A former executive at Sikorsky Aircraft in Rochester, NY, Carl Byington is the President of PHM Design in Atlanta, Georgia area. An avid runner, Carl has also completed marathons on all seven continents, including Antarctica.
Since 2004, running adventurers have participated in the Antarctic Ice Marathon. Using the historical 26.2-mile length, the race takes place near the Ellsworth Mountains, 80 degrees south of the Equator. It is typically accomplished by completing two laps of a triangularly shaped course carved out next to the Union Glacier encampment. COVID-19 permitting, the next running is scheduled for December 14, 2021, which is summer in the Southern Hemisphere. A half marathon is also planned.
Competitors fly to Union Glacier from Punta Arenas, Chile, arriving a day or two before the races. This time could change, depending on weather conditions and aircraft availability. The flight has traditionally been on a fairly rugged and dated Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft, which only holds about 60 people and a lot of cargo and resupply items. At 700 meters (2300 feet) elevation, the running events do not require altitude acclimation, but runners need adequate cold-weather clothing to withstand temperatures that can range from 0 degrees in the calm sun to -70 degrees Fahrenheit with high winds on the glacier. Three layers should be worn above the waist and two on the legs. The layer closest to the skin is designed to wick the sweat from the skin, the middle layer insulates against cold, and the outer layer offers wind protection. Competitors should bring at least two sets of base layers in case one gets too wet, which is undesirable in these potential hypothermia conditions.
Preparing for the race is like no other marathon training. Some runners practice on beach sand to simulate the inefficiency of running in the extremely dry but crusty snow. It actually crunches under your feet, and over the miles, it is quite tiring on your joints. Others have trained on treadmills placed inside walk-in freezers to simulate temperature conditions. Whatever approach you take, be sure to learn how to properly layer your clothes for cold weather exercise and stay hydrated in the surprisingly arid Antarctic interior.
Carl Byington successfully completed the Antarctic Ice Marathon in December 2012. He is a member of the 7 Continents Marathon Club. You can read about some of his marathon blogs on his Blogspot or on his personal website.
