FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Thom Gilligan
(617) 242-7845 or
Patrice Malloy
(760) 635-2833
LAST CHANCE FOR THE LAST MARATHON
Fifth Annual Antarctica Marathon Has Last Minute Availability
KING GEORGE ISLAND, ANTARCTICA, JANUARY 2, 2002- Athletes looking to run
26.2 miles on what is known as the coldest, windiest, driest, and most
remote continent on Earth are in luck. Officials for the March 2, 2002
Antarctica Marathon and Half-Marathon have announced that the race has four
more openings available. The race typically sells out every year with 117
adventure-seeking runners.
Known as the "Last Continent" because of its harsh weather extremes,
Antarctica boasts a two-mile- thick ice cap. "Fortunately, early March is
summertime in Antarctica which makes the race doable in most years," says
Thom Gilligan, President of Boston-based Marathon Tours and Travel, the
race organizer and exclusive travel agency for the event. "But sometimes
Mother Nature can play the role of race director," furthered Gilligan.
Race-day temperatures are expected to range from 15 to 30 degrees
Fahrenheit.
The Antarctica Marathon is known for its spectacular scenery, serene
solitude, challenging terrain and unique spectators. Runners will possibly
encounter penguins, seals and the inimitable brown skua as they endure the
dirt roads, glaciers, rocky beaches and four international research bases
along the way.
Getting to the race is half the fun and as much of the challenge. On
February 22nd, runners will take overnight flights to Buenos Aires,
Argentina, then fly to Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, the world's southernmost
city. After a mid-day shopping and sightseeing workout in Ushuaia, runners
will board a chartered ship for a ten-day journey through the Beagle Channel
across the Drake Passage and finally into Antarctica waters. After weaving
through icebergs and bays of the Shetland Islands and Antarctica Peninsula,
runners will be treated to hiking, kayaking and overnight camping in
addition to the 26.2 and 13.1-mile competitions.
Complete race tour packages range from $4,499 to $5,499 and includes
membership in the Antarctica Athletic Federation. For more information
call Marathon Tours and Travel at (617-242-7845) or log on to
www.marathontour.com.
Marathon Tours and Travel, the leading marathon tour operator in the U.S.,
offers comprehensive travel packages to marathons worldwide including the
Safaricom Marathon in Kenya, the only marathon run entirely within a game
park.
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