The PolarNight Marathon begins in Tromsø, Norway, close to 70 degrees north latitude, during winter when the sun remains below the horizon. Its half marathon, held annually in January, is the northernmost AIMS-certified half marathon globally. This offers a setting few other road races can match: true Arctic darkness instead of an early start before dawn.
The course is illuminated by torches, and on clear nights, participants might witness the aurora borealis above as they compete. The list of past winners features a significant number of Nordic athletes, particularly Norwegians, but also includes competitors from Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Great Britain, the United States, and South Africa. Jens-Kristian Berg was a frequent winner of the men's race in its initial years, and Hilde Aders later achieved a similar record in the women's competition.