A unique marathon
The Midnight Sun Marathon starts at 9 in the evening in the northernmost town of Norway, Tromsø. Even though you finish around or after midnight, the sun still shines on your face, which makes this such a special marathon.
Years in the making
I had been planning for this event for years, but for several years in a row, COVID made it difficult to get to Norway or the race was postponed. The idea of running under the midnight sun had been on my mind for a long time, and now, in 2023, I finally made it up north. Together with my brother Pieter, who I run all my marathons with, I landed in Tromsø. A short bus ride from the airport took us to our Airbnb. After settling in, we headed into town to visit the marathon expo. The city was alive with runners from all over the world, and you could feel the excitement in the air. Everyone was here for the same reason, sharing the same mix of anticipation and nerves.
Preparing for the race
Race day felt unusual. Most marathons start early in the morning, so the routine is getting up early, having light breakfast and you get to the start energised and pumped. The start of the Midnight Sun Marathon though, is in the evening rather than early in the morning. Running a marathon so late in the day was something new, so we tried to conserve as much energy as possible. We rented a car and drove around, taking in the stunning Norwegian scenery. We spotted reindeer along the roadside and enjoyed the breathtaking landscapes. That’s one of the great things about running races in different places—you get to experience so much more than just the race itself.
Pre-race rituals
A few hours before the start, we had our pre-run meal, which normally would have been breakfast. Eating a meal purely for fuel rather than enjoyment felt strange, but it was necessary. After that, we tried to nap, but sleeping during the day wasn’t easy with sunlight pouring in. Then, it was time to get ready and head to the start line.
The race begins
At 21:00, the gun went off, and the Midnight Sun Marathon in Tromsø began. I started in a group, running at a steady pace of 4:20 per kilometer. The first half went smoothly. The sky was clear, the sun hung low, and it felt surreal to be running at this hour in full daylight. The Midnight Sun Marathon is a truly unique experience. Tromsø, located at 69 degrees north, provides a race setting like no other. Surrounded by the sea and mountains, with the midnight sun illuminating the entire course, it feels almost otherworldly.
The challenge of the second half
At the halfway mark, I felt strong and decided to push my pace to 4:10 per kilometer, aiming for a negative split. It went well—until it didn’t. By kilometer 37, I began to feel the effects of my early acceleration. My legs grew heavy, my breathing became unsteady, and the group I had been running with started to pull away. I fought to keep my rhythm, but my pace dropped further.
The final stretch
The final kilometers were a mental and physical battle, as minutes seemed to last hours and hundred meters felt like a kilometer, but I pushed through. As the finish line came into view, I gave it everything I had left. I crossed in 3:10—a new personal best. Despite the tough finish, I felt immense satisfaction. Pushing limits is what marathons are all about.
Post-race connections
At the finish line, I found the runners of the group I started off with earlier. We complimented each other on finishing the race and we thanked each other for the mental help we gave each other during the run. I am still in touch with the majority of that group through Strava. One of them, a man my age from Paris, I actually reached out to when I went to Paris for work, to meet over coffee and an early morning run through the French capital. Running connects people and easily makes you find friends in strangers, it turned out.
