Tromsø sits almost 70 degrees north so is inside the Arctic Circle. At this time of year it is pretty much dark all the time....sunrise today was about 10:30am and sunset by 2pm!
The weather was fairly warm at 1 degree centigrade with a wind chill factor making it -4 degrees :-)
I have to say I was a little nervous (and unprepared) to be running on a course that consisted entirely of ice and snow...particularly when the organiser said last night that he suggested everyone run in shoes with spikes on. Luckily there was a store in town that I could go to today to buy those...although after 16kms they do really start to rub on the toes!
Despite that it was a fun race and the entire route was marked by candlelight which was lovely to see. I did go wrong at one point but a marshal caught up with me to send me back!
I finished in a time of 1 hour 27 minutes 19 seconds (placing me 6th in my category of men aged 30-39) which is not too shabby given the terrain and my excessive eating and drinking over the last few weeks!
No sign of the Northern Lights yet but am keeping my eyes peeled.
They do a midnight sun half marathon here too if anyone fancies it?! Running at midnight in the light...maybe have to add to my list....
Some pictures form the race below:
Medal:
Rare glimpse of the city in daylight:
Start Line:
Much like the yellow brick road....follow the candles....
Flame thrower at the start:
Now time for dinner and maybe a husky lead tour around the area tomorrow....
Some nice support of the blog below from a fellow runner and author of "Keep on Running":
