7 adventurous running events around the world
Pushing your limits Here at Albatros Adventure Marathons we’re all about taking running to another level. Our philosophy is to offer challenges in beautiful surroundings and varying terrain. The focus is on great experiences, pushing limits and achieving something extraordinary.
family, friends and other running-minded spirits on an active holiday. All the events come with a tour package providing accommodation, social events and excursions at the destination. Push your limits at the next Albatros Adventure Marathon!
Albatros Adventure Marathons are not just about the race the events are also about enjoying time together with
China
The Great Wall Marathon Marathon, half marathon & 8.5km Fun Run Race day 16 May 2020 & 15 May 2021 Location Huangyaguan, China Climate 20-35°C/68-95°F First run 1999 Max capacity 2500 Best time men 3:09:18 Best time women 3:32:12
5,164 steps into history The Great Wall Marathon takes place in the picturesque and rural surroundings of Huangyaguan in Tianjin Province, China.
Deemed one of the toughest marathons in the world by other runners, The Great Wall Marathon is also one of the most beautiful and extraordinary races.
Founded in 1999, this race is more than the average running challenge with steep ascents and descents, not to mention the 5,164 steps to conquer. The course also showcases typical Chinese villages and countryside with supportive locals lining the route giving you a welldeserved break from focusing on the many steps of the wall.
Race entry is part of a tour package offering accommodation, transportation and sightseeing in and around Beijing, making this event an exciting experience regardless of running skills.
The race is more popular than ever and runners from all over the world travel to China to participate in this unique event.
See more on great-wall-marathon.com
South Africa
The Big Five Marathon Marathon & half marathon Race day 20 June 2020 & 19 June 2021 Location Entabeni, South Africa Climate 15-25°C/59-77°F First run 2005 Max capacity 300 Best time men 3:16:01 Best time women 3:45:24
The wildest of them all The Big Five Marathon in South Africa is held among the wildlife of the African savannah. Runners from all over the world will meet in one of the most spectacular Big Five game reserves in Africa. In these magnificent surroundings, runners are taken on a challenging route through the habitat of the most famous African game: elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard. No fences, no rivers, nothing at all separates runners from the wildlife.
during the race, making sure that runners can focus on sighting other animals like zebra, antelope and giraffe as well as paying attention to the rugged terrain. In the days before and after the marathon, participants will encounter African wildlife on some of the most fascinating safari drives South Africa has to offer and learn about the abundant wildlife and unique ecosystem of the Entabeni Game Reserve. Truly a wild adventure! See more on big-five-marathon.com
Race entries are limited to ensure safety – the number one priority of this race. The big five game is closely watched by park rangers
Iceland
Iceland Volcano Marathon Marathon & half marathon Race day 25 July 2020 Location Mývatn, Iceland Climate 10-14°C/50-57°F First run 2020 Max capacity 500 Best time men To be set Best time women To be set
Premiering in 2020, you can be among the first to run this epic race course right in one of Earth’s geological hotspots! Set near Lake Mývatn at the divergent boundaries of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, the route will run directly on the North Volcanic Zone. It’s a hot bed of geothermal activity with geysers, hot springs, and lava fields – what’s more, the volcanic zone is still very much active. With the massive Hverfjall crater at the center of the route, runners will pass through soft, black volcano sand, run in the Martian-red geothermal area of Namarskard, and cross the plains of lava rock and minor volcano craters.
With four nights in Mývatn, you will have ample opportunity to indulge in this outerworldly landscape, visit Europe’s largest waterfall, hike through the castle-like lava formations of Dimmuborgir, and relax in the warm Mývatn Nature Baths. Traveling to Mývatn is a bit like traveling back billions of years to the origins of Earth. See more on iceland-volcano-marathon.com
Jordan
The Petra Desert Marathon Marathon & half marathon Race day 5 September 2020 & 4 September 2021 Location Wadi Mousa, Jordan Climate 25-35°C/77-95°F First run 2009 Max capacity 500 Best time men 3:15:03 Best time women 4:03:41
Run back in time The Petra Desert Marathon is run in and around the ancient, fabled city of Petra in Jordan. Carved out of red rose sandstone mountains, the city is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the ‘New 7 Wonders of the World’. The route of The Petra Desert Marathon leads runners past the incredible tombs and caves before venturing into the Jordanian desert. With temperatures as high as 35°C/95°F and a hilly route offering very little shade, Petra Desert Marathon is an arduous race, but the reward is a sightseeing tour in the land of the Bedouins – a lunar-like landscape of red,
yellow, brown and golden-coloured mountains in dreamlike shapes where camels and goats are curious spectators. Being rich in history, culture and scenic nature, Jordan offers its visitors superb possibilities for an exciting vacation. From the splendid ruins of Petra and the vast and awe-inspiring Wadi Rum desert, to a floating swim in the Dead Sea – Jordan has something for everybody to enjoy, not to mention, the generous Jordanian hospitality! See more on petra-desert-marathon.com
Spain
World’s Fastest Marathon Marathon Race day Pending October 2020 Location Granada, Spain Climate 12-28°C/54-82°F First run 2019 Max capacity 500 Best time men Sub 2? Best time women New WR?
