IceFjord Midnight Marathon

OPTIONAL DAY EXCURSIONS

Running Copenhagen (1.5 hours) – May 29, 2024 (approx. 5 miles)

A perfect way to shake out your legs with our guide and do some sightseeing in Copenhagen before heading to Greenland. Crafted especially for Icefjord midnight Marathon participants the route has been planned with the beautiful scenery of Copenhagen in mind. You will run along the canals and the harbor as well as Copenhagen’s Parliament, the Queen’s Castle, and H.C. Andersen’s Little Mermaid Statue. The tour is very informal and there will be plenty of time to ask questions about the sites, places, or people you pass. Pace will be adjusted according to the overall level of the participants, but you should expect between 3-4 miles/hr.

Meet at City Hall Square by H.C. Andersen statue at 3:30pm.

Kayak among Icebergs (3 hours) | May 30 & 31 and June 1, 2 & 3)

Ilulissat is known as the capital of icebergs, and you will see why as we paddle our way through the gigantic ice fjord just south of the city. You can smoothly slice your way through the water while keeping your eyes open for whales – 15 species regularly inhabit Greenlandic waters in the summertime! There will be morning guided kayak groups on several days. In the evenings, you can experience the serenity of the landscape as we calmly paddle our way among the ‘floating” mountains under the extraordinary midnight sun. Whether it is sunny or cloudy, the icebergs offer beautiful reflections – the sun will emphasize their sparkle, while clouds evoke the deep blue color of the ice. Your guides will provide information on the ice sheet and its glaciers, as well as the story of the original kayak that was made from sealskin and wood and will answer any other questions you may have. Thanks to our certified kayak guides, modern equipment, and safety protocols, it is possible for you to paddle through this remarkable landscape. The tours are open to all levels, whether you are a master paddler or it’s your first time in a kayak. We take pride in providing a safe and comfortable experience for everybody and want everyone to be able to experience the magic of floating among the largest collection of icebergs in Greenland. Note: the option to do this excursion on June 3 is only available for the 5-night package.

Departures: The excursion will start at 8:00 PM on May 30 & 31 and June 3. On Jun 1 & 2, the excursion will be a morning tour and start after breakfast. Please pick the day and time you prefer when booking your package, but please note that due to participant limitations and various excursion schedules, we cannot guarantee a specific day or time.

Includes:

• Certified guide
• Kayaking gear, double sea kayak, paddle, thermal suit, dry suit, life-jacket, boots and gloves
• Pictures from the tour which can be downloaded
• A bottle of water and a chocolate bar

Meet the Sled Dogs (1.5 hours) | June 1 (10:00 AM)

For every animal lover! The excursion begins at Arctic Living, at the place of Flemming, a local musher who will meet us outside next to his dogs. You will learn about training pups, the expeditions he has taken them on and “mushing” itself. These are working dogs and not pets. We will be able to observe the dogs, but they are not meant to be cuddled. Please note that only 12 people can take part in this excursion at one time so book early!

Sail to the Oqaatsut Settlement (5 hours) | June 2 & 3 (11:00 AM)

The tour starts in Ilulissat at 11AM with a 30-minute boat ride among gigantic icebergs. Arriving in Oqaatsut, you will enjoy a tour of the local school, church, and fish factory. You will learn about living in a small settlement-community and gain much history of Oqaatsut. The tour ends at Restaurant H8 Explorer where you will enjoy lunch made from local ingredients. After lunch you will have time on your own (1-2 hours) to hike or simply enjoy the local coffee and unforgettable views. On the way back you will see the 70-million-year-old volcanic Disko Island to the west and the green mainland to the east. Note: Option on June 3 is only available for the five night package. (Lunch included)

Eqi Glacier Express (6 hours) | June 2 & 3 (10:00 AM)

Only a few places in Greenland are as beautiful as the Eqi Glacier, which ends in the fjord 80 kilometers north of Ilulissat. By boat, it is possible to get very close to the glacier and experience huge pieces of ice breaking off (called ‘calving’). The sounds are enormous and the sight of icebergs crashing into the water is breathtaking. We will sail on modern boats that will get us quickly to the glacier. The route heads north along the coast, passing Bredebugt, the settlement of Oqaatsut, and the big fjord system called Pakitsoq, where whales and seals are often seen. Further along we will pass through the Ataa Strait, which is surrounded by steep mountains and boasts waterfalls and a rich bird life. Upon reaching Eqi, we will anchor at a safe distance and idle for approximately an hour in front of the glacier. While we wait for the ice to calve, we will enjoy a packed lunch that we’ve brought with us from the hotel. After we’ve thoroughly enjoyed the sight of the glacier, we’ll head back to Ilulissat. (Lunch included)

​*Please note that if the min. number is not reached for all excursions, we reserve the right to either move participants to another departure day or cancel the excursion. If the excursion is canceled, you will be refunded.

Additional details will be shared after you book your tour and excursions.

