Name: Icefjord Midnight Marathon 2023
Start: 2023-06-03T00:00:00+0100
End: 2023-06-03T00:00:00+0100
Location: Greenland

Run the Midnight Marathon

The Icefjord Midnight Marathon takes place in Ilulissat, Greenland., where the UNESCO-accredited Ilulissat Icefjord provides a spectacular backdrop to this unique race. A race like no other we offer run in the shine of the night! This trail race leads participants over a variety of surfaces including; pavement and gravel roads in and around the town, a short stretch on a wooden path, and rocky trails with a stunning backdrop of Icefjord's shimmering icebergs.

For international participants, race entry is only possible in conjunction with a multi-day tour package. The packages include all the ingredients for a fantastic getaway: accommodation, social events, sightseeing, and select meals and transportation per the itinerary. Packages also generally include ample amounts of free time, during which you can choose to join organized excursions or explore the region at your own pace.

Price From £2219 shared basis. Single rooms available

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Logistics covered

We take care of all of the logistics for you, so you can focus on the event and your trip. Choose from our 5-day or 6-day packages and in addition, book one of our optional excursions or extension tour.

Choice of two distances

Elect to join one of two distances; the Full marathon - 42.195km/26.2mi or the Half marathon - 21.1km/13.1mi

Icefjord Midnight Marathon 2023

Your Experience	Price from	Date	Time		Availability
Icefjord Midnight Marathon 2023	From £2390.00	03/06/23

2023 Icefjord Midnight Marathon Itinerary

1 June 2023: Copenhagen - Kangerlussuaq - Ilulissat: Town Walk

Fly from Copenhagen to Greenland in the morning. We encourage you to book a night prior to the tour starting in order to make the included flight comfortably. Upon arrival into Greenland enjoy an included tour of Ilulissat, followed by a Greenlandic buffet in the evening.

2 June 2023: Icefjord Boating, Sermermiut Hike, and Race Briefing

This morning, enjoy a light hike through one of the region's most acclaimed areas. Hike to the Sermermiut Valley, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its exceptionally beautiful nature and unique importance to glaciological science. Later in the day, embark on a boat trip through icebergs. In the evening, all participants will meet to enjoy a pasta dinner and get the race briefing. Tonight, you will also have the possibility to join an evening kayak excursion.

3 June 2023: Race Night

You have the morning and afternoon to sleep, explore, and prepare yourself for the night to come. For those who would like to get a taste of the local culture, a limited number of guests can join a "Kaffemik" excursion at the home of a local Greenlandic couple. The marathon begins at 21:00, and the half-marathon will begin at 22:30 - all races will be done by 4:00 at the latest.

4 June 2023: Ilulissat Day - Optional Excursions & Celebration Dinner

Today is a justified relaxation and recovery day. You may also use the day to explore on your own, or join one of the optional excursions on offer. In the evening, all participants will gather for the celebration dinner.

5 June 2023: Ilulissat Day - Optional Excursions and 5-day tour departures

Those on the 6-day package will have one final day to enjoy the charm of Ilulissat and its surroundings. Again, you may choose to explore on your own, or if you haven't been kayaking yet, we highly recommend it! Those on the 5-day package will depart the tour today on a flight back to Copenhagen via Kangerlussuaq, which will arrive at approximately 21.30. We recommend booking extra nights in Copenhagen on this night.

6 June 2023: Ilulissat Day - Farewell Greenland

Sadly, it is time to say farewell to Ilulissat. Fly first to Kangerlussuaq in the morning. Once in Kangerlussuaq, you will board a flight back to Copenhagen that will arrive around 9:30pm. Guests are responsible for their own flights home from Copenhagen. Keep in mind that you will need time to collect your bags and check in for your new flights, and thus we don't recommend booking flights within three hours of arrival. Given the late time of our arrival, we strongly recommend booking a night in a hotel in Copenhagen and flying out the next day.

