Conquering the Elements: Setting a New Record in Antarctica

On the third day of running back-to-back ultramarathons in Antarctica, Donna Urquhart experienced the harsh reality of the continent's extreme conditions. She faced strong winds, freezing temperatures, and limited visibility that made it impossible to see her own feet.

Struggling to stay on course, Urquhart often tripped and stumbled as she tried to keep moving forward. Her anxiety grew when she realized she had strayed off the path marked by flags.

"It felt like running in a cloud," she shares with CNN Sport. "It was tough. Sometimes it was snowing, and we were disoriented."

"I had never been to a polar region. Antarctica was new to me, and I wasn't used to those conditions. I was scared to go out, concerned about getting hypothermia or frostbite."

Urquhart just completed his first week of running 871 miles (1,402 kilometers) in Antarctica. This achievement set a new record for the longest run ever in a polar region.

The previous record was set by Pat Farmer, a former Australian politician who became an ultrarunner. However, Urquhart's attempt to break this record is still awaiting official confirmation.

She bravely faced extreme conditions in Antarctica, with temperatures dropping as low as -4 degrees Fahrenheit (-20 degrees Celsius) and winds reaching speeds of up to 50 miles per hour (about 80.5 km/h). Antarctica truly lived up to its reputation as the coldest, windiest, and driest place on earth.

Donna Urquhart ran close to 900 miles in Antarctica between December and January.

Donna Urquhart ran close to 900 miles in Antarctica between December and January.

Rhys Newsome

Urquhart reflects on breaking the record, which she named Run Antarctica, as a whirlwind of emotions. She felt a mix of happiness, relief, and a touch of tears. However, the overwhelming feeling she experienced was pride in herself and her team for their accomplishment.

It was a challenging journey to Antarctica, with uncertainties about funding and logistics looming over us.

Australian Urquhart, based in Melbourne, is not only a seasoned ultramarathon runner but also a dedicated researcher and scientist.

She is known for her research on the connection between pain and endurance sports, with some calling her a "pain scientist." She has personally experienced the draining discomfort that ultramarathon runners often face.

However, running on Union Glacier in Antarctica presented Urquhart with a completely new challenge, especially for someone accustomed to Australia's sunny climate and sandy shores.

“No female had attempted this before,” she says, “so that was certainly intriguing for me to be exploring untouched opportunities.”

Urquhart marks setting a world record for the longest-ever run in a polar region.

Urquhart marks setting a world record for the longest-ever run in a polar region.

Rhys Newsome

Urquhart was captivated by Antarctica's pristine scenery, describing it as beautiful, vast, and completely untouched. She devoted 10 months to getting ready for the expedition, incorporating some unique training techniques.

One container company permitted her to install a treadmill in a refrigerated storage unit, where she would run for three to four hours in below-freezing temperatures every weekend. Additionally, she teamed up with an automotive parts company to practice inside an industrial wind tunnel.

"We discovered that traveling at speeds exceeding 80 kilometers per hour, which is roughly 50 mph, can be extremely hazardous and chilly," mentioned Urquhart.

"The experience was quite enlightening. We also gained an understanding of how intense cold can be, but when cold temperatures are accompanied by strong winds, it adds another level of challenge. The wind has a way of making the temperature feel even lower."

On her lighter training days, she would go for runs along the beaches in Melbourne, hoping that the bumpy surface would help her prepare for the different terrain in Antarctica.

This turned out to be a smart move: Urquhart frequently tripped and fell in the snow, and her feet would ache from running over 30 miles (around 48 kilometers) daily. Even after two weeks, she still had significant swelling in the soft tissue of her feet.

Urquhart said that she felt "emotional and teary" after running more than 30 miles a day for 28 days in Antarctica.

Urquhart said that she felt "emotional and teary" after running more than 30 miles a day for 28 days in Antarctica.

Rhys Newsome

Urquhart encountered numerous challenges during her time in Antarctica. She consumed around 5,000 calories daily, consisting of powders, gels, sports bars, and dehydrated food she brought with her, along with meals available at the Union Glacier camp.

Accommodation was a two-person tent that she shared with her husband during their stay. However, the 24 hours of sunlight in the summer months on the continent, along with the howling winds, made it difficult to get a good night's sleep.

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Russ Cook has asked his fans for help as he struggles with visa issues.

Guus Van Veen

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Urquhart made sure to dress appropriately for her runs. She typically wore four layers - two thermal tops, a fleece, and a windbreaker jacket. However, she had to be mindful of her body temperature during her runs.

She emphasized the importance of not getting too cold to avoid hypothermia and frostbite. Additionally, she pointed out the significance of not getting too hot while running.

If you start feeling too hot, your body will start sweating. Sweat can make you feel really cold, and in some cases, it can even freeze on your skin. This can eventually lead to hypothermia.

Fortunately, Urquhart’s body quickly adjusted to running over 30 miles every day. She never grew tired of running the same 10-kilometer route, finding it to be almost therapeutic.

She says she enjoyed the familiarity in the unfamiliar world of being in a polar region that constantly changes. It was quite comforting to her.

Ultrarunners quickly acquire the skill of finding comfort in the face of hardship and struggle. In a sport that demands resilience to overcome pain and mental toughness to conquer physical challenges.

Urquhart launched the Run Antarctica challenge to empower more girls to take up sport.

Urquhart launched the Run Antarctica challenge to empower more girls to take up sport.

Rhys Newsome

Urquhart finds it fascinating how something as profound and special can also be incredibly tough. Antarctica, he says, is like a two-edged sword - it is both beautiful and brutal at the same time.

Urquhart is currently unsure about her next running challenge, but in the meantime, she is focused on empowering more girls to get involved in sports.

She launched Run Antarctica with the goal of making sporting environments less stressful and intimidating for young women. Her target is to raise 1.5 million Australian dollars (about $990,000) for charity.

"Urquhart believes that confidence is a significant issue for women. Many women struggle with feeling self-conscious and body image issues. Being in a sporting environment offers a valuable chance to develop various skills, including physical, mental, and resilient skills.

This inspiration played a key role in her groundbreaking run in Antarctica, where she bravely took on a challenge that no other woman had ever attempted before."

Urquhart expresses, "It was a demonstration of the capabilities of females and how we can exceed our boundaries, exploring the realms of possibility."

What better method to showcase this than by continuously running mile after mile in one of the harshest and most unwelcoming environments on the planet.

Editor's P/S:

Donna Urquhart's record-breaking run in Antarctica is a testament to her resilience and determination. Despite facing extreme weather conditions and challenging terrain, she persevered and achieved her goal. Her journey highlights the importance of mental toughness and the ability to overcome adversity. Urquhart's accomplishment is not only a personal triumph but also an inspiration to others, particularly young women, to pursue their dreams and push their limits.

Moreover, Urquhart's Run Antarctica challenge serves a noble purpose beyond personal achievement. By raising funds for charity and promoting sports participation among girls, she aims to create a more inclusive and empowering environment for women in sports. Her efforts will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the lives of countless young women, helping them develop confidence, resilience, and a lifelong love for physical activity.