The 2017 FWD North Pole Marathon concluded on the frozen ice of the Arctic Ocean, staged at the Barneo Ice Camp on April 8.

Around 50 runners from across the globe had taken part in the 42.2 km race organised on the backdrop of challenging harsh conditions. Enthusiasts had to brave cold and snow to run through one of the remotest parts of the planet.

Polish runner Piotr Suchenia won the marathon in 4 hours 6 minutes, while France’s Frederique Laurent became first under women’s race in 6 hours 21 minutes.

A Nepali person Bhim Gurung stood second in the race completing it in 4 hours 18 minutes, while another Nepali man Samir Tamang was third with a time of 4 hours 31 minutes.

Gurung from Gorkha and Tamang from Ramechhap districts are both with the Nepal Army.

Gurung has many records in his account with first position in the Trofeo Kima (Skyrunning World Series) (52Km) in 2016, second in Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon (42Km) in 2016 and 1st position in the same race in 2015, and prominent positions in many other races.

The North Pole Marathon is the only marathon run on water. Participants run on the mass of ice floating on the Arctic Ocean with thin layer of ice separating them from the ocean.

Bhim Gurung

Samir Tamang