On top of the world: Gary evades polar bears in -30 degree C conditions to claim North Pole marathon!

Date Published: 12-Apr-2013

A Galway man was literally on top of the world this week after winning the UVU North Pole Marathon.

Gary Thornton led a field of 35 competitors on Tuesday to take the title in what has been called ‘the world’s coolest marathon’.

The Newcastle native battled deep snow and temperatures of -30C to complete the course in a time of 3 hours 49.29 seconds.

Speaking from Svalbard in Norway, the 33-years-old said that the race was “indescribable”.

In travelling to the event, Gary admitted that he was “going into the unknown”.

“I wasn’t going up there with a target time in my head because it’s so different.”

Even though the event organisers called the conditions “the toughest we ever had”, the race winner revealed that he was feeling a lot better after the marathon than he had expected.

“I feel ok, I thought I’d be pretty tired but I’m not too bad. I feel good having rested since Tuesday,” Gary said.

“We were running on snow, so the damage to your muscles wouldn’t be the same as a normal road race.”

Gary had company on the long trip to the North Pole as his wife, Elaine, also ran in the event, completing the half-marathon. He finished just 13 minutes behind the race record set by fellow Irishman, Thomas Maguire, in 2007.

According to Galwayman Richard Donovan, the race founder, Gary’s achievement is difficult to compare against past events due to the constantly changing conditions on the North Pole.

However, he said the Galway man’s effort was “a cracking time” considering the conditions.

“The guy Gary finished ahead of is a very good runner and he finished a long way in front of him,” Richard said.

Temperatures were hitting -30C when the competitors set off on the 26.2 mile looped circuit.

Gary said that ice formed across his eyes during the race, the only part of his skin that was exposed.

“I went up there not thinking I’d need a facemask but thankfully I made the decision before the race to wear one,” he revealed.

The primary school teacher said temperatures ‘warmed’ to around -20C during the race. While the snow was soft underfoot, it meant that the marathon became more challenging as the race continued.

While one would think that the athletes would be thankful for the rising temperatures, it actually proved a hindrance to them.

“As the temperature rose, the course became softer. The snow started to disintegrate and it became really difficult for the racers,” Garyexplained.

He described the snow as “very deep” by the end of the race.

“As people were going round the circuit it was breaking up and coming up over your knee,” he said.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.