Step into the icy world of Antarctica, where a group of 54 runners recently faced one of the toughest marathons ever. On a brisk November 16, they landed at Wolf’s Fang Runway, a spot that rarely touches 20°F—even in spring. They gathered their courage for 26.2 miles of intense challenge.
This event was part of the Great World Race. It demanded players complete seven marathons in seven days across seven continents. Just hours after battling Antarctica’s chill, they were off to Perth, Australia, where temperatures soared to 94°F. With little time to rest, runners had to sleep on the plane, as showers were a luxury rarely afforded.
So why undertake such a challenge? Some runners aim for glory; others just want to cross the finish line. But all share a unique pride. One competitor compared the slick, icy path to “an ice skating rink,” showing just how daunting the conditions were.
The race kicked off at midnight under the glow of Antarctica’s predawn sky. Unlike crowds at marathons like Boston, here the only sounds were snow crunching beneath their feet. Jacky Hunt-Broersma, one of the runners and an amputee, felt the extreme cold in a way few could understand. “I couldn’t breathe,” she said as she struggled with her balaclava. “I thought I was going to die out there.”
Others faced their own hurdles. Dave Fortier, another competitor, felt the wind’s resistance as if he were climbing uphill, despite running on flat grounds. Desperate to finish, Hunt-Broersma opted to run a half-marathon, completing it in 4:40:21. Dan Little, the oldest runner at 82, called this year’s experience “memorably awful, miserable, and brutal.”
The Great World Race is a private venture. Runners pay $60,000 each, and their journey took them from Cape Town to Antarctica and back, then on to Perth, Abu Dhabi, and Cartagena before ending in Miami. It sounds glamorous, but the reality involved rushed runs along public paths, often amidst unaware joggers.
Christian Brown-Johnson took it a step further by attempting to run ultra-marathon distances of 31.1 miles each day for a record title. He managed to finish the Miami leg in just under four hours, even after facing Antarctica’s unyielding cold.
Throughout this hectic schedule, participants often lacked basic comforts. They could go days without showers or decent meals. Organizers left out Wi-Fi to foster community among the runners. Some had to use baby wipes instead of a proper wash. Remarkably, Fortier noted that despite such conditions, the plane didn’t smell bad.
Race director David Kelly said no amount of training could prepare runners for such extreme conditions. Little had faced personal adversity before the race, having recently helped his family recover from flooding. Even without his running gear available at first, he kept his spirits high and his pace steady.
Hunt-Broersma had her share of struggles too. The constant travel took a toll on her prosthetic leg, irritating her stump with each step. “Every day became about survival,” she reflected, focusing simply on finishing. Despite her pain, she drew inspiration from others along the way.
As the marathon progressed through various climates, fatigue set in. Fortier remarked that the emotional and physical strain was palpable, especially during the penultimate race in Cartagena. At this stage, blisters and fatigue tested every runner. “It’s always the toughest one,” Kelly mentioned. During this leg, many felt they’d had enough.
Yet camaraderie grew. Competitors often cheered for one another. Finishing the Miami leg felt bittersweet for Fortier, who had lost a beloved service dog just before the event. He recalled running through his grief.
As the race concluded, people gathered to cheer on their loved ones. Hunt-Broersma celebrated her finish, despite her earlier resolutions of never attempting this again. “I have unfinished business,” she later said, hinting that perhaps she would return.
This race is a testament to human endurance and the power of community. The Great World Race isn’t just about running; it’s about overcoming obstacles and finding support in shared struggles. As a remarkable event that challenges participants both physically and mentally, it captures the unyielding spirit of those who dare to take on its challenge.
For more on extreme sports, check out [Sports Illustrated](https://www.si.com) for the latest updates and stories from the field.
