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• The 7 marathons are scheduled to take place at Novo, Cape Town, Perth, Dubai, Madrid, Fortaleza and Miami.
• Participants are required to run the classic marathon distance of 42.2km (26.2 miles)  at each of the seven locations to complete the overall World Marathon Challenge. There is also a half-marathon option.
• A time limit of 8 hours is imposed on each marathon, which can be altered at the discretion of the race director.
• Individual results of each of the 7 marathons will be categorised into male and female categories.
• The male and female with the fastest combined / average marathon times will be declared the outright winners of the World Marathon Challenge 2026.
• There will also be a team competition in the 2026 World Marathon Challenge®. The fastest combined marathon times of the top three team scorers, who finish all seven marathons, will be declared the winners. Teams can be composed of more than three people but must have both male and female runners amongst their scoring three.
• If you are part of a team, you are automatically included in the individual category / competition.
• Any athlete who exhibits severe conditions that are deemed detrimental to their health may be withdrawn from the race by officials or stopped temporarily while appropriate treatment and advice is administered.
• The Event Director's decisions are final.

Your submission of the registration form accepts the Description and Rules & Regulations as outlined above. The overall fee is $49,500 USD, but the price is reduced to $48,000 USD if making one full payment. An installment payment option requires an initial deposit of $16,500 USD to reserve a place in the race field. Two further payments of $16,500 USD are required at later dates. See Terms & Conditions for details.

You must;

1. Fill in the Application Form
2. Click Register for the 2026 World Marathon Challenge®
3. Agree to the Terms & Conditions
4. Make the relevant payment when contacted in order to confirm your place
5. Later:  Complete and return standard forms for entering Antarctica as required by logistics company - a basic medical information form, personal information form, waiver form, and terms & conditions form

The 2026 World Marathon Challenge® is scheduled to begin on January 31st 2026. Please proceed to the terms and conditions to see details of the trip.

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Event

The 2026 World Marathon Challenge® offers the opportunity to run 7 Marathons on 7 Continents in 7 Days.

2026 Schedule & Destinations

DATE          ACTIVITY

‍Jan 28        Latest  Arrival at Cape Town, South Africa

Jan 29        Race Director Briefing

Jan 30        Pre-Departure Briefing

Jan 31         Marathon in Antarctica

Feb 1           Marathon in Cape Town

Feb 2          Marathon in Perth

Feb 3          Marathon in Dubai

Feb 4          Marathon in Madrid

Feb 5          Marathon in Fortaleza

Feb 6          Marathon in Miami

* Every effort will be made to keep to the scheduled departure and end date, but all flights are subject to weather, aircraft serviceability and local conditions.

Entry Fee

The entry fee of $49,500 USD ($48,000 USD if paying in full upon registration) includes

• Flight by specialist jet from Cape Town to Ultima Base, Antarctica - the location of the first marathon.
• Professionally organized marathon events at Ultima Base, Cape Town, Perth, Dubai, Madrid, Fortaleza and Miami.
• International charter flights to each of the marathon locations.
• Contingency plans and arrangements to cater for weather delays in Antarctica to meet a 7-day schedule.
• Accommodation in Dubai or Madrid if feasible during the trip
• Meals provided on charter flights
• Aid / Food / Drinks stations at each event as per any standard marathon
• Medical support throughout the trip.
• Shower facilities at each location except Antarctica
• Professional video footage and photos of the World Marathon Challenge for personal / private use.
• Medals, t-shirts, souvenirs and merchandise related to the World Marathon Challenge

*Please note: The entry fee does NOT include flights from your homeland to Cape Town, accommodation in Cape Town, or your flight home from Miami at the end of the Challenge. Participants are also responsible for their own food outside of charter flights.

All participants should be in excellent health and capable of completing the World Marathon Challenge® and have appropriate clothing including antarctic wear. Please consult with your doctor before entering the 2026 World Marathon Challenge®.

FUEL PRICE INCREASE SURCHARGE

‍Should the cost of fuel to increase by more than 7% between May 1st 2025 and the actual date of departure of the 2026 World Marathon Challenge, Runbuk shall be entitled to charge participants a fuel price increase surcharge.

Payment Schedule

A one-off payment of $48,000 USD to firmly secure place will be accepted upon initial registration. Alternatively, a $16,500 USD deposit to reserve a place will be accepted. This deposit should be followed by two additional installment payments of $16,500 payable by January 31, 2025 and June 30, 2025.

Payment Options

The preferred method of payment is by bank wire transfer. Please contact Oliver Wang at oliver@runbuk.com for the relevant bank details. All bank transfer costs should be paid by the sender.

Cancellations:

• Cancellations before January 30, 2025, will incur a charge of $1,000 USD.
• Cancellations from January 31, 2025, to June 30, 2025, will incur a charge of $33,000 USD.
• Cancellations after June 30, 2025, will incur a charge of the full entry fee.

Please note: It is recommended to obtain trip cancellation insurance in case you need to cancel your trip through unforeseen circumstances. In the event of withdrawal by a participant, however, every effort will be made to find a replacement competitor rather than charge any fee. A withdrawing competitor may also directly transfer his or her place to another person, but we will not undertake to transfer your entry to a future year.

Required Documents

No visa is required for Antarctica. However, participants must have a valid passport that remains valid beyond their date of return (in some cases, passports are required to be valid for at least six months beyond the date of return), and they must obtain the appropriate visa documents (if required by their nationality) for all other destinations on the trip: South Africa, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Spain, Brazil, and the USA. The organizers will assist in providing any necessary supporting documentation for visas upon request. Participants will also need to adhere to health policies regarding COVID-19 or other infectious diseases for each destination, which may include providing vaccination certificates and PCR test results.

