Tromso's Midnight Sun Marathon race is run in the middle of summer, when there is twenty-four hours of light in the area. Most runners finish around the midnight hour after a scenic journey along fjords and under mountains, with the sun still providing clear daylight.
The Start of the Marathon
After most international runners get a taste of the wonderful scenery to come when arriving on a Norwegian flight the marathon starts in the city centre, before the route takes runners across the iconic Tromso bridge and onto the mainland.
There are great views for several miles as the marathon takes runners on the E8 road south, with a combination of fjords, mountains and colourful houses helping to take runners’ minds off the endurance challenge that lies ahead.
A Marathon Amongst Fjords
The Straumsfjorden sea channel that separates the islands of Tromsoya and Senja is passed as the road leads runners along the Balsfjorden for several miles before a turnaround point. Whales and dolphins can be seen swimming here.
Many locals line the road to encourage runners with shouts of ‘hoya, hoya’ and to provide drinks, and this makes the event feel like a truly special occasion.
Running Past Tromso’s Landmark Sites
Runners then make their way through the small hamlet of Tromsdalen, which houses the architecturally exquisite Arctic Cathedral under statuesque mountains that stretch inland to line either side of the lushly forested Tromsdalen Valley.
The route then takes runners back across the bridge and through the city centre again, before heading south, west and north on the airport road.
Kvaloya and the Marathon Finish
The Sandnessundet sea channel separates the west of Tromsoya from Kvaloya, but the high peaks of the neighbouring island provide aesthetic beauty and visceral inspiration as runners enter the ‘hitting the wall’ stage of the marathon at about eighteen miles.
The turnaround point provides another boost, and then it is the ‘home straight’ back to Tromsoya, where crowds of people still cheer runners to the finish despite the late hour.
The 2009 Midnight Sun Marathon
The 2009 Midnight Sun Marathon will take place on June 20th, and race director, Nils I Haetta, says that as of about June 15, 2009, there is a record entry of about 560 runners. The runners will arrive from over fifty countries.
The Norwegian marathon championship are also being held within the race in 2009, the marathon’s twentieth anniversary.
The organisers are especially proud that fifteen runners from Germany have chosen the Midnight Sun Marathon for their ‘perfect run’; a competition sponsored by Adidas where winners can choose from any race in Europe to enter.
The Midnight Sun Marathon website will post details about this year's race, and information about how to apply for the 2010 Midnight Sun Marathon.
Marathons in the UK during 2009.
Marc Latham - Doctor of Philosophy and experienced freelance writer searching for truth and meaning, and reporting it in clear and concise copy.
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