by running a Marathon in each of the 7 continents in a time of 4 Days, 22 hours and 3 minutes. Starting in Antarctica on Wednesday 1st February 2012 at 09.53 (GMT), he ran the first Marathon in 4:21:11 in a balmy -10 deg C. From there, he went to Cape Town to run 4:23:51. Then across the South Atlantic to Sao Paulo in Brazil where he ran 4:19:00. Then on up to Orlando Florida where he ran 4:44:27 for Marathon No.4.

Then it was across the Atlantic to London to run 4:32:45 in weather conditions of -3 to -6 deg C, not much warmer than Antarctica! Then a long flight to Hong Kong for Marathon No.6 in 5:03:03....and  finally....another flight to Sydney in Australia where he ran 5:21:40 for his 7th and final Marathon and a well earned rest ;o)

A total time of 4 days, 22 hours and 3 minutes. More info on http://www.worldmarathonchallenge.com/

Antarctic Marathon won in 3:47

In the recent Antarctic Marathon, thirty-six athletes from 17 countries braved the sub-zero temperatures and completed the 42.2km race at the bottom of the world. Before the race, every competitor had to have their skin fully protected. Clothing included a full balaclava, goggles, gloves and mittens, long johns, waterproof running pants and several layers of thermal clothing under a 'shell'. The race started at the Antarctic base camp of the Union Glacier, in the southern Ellsworth Mountains, just over 100km from the South Pole.

For safety reasons the course is laid out around the Union Glacier camp with markers positioned in the snow and ice. This is to prevent anyone wandering off course and freezing to death. Competitors had to complete one and a half laps of the course, but were able to rehydrate themselves with hot drinks and snacks at one of five aid (check point) stations. Despite the unfavourable terrain, every competitor managed to finish this unique race.

The men’s winner of the race was Clément Thévenet of France who finished in a new course record (3:47). The second-place finisher was a full 33 minutes behind the leader.