Polar Night Half Marathon

Launched in 2015, the Polar Night Half Marathon is one of the newer races on the circuit. Despite its youth, it has quickly built a reputation in Tromsø, attracting runners drawn to its flat roads and scenic routes and the energy of an event still finding its identity.

The fastest time ever recorded at the Polar Night Half Marathon is 01:17:33, set by Sondre Nordstad Moen in 2022. Every year, new contenders line up hoping to challenge that mark on the streets of Tromsø.

Running the Polar Night Half Marathon means operating at the edge of what the human body tolerates. Sub-zero temperatures, biting winds, and a landscape of ice create an environment where finishing is the achievement and time is almost irrelevant.

Racing in temperatures that hover around -6°C demands respect. The Polar Night Half Marathon tests not just fitness but preparation — the wrong clothing choice or insufficient warm-up routine can turn a good race into a survival exercise within the first few kilometers.