Runners brave freezing temperatures to compete in Antarctica ultra-endurance race

Published November 8, 2024
Paul Johnson and Rob Sembiante cross the finish line of the Antarctic Ice Ultra marathon race in Antarctica on November 8. — Photo via Facebook
Paul Johnson and Rob Sembiante cross the finish line of the Antarctic Ice Ultra marathon race in Antarctica on November 8. — Photo via Facebook
A screengrab from a promotional video of the Artarctic Ice Marathon. — Screengrab via X (@AntacrticIceMar)
A screengrab from a promotional video of the Artarctic Ice Marathon. — Screengrab via X (@AntacrticIceMar)

Fifteen competitors braved Antarctica’s freezing cold to compete in a first-of-its-kind ultra-endurance race that began on Thursday around Ultima Base Camp, where temperatures plunged as low as -25°C.

The gruelling Antarctic Ice Ultra race is designed to test resilience and fortitude in the bone-chilling winds of the icy continent but in the interest of safety, competitors raced on a 4.2 kilometre loop around the camp.

Participants also had the option to rest and refuel at a mess tent during the race, which was designed to push runners to their limits over three distances — 100 miles, 100 km and 50 miles.

“After 23 hours, 22 minutes and 57 seconds, Paul Johnston and Roberto Sembiante, both from America, crossed the line and smashed the world record by more than an hour for the 100 miles in Antarctica,” organizers said in a statement.

China’s Yusheng Ni, who had competed in the New York City Marathon over the weekend, flew down to Antarctica and won the 100 km Ultra class, clocking 10 hours, 40 minutes and 15 seconds.

The event will be organised again in November next year.

Opinion

Editorial

Short-changed?
Updated 24 Nov, 2024

Short-changed?

As nations continue to argue, the international community must recognise that climate finance is not merely about numbers.
Overblown ‘threat’
24 Nov, 2024

Overblown ‘threat’

ON the eve of the PTI’s ‘do or die’ protest in the federal capital, there seemed to be little evidence of the...
Exclusive politics
24 Nov, 2024

Exclusive politics

THERE has been a gradual erasure of the voices of most marginalised groups from Pakistan’s mainstream political...
Counterterrorism plan
Updated 23 Nov, 2024

Counterterrorism plan

Lacunae in our counterterrorism efforts need to be plugged quickly.
Bullish stock market
23 Nov, 2024

Bullish stock market

NORMALLY, stock markets rise gradually. In recent months, however, Pakistan’s stock market has soared to one ...
Political misstep
Updated 23 Nov, 2024

Political misstep

To drag a critical ally like Saudi Arabia into unfounded conspiracies is detrimental to Pakistan’s foreign policy.