The Stanley Marathon on the Falkland Islands is officially the world's most southerly AIMS-certified marathon.
Stanley, the capital city of the Falkland Islands (total population of 3,000), has hosted the marathon for the past five years and will be held in 2010 on Sunday, March 14th.
At a latitude of 51 degrees S, 57degrees W, the notoriously challenging route of varying gradients and strong winds starts in Stanley and then stretches out to the Island's airport before doubling back.
Cheered on by Falkland natives or "Kelpers", international runners are also greeted by abundant wildlife dotted along the course including many different famed varieties of penguins which flock to the Islands to breed.
In 2003 Sir Ranulph Fiennes was the first person to ever run a marathon in the Falklands. Sir Ranulph visited the Islands as part of his take to complete seven marathons, on seven continents, in seven days. In 2008 the Stanley Marathon was again under the spotlight as blind UK runner Dave Heeley successfully completed the ‘Magnificent Seven' with his sighted runner partner Malcom Carr.
In 2010 the top prize for the men's open (and women's) open is £1100 (approx CAD$1,832). There is also a male (and female) relay team category.
For guidelines and entry information please log onto www.standardchartered.com and contact Adventure Life 1-800-344-6118 and internationally 406-541-2677 or log onto www.adventure-life.com/tours/stanley-marathon-in-the-falkland-islands-1956 for specific Stanley Marathon packages from North America.
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