Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about Santa. And while I believe his abilities to supply countless children with toys, pilot a sleigh-craft and squeeze his potbelly down a chimney are pretty incredible, I think I’m more amazed by the people who trek to Santa’s home turf each April to run the North Pole Marathon.

What’s the North Pole Marathon? It’s where people run 26.2 miles on the Arctic ice floes that coat the Arctic Ocean — in subzero temperatures. And for some people, it takes a really long time to run a marathon at the North Pole, given the conditions — come on, obviously it’s difficult to run on snow and ice. For example, last year it took a former opera singer from the UK nine and a half hours to complete the marathon. The winner ran it in four and a half. But winners of typical marathons like the New York Marathon usually run 26.2 miles in about two hours — so you can see that the conditions will slow you down.

Temperatures at the 2009 North Pole Marathon were about minus 34 degrees Fahrenheit. According to the Telegraph, participants not only bundled up with three layers of bulky clothing, but had to wear eye goggles to prevent snow blindness, a condition in which the eyes become damaged by the extreme ultraviolet rays mirrored off the ice and snow. Doctors checked on runners periodically to be sure they weren’t suffering from hypothermia or frostbite. And heated tents were available every few miles.

The “frequently asked questions” portion of the North Pole Marathon Web site reveals interested parties’ concerns about the race:

• Polar bear encounters? Unlikely, though race officials have weapons.
• Falling through the 6- to 12-feet-thick ice sheet into the freezing cold abyss of the Arctic Ocean? The route is carefully planned to ensure the ice is solid.

What do you think? Are you going to sign up for this race? Sounds like a New Year’s resolution to me. 

And now — just because I feel like it – I’m leaving you with Otis Redding’s “White Christmas.” Oh my goodness, I love this song. (What’s your favorite holiday song?)