Midnight Sun Marathon
TromsÃ, Norway · Saturday 22 June 2024
Tromsø, located in northern Norway well above the Arctic Circle, provides an extraordinary backdrop for this June marathon. At this time of year, the region experiences the midnight sun phenomenon, where daylight persists around the clock. The landscape is distinctly Arctic, with mountains rising from the coast and the surrounding terrain shaped by the far north's dramatic geography. Runners will find themselves in a place where the normal rhythms of day and night dissolve, creating an otherworldly experience as they race through continuous daylight. The course is a trail marathon that traverses flat to gently rolling terrain with modest elevation changes across the 42.2-kilometre distance. With only 158 metres of total elevation gain spread over the route, the course is never punishing, though the undulating nature of the landscape keeps runners engaged throughout. The trail surface means less pounding than road running, which can be a mercy for the legs, though trail conditions in the Arctic require attention and care with footing. At this latitude and time of year, the primary challenge will be the unusual light and heat management rather than any technical difficulty, making this a marathon where mental toughness and pacing discipline matter as much as fitness.
Difficulty Calculator
h
:m
:s
Adjusted Time
4:35:31
Time difference: +35.5 minutes compared to a flat, road, temperate course.
Course Details
Elevation Gain158m
Elevation High30m
Elevation Low3m
Midnight Sun Marathon 2024 Course Analysis
Midnight Sun Marathon is a full marathon held in TromsÃ, Norway, scheduled for Saturday 22 June 2024. The course is run on trail surface with 158m of total elevation gain, reaching a maximum altitude of 30m above sea level. For registration and full race details, visit the official Midnight Sun Marathon website.
Elevation Profile
With 158m of elevation gain, this is a moderately undulating course. The route ranges from 3m to 30m above sea level (27m total range). While not completely flat, the elevation changes are manageable for most runners and shouldn't significantly impact pacing strategy.
Surface Type: Trail
Midnight Sun Marathon is a trail race, meaning the course includes unpaved surfaces such as dirt, gravel, or forest paths. Trail surfaces are inherently slower than road courses due to uneven footing, technical sections, and often steeper gradients. Trail-specific shoes with good grip are recommended, and runners should expect a finish time 10-20% slower than their equivalent road marathon time.
How Difficult Is Midnight Sun Marathon?
Our difficulty rating for Midnight Sun Marathon is calculated using a model that combines elevation gain, temperature impact, and surface type. Use the difficulty calculator above to enter your target finish time and see exactly how many minutes this course would add or subtract compared to a perfectly flat, cool, road-based marathon. Faster runners and slower runners are affected differently by the same course conditions, so the difficulty is personalised to your pace.
Looking for an easier marathon or a tougher challenge? You can also compare Midnight Sun Marathon against other marathons to find the right race for your goals.
Other Marathons in Norway
Tromsø Midnight Sun Marathon
TromsÃ, Norway
Trail123m gainJune 2023
Jølster Maraton
Vassenden, Norway
Trail266m gainJuly 2023
BMW Oslo Marathon
Oslo, Norway
Trail142m gainSept 2023
Torghatten Marathon
Brønnøy, Norway
Road81m gainApr 2025
Spitsbergen Marathon
Longyearbyen, Norway
Road482m gainJune 2025