Northwest Passage Marathon

The Northwest Passage Marathon is North America’s most northerly marathon. This is a true wilderness route. The 55 km course leaves Arctic Watch, goes north along the shore of the Cunningham Inlet for 10 km to Polar Bear point. The runners turn west and go beside the famed Northwest Passage for the next 18 km.

The trail follows a series of old raised beaches of sandstone pebbles. There are icebergs on the water and ancient encampments on the shore. In 2005, runners saw dozens of beluga whales, and many seals. In 2007, runners saw polar bears. At Cape Marie, all runners wade the Marie River (maximum knee deep), then turn south and inland along the Red Valley (so named for the red stone and soil). Muskox sightings in this area are common.

The trail then swings back east, climbs gently over a height of land before dropping back down towards the Cunningham River. The final couple of kilometers are along the Cunningham back to Arctic Watch.

The marathon course starts on the Northwest Passage at Polar Bear Point, the 10 kilometer mark (approximately) of the Ultra course and finishes at Arctic Watch Lodge.

This is a rough trail run with no roads. The trail is marked with Inukshuks and flags. The surface is generally smooth and covered with pebble sized rocks. There are some shallow creek crossings.