“Official”
I wasn’t actually going to run this marathon, although I had been on the previous incarnations organised by Adventure Marathon. But as time went by, there were so many new initiatives, most of which were repeated year after year. There was no discussion about my running in China every year, but taking part in up to four Adventure Marathon runs, each year, was unrealistic. In an e-mail in May I told Søren Rasmussen that the organisers would have to do without me this year for the first time. But Søren wouldn’t accept this, and simply appointed me as an “official”, making this my second invitation on a free trip in two years.
Comeback
Having taken part in the first trips to The Polar Circle Marathon, I also signed up in 2003. This marathon was, however, cancelled, and because the race was not run in 2004 either I thought it was a thing of the past. But this was not the way it was to be.
This trip started on Thursday 6th October. This was a month later than in previous years, and I would soon feel the difference because the temperature this time was a good deal lower than previously.
A drunk on board
On the outward flight, I had quite a peculiar experience. As we approached Kangerlussuaq, I heard a commotion going on a little further forward in the aircraft. Somebody was shouting, and some of the cabin crew were engaged in what looked like a conflict. And I was not mistaken. In the seat sat a drunken man, who had been rather restless during the whole of the flight. The cabin crew had had him under observation, and he had not been given alcohol on board. But he had brought his own stuff along with him. As the plane began the approach to land, the man refused to sit down and put on his seatbelt, and when the cabin crew tried to force him into his seat he spat one of them in the face. It took four of them to hold him down and tie him to the seat. We were asked to remain seated on the apron because one passenger had to be taken off before the rest of us. The police took the drunken man away, and as he was led up the aisle by two officers the rest of the passengers began to clap.
A chilly affair
In 2001, we had stayed at the hotel adjoining the airport building and the following year at the Hotel Umimmak, but this year we were accommodated at the Old Camp youth hostel. So now I had tried them all.
Old Camp is Greenland’s biggest and best youth hostel, situated less than two kilometres from Kangerlussuaq Airport. Accommodation at the Old Camp is in traditional red-painted longhouses built by the Americans during World War II.
I was to stay in a small hut behind the youth hostel with a guy called Gustav. There were two rooms, a bed loft and the living room. There was light only in the living room, but the electricity hadn’t been turned on, so the radiators didn’t work either. It was perishing cold, so I went to the reception where they promised to switch on the power. However, after the information meeting at lunch time the hut was still cold. I had to wrap myself in two duvets, and later I went up to the hostel’s TV room to get warm.
During supper in the restaurant of the rowing club, we were given more information about the run, and when I returned later to the hut it was warm, so I was able to crawl into bed in a good mood.
Longer section on the inland ice
The day before the race, we went on the traditional inspection tour. Now it really was obvious that the race was being run four weeks later than previously. There was snow on the route, whereas previously it had only been on the ice itself.
The route across the inland ice was also different. This section was twice as long and made several loops, whereas previously it had been straight ahead in one direction and then back again the same way. At the evening information meeting, I had bought some spikes to fit on my shoes, an excellent investment.
Sheer hell
On Saturday 8th October, the starting pistol was fired for the third incarnation of The Polar Circle Marathon, which also enjoyed the status of the first unofficial Adventure Marathon world championships. It was absolutely freezing cold, so it was a good job we were wearing the right clothing.
The first two kilometres were sheer hell. There were harsh frost and stiff head wind, and most of the route was uphill. You could feel it in your lungs. After this introductory hurdle, we arrived at the inland ice, where things got much easier. There was shelter here and no wind, so running here was actually a pleasure. At one stage, I ran the wrong way round a marker and was about to run out onto the ice too early. But I became aware of this and had to go back so as not to cheat.
A different strategy
I was in the company of three women, who had all originally signed up for the half-marathon. But because they wanted to run on the inland ice, they had changed it to the full marathon and planned to drop out half way. In that way, they would know that they had run a half marathon across the inland ice although their endeavours would not be officially recognised.
One of these women was called Camilla, and she and I were in last place as we came off the inland ice. I told her it seemed we were keeping more of less the same pace and proposed that she run the full distance. I would accompany her to the finish. This later turned out to be a great advantage to us both.
