Sir Ranulph Fiennes, once dubbed the greatest living explorer by Guinness World Records, has entered the upcoming RedMoon North Pole Marathon (26.2 miles) on 10 April 2004.
Among his numerous accomplishments, Fiennes has trekked unsupported across the Antarctic continent with Mike Stroud, completed the first polar circumnavigation of the earth with Charles Burton, and in November 2003 completed a global adventure of seven marathons in seven days despite having had by-pass surgery earlier in the year. In a life-threatening attempt at the North Pole in 2000, he ended up losing the lower portions of the fingers on his left hand due to severe frostbite.
However, he now returns undaunted to the North Pole to run a competitive marathon.
Lining up against Fiennes in a sixteen-person field will be David Deubelbeiss, a Canadian international ultra athlete and perhaps the favourite for the race.
The bravest person among the marathon field, however, is the inspiring Mark Pollock of Ireland. Mark will have lost his sight exactly six years to the scheduled date of the race. Despite being blind, he has competed at the highest level in rowing, winning team silver and bronze medals in the Commonwealth Regatta in 2002. He also finished the Gobi March self-sufficient 150-mile desert race in 2003. On this occasion, he will be accompanied by John O’Regan of Dublin, who will guide him throughout the race.
The itinerary will find RedMoon North Pole Marathon participants flying on April 9th by Antonov jet from Svalbard (Norway) to the drifting pack ice in the high Arctic Ocean between 89N and 90N latitude. Once landed on a makeshift blue ice runway, a flagged circuit of 1-2 miles that avoids the presence of any leads (open water) or large pressure ridges will be prepared.
Beneath the ice will be 12,000 feet of ocean as there is no land at the North Pole. Competitors hope to eventually finish the 26.2 mile race at the colourful ceremonial North Pole that protrudes amidst a plethora of international flags. An award ceremony and photographs at exactly 90N will follow once all have successfully completed the event.
