Midnight Sun Marathon 2008

Published: 04.07.08

As Omega's group of 20 flew north to experience one of the coldest marathons in the world, we also did like The Beatles and followed the sun. During our flight from Bergen to Tromsø via Oslo we never lost sight of sunlight, and landing in Tromsø at midnight was truly remarkable.

Knut Lunde, Frode Eike and Sigmund Lunde were happy having finished the race.

Some were more tired than others, but the nature was spectacular nonetheless.

On top of Storsteinen, 421 metres above sea level.

Friday, June 20 – First impressions

Our hotel was located right downtown in the capital of Northern Norway, and our taxi driver was awake and nice enough to give us a guided tour around the island and parts of the next day’s marathon course. The preview showed us some of the spectacular nature that the Tromsø area has to offer, impressive even for a Western Norwegian. Do not forget to take a look at our photo gallery to get a glimpse of Tromsø as it presented itself to the runners.

Saturday, June 21 – Ready to race

Falling asleep and waking up with daylight all night is hard enough, but the Omega group actually managed to gather up for a sightseeing around town on Saturday morning. “Fjellheisen”, an aerial cableway from approximately sea level up to the mountain Storsteinen (421 metres above) gives a splendid view of the city and its surroundings, as well as a thrilling ride in midair. The Arctic Cathedral is another must see when in Tromsø. Although it is fairly viewable from almost anywhere around the city, it is well worth a look up close as well.

Having had our share of sightseeing on Saturday afternoon, it was time for the runners to start preparing for the race scheduled to start at 8:30 PM for the full marathon. And what better way to get ready for a race than a nice, wholesome meal? We summoned at Emma’s Dream Kitchen, which was not far from the truth, and we were lucky to get the same room as the Queen when she visits Tromsø. Quite fitting, we thought. Although there were different theories around the room on how to best prepare for a (half-)marathon in terms of food, everyone enjoyed their meals all the way down to the crème brûlée.

The last few hours of getting ready for a long race is simply a matter of collecting energy, so things were quiet around the Omega group before the race started. This time around we had three marathon runners, four in the half-marathon and another nine in the 10 km race. While there was quite a difference in the physical shape of the participants, everyone was able to find a race to suit their capacity. While runners were out and about in Tromsø, the undersigned followed them with the camera, and our photo gallery shows enthusiastic Omega employees in all phases of exhaustion.

Sunday, June 22 – Leaving the North

Gathering up after the races, no one had much energy left and eating and the primary needs of eating and sleeping were the only ones worth fulfilling. Walking around “the Paris of the North” after the marathon was a sight to see, with tired and limping legs as far as the eye could see. Nonetheless, we still had some sightseeing in us. The Sunday was spent visiting more of Tromsø’s attractions, including the Norwegian Polar Institute, aptly placed in the city. Leaving the city of the midnight sun was certainly a bit sad, but we could at least look forward to divided days and nights. Tromsø and the Midnight Sun Marathon is highly recommended city to visit, and a teambuilding as good as they come.