OPTIONAL PRE-RACE EXTENSION

Ice Camp | Two-Night Package | May 28 – 30, 2024

Day 1 – May 28: Arrival Day | Copenhagen – Kangerlussuaq – Ice Camp

We will meet at Copenhagen airport where a 4.5 hr flight will bring us to Kangerlussuaq in the early afternoon. Upon arrival, we will depart for Ice Camp in all-terrain vehicles. Our destination is Point 660 on the edge of the ice cap and will take about an hour. We will have an important safety briefing and, following our experienced guide, we will then venture onto the Greenland ice Sheet. The hike to our destination is about 2 miles and our priority upon arrival is setting up camp. Once our accommodations are in order we will relax with a warm beverage and enjoy the silence that the ice sheet offers. Dinner will be wholesome, simple and warm. In an environment where no food sources are available, your humble meal of freeze-dried food (easily carried on such expeditions) will feel like a gift. (Breakfast and dinner included)

Day 2 – May 29: Ice Camp – Kangerlussuaq (Polar Lodge)

Following a night spent snuggled in our warm sleeping bags and an energy-packed breakfast, we will head out on our hike. We will proceed with care over seemingly eternal fields of ice, following our guide and always being careful of any potential ice fissures. Throughout the duration of this expedition, we will maintain a safe distance from danger and plot a route across secure terrain. Crampons and trekking poles will provide each guest with extra stability. Ropes will not be used. Please note: As a participant on this trip, we expect you are willing to pull a sled with your own/group equipment from the ice edge to the camp. This effort is considered by the majority of participants to be a fairly easy and natural task to perform, but be aware it is expected. Depending on weather conditions, we will either enjoy our packed lunch whilst hiking or back at base camp. As our adventure concludes, we will break camp, pack up our goods and leave only our footprints behind. We will then drive back to Kangerlussuaq to check into the Polar Lodge, where we will stay for the evening. Dinner will be at Roklubben. (Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included)

Day 3 – May 30: Kangerlussuaq – Ilulissat

Today we will make our way from Kangerlussuaq to Ilulissat for the start of your race-package. (Breakfast included)

All itineraries subject to change.

Icefjord Midnight Marathon | Four-Night Package: May 30 – June 3, 2024
Icefjord Midnight Marathon | Five-Night Package: May 30 – June 4, 2024

Features:

• Roundtrip flight from/to Copenhagen – Kangerlussuaq
• Four (4) or five (5) nights hotel accommodations at selected property
• Domestic transportation from/to Kangerlussuaq – Ilulissat
• Meals as listed on the itinerary (including celebration dinner & farewell BBQ)
• Icefjord by Boat Tour
• Guided Ilulissat City Walk
• Guided Sermermiut Hike
• All hotel taxes
• Pre-race briefing
• Services of Albatross Adventure Marathons Staff

Not Included:

• Flights to/from Copenhagen
• Accommodations in Copenhagen
• Race Entry
• Optional excursions/extension
• Beverages
• All activities listed as optional
• Gratuities and tips
• Incidentals
• Travel Insurance

Pre-Race Extension (Ice Camp) | Two-Night Package: May 28 – 30, 2024

Features:

• Two (2) night accommodations (one night at Ice Camp/one night in Kangerlussuaq)
• Meals as listed on the itinerary
• All hotel taxes
• Guided Ice Cap hike
• Safety gear (crampons and trekking poles)
• Camping gear (including a warm sleeping bag)
• Transportation to/from Point 660 (per itinerary)
• Services of Albatros Adventure Marathons Staff

Not Included:

• All activities listed as optional
• Gratuities and tips
• Incidentals
• Travel Insurance

Rates (all prices are per person and in US dollars)

Triple Occupancy available on request – limited availability

Race Date: June 1, 2024

Race Time:
9:00 PM (21:00) – Marathon will start
10:30 PM (22:30) – Half-Marathon will start

The race will officially end at 4:00 AM.

Course: The 2024 Icefjord Midnight Marathon will challenge you with hills, trails, and roads as you traverse the course. A course map can be found here.

Entry Fee:
Marathon – $385 USD
Half Marathon – $385 USD

Eligibility:
Marathon – 18 years +
Half Marathon 16 years +

Time Limit:
Marathon – 7 hours (must finish by 4:00 AM)
Half-Marathon – 5.5 hours (must finish by 4:00 AM)

Notes:

• Runners finishing beyond 4:00 AM will receive Finished No Time (FNT) as their official finish status. An FNT race result is not accepted by the Seven Continents Club® as a qualified completion.
• Marathon runners that have not begun their second loop within four hours will be held back at the start/finish area (half-way point).

Awards: Everyone who finishes their running event within the time limit will receive a Finisher Medal and Race Shirt.

Temperature: As we are significantly above the Arctic Circle, participants should prepare for the day to be chilly, with an average temperature between 6 and 7°C (43 – 45°F). Ilulissat averages about five (5) days of rain in June, so there is a small chance that the race will see some rain. That said, June is known as a dry month in Greenland.

Difficulty: The course is difficult due to the relentless hills and the terrain.

For more information click here