Thanks to Laura Underwood for a great article from Sweet Relish.
Imagine running more than 100 miles through Death Valley, over treacherous mountain passes in the scorching heat, all by yourself. No, it’s not an image of the inner ring of hell; it’s the Badwater Ultramarathon. Each year there are countless extreme adventure races like this, all attracting the most daring and committed endurance athletes on the planet. We’ve outlined the five most extreme events below.
Race #5: Antarctic Ice Marathon – Union Glacier, Antarctica
While the classic 26.2-mile distance may seem easily attainable to many seasoned runners, adding Antarctica to the mix will certainly cause anyone to think twice. The Southernmost Marathon on Earth is held at Union Glacier, one of the most difficult places to fly to in the entire world. While weather and terrain vary vastly from year to year, the entirety of the race is run on frozen waters and the temperature usually peaks around -4 degrees Fahrenheit. Even with a steep entry fee of more than $14,000, this race always sells out quickly. This ultra marathon distance event is a true test of endurance.