Trip Cancellation / Travel / Medical Insurance

Each participant is responsible for their own insurance to cover trip cancellation and interruption. For example, you may get injured and need to cancel your trip. Furthermore, weather-related delays and other delays can occur in such an extreme environment and the organizers cannot be held responsible for such disruption. Participants are responsible for their own travel / medical insurance for the World Marathon Challenge® trip in case of a medical emergency or otherwise.

Baggage Weight

There are limits to how much baggage each participant can bring. The baggage allowance traveling  to Antarctica is 25kg. The standard business class baggage allowance is 2 x 23kg.

Use of Image

I understand that during the World Marathon Challenge® or in related activities, I may be photographed, filmed, and/or videotaped. I agree to allow my name, photo, video or film likeness to be used for any legitimate promotional purpose by the event holders, producers, sponsors, organizers and assigns.

Insurance

I certify that I will have adequate insurance to cover unanticipated trip cancellation /interruption, and any injury or damage that may occur on the trip, or which I may suffer while participating, or else I agree to bear the costs of such injury or damage myself and do not hold the organizers responsible for same.

Voluntary Participation and Assumption of Risk

I acknowledge that I have voluntarily applied to participate in the 2026 World Marathon Challenge® and that I have carefully read and understand the description, terms, conditions and recommendations of the expedition. I am participating in this trip with full knowledge of the hazards involved in such an endeavor. I also realize that the dates of the trip and locations may change from those specified on this form.

I also understand that Runbuk, Inc. works with a specialist polar logistics company in the organization of the marathon in Antarctica and that I may be required to complete their standard polar travel forms and agree to their conditions.

I understand that Antarctica is the most remote and one of the most inhospitable and undeveloped regions of the planet. Logistics problems are enormous, the weather ferocious and unpredictable. Delays of days or even weeks must be anticipated.

I understand that the risks of traveling and competing in the Antarctic include, without limitation, extreme weather conditions can change rapidly and without warning; that temperatures in January at Novo can fall below -40 degrees Celsius, with wind chills even lower; that bad weather and aircraft malfunction could strand the expedition for many days; that prolonged exposure to the Antarctic environment can even cause loss of fingers, toes, and body parts due to frostbite, or loss of life due to hypothermia, dehydration and other means.

Furthermore I understand that participating in physical activities such as running in the Antarctic area may, in a worst-case scenario, place me at risk of death from the frigid conditions. I fully understand that I am in a remote region devoid of many medical supplies and facilities, as well as rapid evacuation capabilities.

In consideration of being permitted to participate in this trip, I fully assume responsibility upon myself for such bodily, mental, and financial injuries caused by, but not limited to various surface transportation, accidents, aircraft malfunctions, hazards of traveling in the Antarctic environment, forces of nature, civil unrest, terrorism, and other perils. I  freely assume these and all other risks inherent in this Antarctic Expedition, in exchange for the thrill and adventure of traveling to Antarctica.

Furthermore, I understand that I will undoubtedly suffer from a combination of marathon fatigue, jet lag and sleep deprivation as the event progresses onto the other six continents, all of which may have adverse consequences on my health. The impact of wide temperature fluctuations will also be a factor in impacting my health, with a possible variation of 50 Degrees Celsius at minimum. I fully assume responsibility upon myself for these potential adverse health impacts as well as any bodily, mental, and financial injuries caused by, but not limited to various surface transportation, accidents, aircraft malfunctions, hazards of traveling, forces of nature, delays, civil unrest, terrorism, theft, and other perils.

In addition, I am aware that the exact marathon locations and dates may change from those currently outlined in the itinerary.

I understand the 2026 World Marathon Challenge is unique and without comparison to other logistical and physical challenges and there is a real risk the event may not conclude within seven days and will not hold the organizers responsible for same..

I hereby assume all risks, including those mentioned above, as a result of my participation in the 2026 World Marathon Challenge.

Release from Liability

In consideration of the services of Runbuk, Inc, agents, owners, officers, volunteers, participants, employees, sponsors, medical personnel and all other persons, or entities acting in any capacity on their behalf: I hereby agree to release, indemnify, and discharge them, on behalf of myself, my children, my parents, my heirs, assigns, personal representatives and estate as follows:

I release Runbuk, Inc. (Burlingame CA USA) and all of its agents, representatives and other entities acting on their behalf from any and all liability, actions, causes of actions, suits, debts, and demands that I may have for bodily injury, death, or property damage, loss of income, delays and claims of every sort and nature whatsoever which may arise out of or in connection with my participation in the 2026 World Marathon Challenge®.

Responsibility

Runbuk, Inc. reserves the right to cancel the 2026 World Marathon Challenge® if it does not reach a minimum level of participants to make it economically feasible to operate. The refund of all monies received will be the limit of our liability. We will not be liable for other costs incurred by you in preparing for the trip. In the event of a late cancellation of the race due to unforeseen circumstances, Runbuk, Inc. agrees to provide the same trip at the next possible opportunity at no additional cost to the competitor.

Governing Law and Jurisdiction

The validity, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed in accordance with the laws of California, USA. The parties hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of California USA as regards any claim, dispute, or matter arising out of, or in connection with this Agreement.

Signature

I have carefully read and understand the description, terms, conditions and recommendations of the 2026 World Marathon Challenge® and I am participating with a thorough knowledge of the hazards involved. I freely and voluntarily agree to the terms and conditions of the 2026 World Marathon Challenge® by signing this contract.