FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thirty-Seven Below at North Pole Marathon

The world's coolest marathon, the North Pole Marathon, lived up to its
billing when competitors endured temperatures of -37C at the North Pole.

Thirty-eight participants from 14 countries and 6 continents started the
26.2-mile race on Wednesday April 7th at 15:30 GMT. Operated at a drifting
Russian ice base at the Geographic North Pole, the event is quite literally
run 'on' water: the frozen Arctic sea ice. Contestants must negotiate
energy sapping soft snow and small ice pressure ridges to complete the
race.

Race director, Richard Donovan of Ireland, said the event was operated
without a hitch, taking place in brilliant sunshine and spectacular
scenery.

Evgeniy Gorkov, a vastly experienced Russian extreme athlete, took the lead
from the outset to win in a time of 4:27:05. A close battle for second
position ensued before France's Renaud Michel eventually prevailed over
Willy Roberts of New Zealand. Michel was one of four brothers who all
finished in the top 8 places.

Six women took part in the women's competition. Pushpa Chandra of Canada
edged out Great Britain's Daniela Spiridigliozzi in the closing stages to
win in a time of 7:27:31. Sarah Ames of Germany finished third.

Seven of the competitors completed the Grand Slam of marathons, having run
one on all seven continents and at the North Pole. The race also featured
its youngest ever finisher in Stefanie Petterrson of Brazil. The sixteen
year-old was accompanied by her father on the course. Sixty-eight year old
Dan Hamner (USA) became the oldest finisher in the seven year history of
the race.

For more details, see www.npmarathon.com.

###