The coldest place on Earth, a 42.2 km finish line, and an opportunity that sounded almost too wild to be real. That’s how my journey to the Antarctica Marathon began. When Marathon Tours announced their “Coolest Job on Earth” contest, I knew immediately that I had to apply.

As I read through the contest details, it felt like the opportunity had been written specifically for me. Marathon Tours was looking for someone to join their upcoming expedition to Antarctica and document the experience of running the 2026 Antarctica Marathon. They wanted a creative storyteller with a deep passion for running, and the more I read, the more confident I became that my experience, interests, and skill set were a perfect match.

One afternoon, I sat down to plan my application video. I outlined my talking points, set up my camera, and pressed record. I spoke about my love of running, the running community, and my background in marathons and ultramarathons. I shared about my experiences traveling the world while creating content for major brands, and I talked about how being an artist and creative has shaped the way I see and tell stories. I even mentioned that growing up in the Canadian Rockies had given me plenty of experience in sub-zero temperatures.

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After hitting post, I threw my name into the ring and tried not to think too much about it. Life carried on with a trip to Europe, plans for new art projects, and daydreams about spring races still to come. Then, on an otherwise normal Monday afternoon, I opened Instagram and saw my own submission video playing on Marathon Tours’ page. Just like that, the announcement was public. I had been chosen. In just over three months, I would be running the Antarctica Marathon.

I’m no stranger to running marathons. I’ve completed eight so far, and I genuinely enjoy every part of the process, from training and preparation to race planning and, of course, race day itself. This one, however, is different. It’s a race that’s almost impossible to fully prepare for. That’s part of what makes it so exciting, and why I decided to document the training and experience of getting ready for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Almost as soon as I found out I’d been selected, I began researching the race and its logistics. When you hear the words “marathon in Antarctica,” it’s easy to imagine endless snow, ice, and running through a completely white, frozen landscape. As I dug deeper, though, I learned that the marathon takes place on King George Island, with the course following a dirt and mud road that connects four research bases on the island. Knowing I wouldn’t be running entirely on snow or ice was reassuring, but it was clear that the cold and relentless wind would still be major factors to contend with.

After taking a short break over Christmas, I’ve stepped into 2026 ready to begin training. Luckily, the first week of the year in the UK delivered exactly what I needed. Cold temperatures and winter weather gave me the chance to test my cold-weather gear and reacquaint myself with what it feels like to run in minus degrees. It was a small but fitting preview of what lies ahead.

From what I have been reading, the average temperatures during the race range from 0 to -10c, so with the UK temperatures hovering right around that, I had to get out and start my training and embrace the cold.

My first training run couldn’t have been a better start. It was a bright, sunny Sunday group run with my running club, taking in nearby trails and frosted paths in the early morning light. I broke in a new pair of Altra Lone Peak trail shoes and quickly learned that a single pair of gloves wouldn’t be enough if I wanted to avoid numb fingers, or worse.

The following day brought a hill sprint session with the club. Short, sharp 30-second efforts up a steep, icy hill made for a challenging workout, though thankfully we all made it back without turning into accidental speed skaters.

By Wednesday, I headed out solo for a long, easy trail run under clear skies. The temperatures were still well below zero, but with wind and rain forecast later in the week, I wanted to make the most of the calm conditions. I ran 22 km from Aldershot to Guildford along the North Downs Way, one of my favourite local routes. The trail winds past historic homes like Moor Park House, once home to the author of Gulliver’s Travels, before passing vineyards, farmland, and charming villages such as Seale and Puttenham, eventually emerging into Guildford. With no time goal in mind, it was simply about enjoying the run and spending time on my feet, breaking in the shoes.

I added in another trail run in our nearby woodlands which helped me get more time in my new shoes and then I lined up for my first race of the year, which turned out to be perfect preparation for what lies ahead. Alongside a few running friends, I took part in the Doughnut Dash, a “choose your own adventure” style race where you decide how far to run and stop when you’ve had enough. The course is a 5 km out-and-back loop, making it ideal practice for repetition. The Antarctica Marathon itself is made up of multiple out-and-back loops, so getting comfortable with seeing the same scenery again and again will be key. I chose to run a half marathon (and ate 3 doughnuts in the process!)

There’s still a lot to plan for this experience. It’s far more than just a race. It’s a creative project, a chance to visit my seventh continent, and a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I want to make the most of.

In the upcoming posts, I’ll be sharing what I’m learning about the race and the journey to get there, how I’m preparing, and the gear I’m testing and choosing along the way.

If there’s anything you’d like to know about the race, the experience, or the preparation involved, feel free to let me know!