Urban experiences meet raw Arctic nature
Midnight Sun Marathon
Midnight Sun Marathon – an Arctic adventure for runners.
General information
Tromsø, the Arctic capital, is located at 69 degrees north, about 350 km above the Arctic Circle. This is the home of the Midnight Sun Marathon, a unique running event that brings together thousands of runners from all over the world.
Every year, runners travel to Tromsø to take part in this Arctic adventure. Many return year after year to experience the distinctive atmosphere, the bright summer night and the spectacular surroundings.
In summer, Tromsø has the midnight sun, with long, bright days and nights when the sun never sets. The race offers strong contrasts and memorable experiences, combining sport, nature and city life in the heart of Northern Norway.
Midnight Sun Marathon is more than a race. It is a public festival that brings together participants, volunteers and the local community. Many people gather along the course and by the finish line to cheer the runners on through the streets of Tromsø, helping to create the intimate atmosphere and charm that make the event so special.
You can choose a distance to suit your ambitions: Marathon, Mizuno Half Marathon, Mila (10 km), Coop Mini Marathon (4.2 km) and the Kids Marathon (0.8 km). Whether you run a marathon, half marathon or a shorter distance, Midnight Sun Marathon offers an experience that will leave a lasting impression.
The organisers are proud that Midnight Sun Marathon has been highlighted as one of the marathons in the world that runners should experience, including by the international running magazine Runner’s World in 2024. The decorated para-runner Richard Whitehead also took part in the record-breaking 2025 edition.
We cannot guarantee sunshine, but we can guarantee an experience out of the ordinary.
Midnight Sun Marathon in Tromsø offers a unique combination of nature, culture and running joy. Surrounded by mountains, fjords and an Arctic summer where the sun shines all night, this is one of the world’s northernmost marathons and a highlight in the running calendar for both experienced and new runners.
Find more information on the official Midnight Sun Marathon website.
Facilities
- Eco certified
About Foundation Midnight Sun Marathon
The Midnight Sun Marathon Foundation organises running events throughout the year, giving participants the chance to experience Tromsø under the midnight sun, during the Polar Night and in the surrounding mountains.
The Midnight Sun Marathon Foundation organises several running events in Tromsø throughout the year, with different distances and challenges for experienced runners and recreational participants alike.
The Midnight Sun Marathon takes place in summer and offers five distances under the midnight sun. In winter, the Polar Night Marathon gives participants the opportunity to run through Tromsø during the Polar Night season.
The foundation also organises Tromsø Mountain Challenge, with trail races in the mountains around Tromsø, as well as Tromsø Backyard Ultra, where participants complete a new lap every hour for as long as they are able to continue.
With events in different seasons and distances ranging from shorter road races to marathons, trail races and ultra running, the foundation gives both local and visiting runners the opportunity to experience Tromsø through running.
Phone: +47 776 73 363
Email: [email protected]
Web: https://msm.no/en/midnight-sun-marathon/
Memberships and certifications