One of those days
Shortly after leaving the inland ice, approximately five kilometres, a vehicle wanted to pass us. I moved over to the side and twisted my left ankle. It hurt, but I was able to continue. After 13 kilometres, I fell over a stone as far as I am tall. This tore a hole in all three of the pairs of trousers I was wearing, and I hit my knee hard. But I got going again. With 20 kilometres left to go, I managed to twist my ankle yet again. This time, I could feel that it was not so good, although I was able to continue. Then I twisted the same ankle with 13 kilometres left to go and was finished as a runner and started walking. I was absolutely determined to finish this race. Only 102 days earlier, I had dropped out of the marathon in South Africa. There was no way this was going to happen again.
Teamwork
I said to Camilla that she should just keep on running, but she didn’t want to. She didn’t believe it would make much difference to her finishing time. She also believed that our teamwork benefited both of us, and she had no intention of leaving me behind when I had helped her get so far.
We continued together at a fast trot, and I took the time at each kilometre marker. To begin with it took us ten minutes to complete a kilometre, but in the end it was taking as 13 minutes. At no point did we stress ourselves or panic because we could see that we could finish within the time limit. The only concern was my foot. I twisted my ankle three times as we were walking, but fortunately things didn’t go completely wrong. Camilla had to sit down on a stone once in a while to massage her foot. I just continued, and she would jog along and catch up with me.
The nurse Karin Rishøj drove past us several times, but I didn’t dare tell her about my foot for fear of being taken out. Five kilometres before the end of the run, we were given hot elderberry juice to drink, which was the most delicious “meal” of the day.
A wonderful reception
A welcoming committee was waiting for us at the finishing line. As the last to finish the run, we walked across the line hand-in-hand with a time of 6:39:32. The limit had been seven hours, so we were in good time. This was the second time I had completed a whole marathon in the company of another runner and oddly enough, both times were in Greenland. Thomas gave me a big hug and told me with tears in his eyes that he was proud of me. That moment made it all worthwhile. Søren was also there to give me a warm hug that said everything.
I went to the shower where the doctor, Mogens Rishøj, attended to me and ascertained that I had a “tennis ball” on the side of my foot, so I was told to take a shower, after which Mogens came in to bandage my foot.
Minor injury
Afterwards, I was hardly able to walk down the stairs and had to be helped out to a car. I was so cold it was pathetic to behold. I was driven to the youth hostel together with Camilla and was so cold I had to be helped into the hut.
I lay on my bed and did nothing but watch films for an hour and a half, after which Camilla and a guide came to see me. All the tender loving care was wonderful and after a while I began to feel better.
Camilla as my dinner partner
By the time evening came I was able to put some weight on my foot and was ready for the gala party at the rowing club restaurant. I asked Camilla if she would be my dinner partner. After nearly seven hours struggling together, I felt we should enjoy each other’s company that evening.
I was not ferociously hungry although I did have a surprisingly good appetite after the run. We had fish as a starter, followed by reindeer, then coffee and cake later on.
Later in the evening, we went out to see the Northern Lights. It was very interesting, but I was completely shattered after a hard day, so I decided to skip the party and take the first bus back to the youth hostel.
A lazy day and Greenland coffee
The day after the run was one of the few when I pottered around on my own. I spent some time at the computer, prepared my damaged running gear and packed my suitcase.
In the evening, I went to enjoy Greenland coffee with Danish doughnuts around a fire in the tepee at the youth hostel. Greenland coffee consists of coffee, whisky, Kahlúa and heated Grand Marnier. It was a bit like drinking Irish coffee. Like everything else in Greenland it is very expensive, but I paid gladly, more for the experience than the taste.
Time for a break and recovery
Monday 10th October was spent travelling home. A cold long weekend and a physically demanding marathon were now behind me. Now it was time to recover after a tough year, so that I could be ready for the marathon year 2006.
The Polar Circle Marathon 2005 meant a lot to me. It was valuable and refreshing for me to make a comeback, having dropped out in South Africa. It was also of great value to me that I completed the run despite all the accidents that had occurred along the way. And Søren’s gesture of inviting me in the first place and then welcoming me over the finishing line was indescribable. Up to and including this run, I had been on all Adventure Marathon’s trips. I knew, however, that I was not going to run this very special race again. It was good to do it three times, but that was enough.
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