Extras and Excursions

Hike & Sail to Oqaatsut Settlement- 4, 5 Jun | 7 hours | £270

Travel 30-minutes by boat from Ilulissat to Oqaatsut for a guided tour of the settlement. While you sail you will pass giant icebergs from the Ilulissat Icefjord. End your settlement tour with lunch at Restaurant H8 Explorer. You have some free time to explore the area before returning to Ilulissat. You’ll see some great scenery on route. The 70-million-year-old volcanic Disko Island to the west and the green mainland to the east. The tour will last approximately 5 hours in total and will depart at 11am.

Kayak among Icebergs - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Jun | 3 hours | £143

Ilulissat is known as the capital of icebergs, and you will see why as you paddle your 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!

Kaffemik & Sled Dogs - 3 Jun | 2 hours | £35

Begin at the home of Thrine, a local musher, who will share stories and allow you to observe the dogs, but please remember that these are working animals and not pets - they are not meant for cuddling. After the explanation of the dogs, head into Thrine's house for kaffemik. The literal translation of ‘Kaffemik’ is ‘via coffee,’ and it has been the traditional way to celebrate everything from births to birthdays to first days of school – in other words, a celebration of life.

Eqi Glacier Express - 4 Jun | 6 hours | £270

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. Packed lunch included.

Ice camp - 30-31 Jun | 2 nights | From £489

Join this additional 2-night tour to for a truly unique overnight Ice camp experience. Meet at Copenhagen airport for the included flight to Kangerlussuaq. Upon arrival, depart in all-terrain vehicles to the Ice Camp which is around an hour’s drive toward Point 660 on the edge of the ice cap. Here, you will have an important briefing on safety and the coming activities. After setting up camp, enjoy a warm beverage and the total silence that the ice sheet imposes. Dinner will be wholesome, simple, and warm, consisting of freeze-dried food that is easy to carry on such an expedition. The next day you will head out for a hike where crampons and trekking poles will be provided. This evening you will overnight at the polar lodge where all meals are included.

Route Information

Course map:

The worlds best sporting events

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Official tickets*

Run the Midnight Marathon

Icefjord Midnight Marathon 2023

1 June 2023: Copenhagen - Kangerlussuaq - Ilulissat: Town Walk

2 June 2023: Icefjord Boating, Sermermiut Hike, and Race Briefing

3 June 2023: Race Night

4 June 2023: Ilulissat Day - Optional Excursions & Celebration Dinner

5 June 2023: Ilulissat Day - Optional Excursions and 5-day tour departures

6 June 2023: Ilulissat Day - Farewell Greenland

Hike & Sail to Oqaatsut Settlement- 4, 5 Jun | 7 hours | £270

Kayak among Icebergs - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Jun | 3 hours | £143

Kaffemik & Sled Dogs - 3 Jun | 2 hours | £35

Eqi Glacier Express - 4 Jun | 6 hours | £270

Ice camp - 30-31 Jun | 2 nights | From £489

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The worlds best sporting events

Travel and accommodation

Official tickets*

3rd June 2023

Run the Midnight Marathon

Icefjord Midnight Marathon 2023

1 June 2023: Copenhagen - Kangerlussuaq - Ilulissat: Town Walk

2 June 2023: Icefjord Boating, Sermermiut Hike, and Race Briefing

3 June 2023: Race Night

4 June 2023: Ilulissat Day - Optional Excursions & Celebration Dinner

5 June 2023: Ilulissat Day - Optional Excursions and 5-day tour departures

6 June 2023: Ilulissat Day - Farewell Greenland

Hike & Sail to Oqaatsut Settlement- 4, 5 Jun | 7 hours | £270

Kayak among Icebergs - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Jun | 3 hours | £143

Kaffemik & Sled Dogs - 3 Jun | 2 hours | £35

Eqi Glacier Express - 4 Jun | 6 hours | £270

Ice camp - 30-31 Jun | 2 nights | From £489

Customer Services

Contact us

Our experience

Your booking is safe with us