Press Release - North Pole Marathon - 4/9/09

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

             Thirty-Seven Below at North Pole Marathon
 
The world's coolest marathon, the North Pole Marathon, lived up to its 
billing when competitors endured temperatures of -37C at the North Pole. 

Thirty-eight participants from 14 countries and 6 continents started the 
26.2-mile race on Wednesday April 7th at 15:30 GMT. Operated at a drifting 
Russian ice base at the Geographic North Pole, the event is quite literally 
run 'on' water: the frozen Arctic sea ice. Contestants must negotiate 
energy sapping soft snow and small ice pressure ridges to complete the 
race.

Race director, Richard Donovan of Ireland, said the event was operated 
without a hitch, taking place in brilliant sunshine and spectacular 
scenery.

Evgeniy Gorkov, a vastly experienced Russian extreme athlete, took the lead 
from the outset to win in a time of 4:27:05. A close battle for second 
position ensued before France's Renaud Michel eventually prevailed over 
Willy Roberts of New Zealand. Michel was one of four brothers who all 
finished in the top 8 places.

Six women took part in the women's competition. Pushpa Chandra of Canada 
edged out Great Britain's Daniela Spiridigliozzi in the closing stages to 
win in a time of 7:27:31. Sarah Ames of Germany finished third.

Seven of the competitors completed the Grand Slam of marathons, having run 
one on all seven continents and at the North Pole. The race also featured 
its youngest ever finisher in Stefanie Petterrson of Brazil. The sixteen 
year-old was accompanied by her father on the course. Sixty-eight year old 
Dan Hamner (USA) became the oldest finisher in the seven year history of 
the race.

For more details, see www.npmarathon.com. 

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