Kiwi and US runners poles apart

JOHN MCCRONE

COOL RUNNING: New Zealand Army engineer Kevin Rolleston takes off in the Annual McMurdo Marathon in Antarctica.

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Running shoes with crampons and "environmentally friendly" pitstops featured in the world's southernmost marathon at Antarctica New Zealand's Scott Base.

The annual McMurdo Marathon attracted about 50 runners – along with a few cross-country skiers – who raced across the Ross Ice shelf yesterday.

Contestants from Scott Base and the neighbouring United States McMurdo Station ran a loop connecting two airfields, Willy's Field and Pegasus.

Weather conditions were ideal – windless and a balmy -3 degrees Celsius.

A few members of the US team sported plastic clip-on running-shoe crampons to ensure grip on the icy surface.

The Kiwis – base staff, technicians and army engineers – took a relaxed approach to the run, which included refreshments (Raro and Gingernuts).

Strict environmental rules meant toilet stops, involved a large-mouthed plastic bottle and a dash behind a nearby truck.

Technician Curtis Moore, from the United States' Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, took Ice honours in three hours, seven minutes.

The Kiwis failed to cover themselves in glory, but continued their unbroken win record in the inter-base rugby match a fortnight ago.

The Ice Blacks trounced McMurdo's Mount Terror Rugby Club 23-0.

- © Fairfax NZ News