The Race
The Polar Night Marathon is the winter counterpart to the Midnight Sun Marathon, run by the same organiser on Tromsø’s central streets in early January, when the sun does not clear the horizon at all. The race is run in the blue, low-angle Arctic light of the polar night rather than darkness, with the genuine possibility - not a guarantee - of the northern lights overhead. The full marathon distance is branded the Ishavskraft Marathon for its title sponsor and stays deliberately small: fewer than 200 runners finished it in 2026, against close to 2,400 across all four distances offered that weekend. Detailed route information (specific turns, surface, elevation) was not published in the sources available at the time of writing; check msm.no for the current course map before travelling.
| Distance | 42.195 km (also offered: half marathon, 10km Mørketidsmila, 5km Mørketidstrimen) |
| Course type | Central loop, Tromsø city streets. Detailed profile not published. |
| Certification | AIMS certified |
| Start location | Central Tromsø |
| Finish location | Central Tromsø |
| Elevation gain | Not published |
| Total finishers | Fewer than 200 (marathon distance, 2026) |
| Cutoff time | Not published |
| Light conditions | Polar night - sun does not clear the horizon; blue-hour Arctic daylight |
| Free race-day transport | Not applicable - central loop course, no start transfer needed |
A genuinely small field: at the marathon distance, this is one of the smaller AIMS-certified marathons covered on MarathonPassport. Most participants on race weekend run one of the three shorter distances; the full marathon is for runners who specifically want the complete polar-night experience over 42.195 km.
Entry
Registration for all four distances runs through signup.eqtiming.com. There is no published qualifying standard for the marathon distance. Norway is expensive by European standards; budget travel and accommodation costs accordingly, particularly given January’s overlap with northern lights tourism demand.
Race Weekend
Getting to Tromsø
There is no rail connection to Tromsø - flying is the only realistic option. Tromsø Airport (TOS) at Langnes is around 5 minutes from the city centre. Direct flights run from Oslo, Stockholm, Copenhagen, and Helsinki.
Race Day Light and Conditions
In early January, Tromsø is in the depth of the polar night: the sun does not clear the horizon. The race runs in blue-hour Arctic daylight rather than true darkness, but conditions are genuinely cold and the days are short. Spectators along the course light it with candles, which the organiser highlights as part of the event's character.
What to Bring
Cold-weather race layering applies in full - this is a January race north of the Arctic Circle, a different proposition entirely from the mild evening conditions of the Midnight Sun Marathon. A throwaway layer for the start is sensible, as is footwear suited to potentially icy surfaces.
The Finish in Central Tromsø
As with the summer race, the course is a central loop, so the finish is back in the heart of the city near the start. The candlelit spectator points that line the route make the finish straightforward to find even in low light.
Where to Stay
Tromsø is small enough that naming individual hotels adds little - stay centrally and you are close to everything. The same central-Tromsø base that works for the Midnight Sun Marathon in summer works here too. The one difference worth flagging: January is peak season in Tromsø for northern lights tourism on its own, independent of the race, so hotel demand is high and rooms are worth booking well in advance regardless of when the marathon itself sells out.
See & Do
The polar night version of Tromsø trades the summer’s daylight attractions for a different set of reasons to extend the trip.
Northern lights tours
Tromsø is one of the most reliable bases in the world for aurora viewing, weather and solar activity permitting. Numerous operators run evening tours away from city light pollution; book ahead given January demand.
Fjellheisen cable car
Runs through winter as well as summer, weather depending. The view over a snow-covered, half-lit Tromsø from 421 metres is a different experience entirely from the midnight sun version.
The Arctic Cathedral
A ten-minute walk from the finish. The interior mosaic glass takes on a different character under polar-night light and evening illumination than it does in June.
Polaria
The world's northernmost aquarium - an easy, warm, low-effort half-day when outdoor options are weather-dependent.
The Polar Museum
Arctic exploration history, from polar bear hunting to the expeditions of Amundsen and Nansen. A flat, indoor option that suits recovering legs and short winter days equally well.
Storgata in January
A different atmosphere from the white-night version: candlelit windows, an early dusk that never quite became daylight, and a city that has built an entire tourism season around the dark.
After the Race
Post-race itineraries for Tromsø are still being built - check back, or see the full destination story below for what the city and its winter season offer beyond race day.
Long Read
Running Out of Darkness: Why the Midnight Sun Marathon Belongs on Your Race Calendar
The Polar Night Marathon is the winter half of the story - the full piece on Tromsø, the midnight sun, and its dark-season counterpart is on the Destinations desk.
Frequently asked questions
Should I stay near the start or the finish?
They are the same place. Like its summer counterpart, the course is a central loop starting and finishing in Tromsø city centre.
How far in advance should I book a hotel?
Early. January is peak season in Tromsø for northern lights tourism on its own, so hotel demand is high regardless of the race.
Is there free transport to the start?
Not needed. The course runs on central Tromsø streets, walkable from most central accommodation.
What is the best neighbourhood to stay in?
Central Tromsø - the same base that works for the Midnight Sun Marathon in summer.
What distances are on offer?
Four: the full marathon (branded the Ishavskraft Marathon), a half marathon, the 10km Mørketidsmila, and the 5km Mørketidstrimen.
What is the weather and light like?
The sun does not clear the horizon in early January - expect blue-hour Arctic daylight, cold conditions, and a chance (not a guarantee) of the northern lights.
How do I get to Tromsø?
Fly. There is no rail connection. Tromsø Airport (TOS) is about 5 minutes from the centre, with direct flights from Oslo, Stockholm, Copenhagen, and Helsinki.
Is there a bag drop?
Check signup.eqtiming.com or msm.no for current-year arrangements - not published in detail at the time of writing.
Should I bring a throwaway layer?
Yes. This is a January Arctic race - cold-weather layering applies in full, unlike the comparatively mild Midnight Sun Marathon.
How do I get back to my hotel after finishing?
The finish is central, so most hotels are within walking distance. Candlelit spectator points along the course make it easy to navigate even in low light.