Beat your best Running for a new PR is stepping out of one’s comfort zone and that is exactly what we have done with our newest event, the World’s Fastest Marathon! Albatros Adventure Marathons traditionally place greater focus on the social aspect, the experience of the run and the victory in simply getting to the finish line – rather than one’s “finishing time”. Unlike these events, the World’s Fastest Marathon puts the clock at the forefront. With an almost 100% downhill route (less than 1km is without decline), an altitude drop of 1983 meters (6506 feet), and an average descent of
4.6%, this race course will get your feet moving! It’s fast. Perhaps, the World’s Fastest? Downhill running sounds easy, but does present its own challenges. Giving attention to downhill running techniques is highly recommended, or you might find yourself crossing the finish line more exhausted than ever! Race entry is part of a tour package offering accommodation and sightseeing in and around the historic and culturally-rich city of Granada. What’s more, through our cooperation with Mikkeller Beer, the after party is set to keep your feet moving on the dance floor... See more on worlds-fastest-marathon.com
Greenland
The Polar Circle Marathon Marathon, half marathon & Polar Bear Challenge Race day 24 – 25 October 2020 & 30 – 31 October 2021 Location Kangerlussuaq, Greenland Climate -15 - -5°C/5-23°F First run 2001 Max capacity 250 Best time men 2:53:45 Best time women 3:41:37
The coolest marathon on Earth The Polar Circle Marathon takes place in icy Greenland and is a unique chance to explore one of the world´s most fascinating corners. The Polar Circle Marathon is one of the world’s most exclusive races as the logistics in the area caps the number of participants to a total of 250. International participants from Australia to Brazil and South Africa to Japan travel to this remote part of the world to take up the challenge of battling the freezing temperatures and the endless sky. The marathon takes place on Saturday and the half marathon on Sunday giving you the
chance to run both distances and take on the Polar Bear Challenge. Starting with a loop on the ice sheet, participants run through an extraordinary landscape of glacier tongues and arctic desert. Runners will be in for a challenge in this astonishing area, where reindeer and musk oxen graze and the Northern Lights create a mesmerising show in the night sky. With five days in Kangerlussuaq, participants have time to take in the fascinating nature and get a taste of Greenland. See more on polar-circle-marathon.com
Myanmar
The Bagan Temple Marathon Marathon, half marathon & 10km Race day 23 November 2019 & 28 November 2020 Location Bagan, Myanmar Climate 25-30°C/77-86°F First run 2013 Max capacity 500 Best time men 2:53:34 Best time women 3:27:20
2,000 wonders await you Tucked away in central Myanmar on the banks of the Ayeyarwaddy River, the ancient site of Bagan is home to more than 2,000 Buddhist temples.
distracted from the scorching heat and sandy route. The area’s small villages exude an aura of yesteryear and you will get a sense of what life was like one hundred years ago as you run through these traditional settlements.
The race course will take runners on a voyage of discovery into this alluring land where sacred pagodas are scattered across the plains creating a mystical, stunning landscape. Dating back one thousand years, these beautiful places of worship showcase the glorious era of 11th-century kings and Bagan’s beauty and historical significance is unsurpassed.
Myanmar has experienced an increasing interest from travellers worldwide, but the way of life has remained largely intact and travelling to Myanmar is like turning back the clock.
Runners will have ample opportunity to admire the beautiful temples of Bagan and be
See more on bagan-temple-marathon.com
Polar Circle Marathon Iceland Volcano Marathon
World’s Fastest Marathon Petra Desert Marathon
Big Five Marathon
Albatros Adventure Marathons | Tøndergade 16 | DK-1752 Copenhagen V marathon@albatros-adventure.com | albatros-adventure-marathons.com Tel. +45 36 98 98 38
The Great Wall Marathon Bagan Temple Marathon