Customer Reviews

The Coolest Race on Earth: Mud, Madmen, Glaciers, and Grannies at the Antarctica Marathon

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The title The Coolest Race on Earth: Mud, Madmen, Glaciers, and Grannies at the Antarctica Marathon was intriguing to me. What would possess seemingly sane people to choose this endeavor? John Hanc explains all in this amusing and inspiring tale.

The earlier chapters include a respectful history of marathons and Antarctica exploration highlighting the people who made it happen. You can't help but admire the courage of Scott, Crean, Amundsen and all those early 20th Century explorers.

How will the runners get there? What will they eat? How cold will it be? Do they really need the Home Depot boots? John entertains you detailing all the necessities the runners must bring to participate in the Antarctica Marathon.

All the event organizers, participants and ships's crew are profiled in a way that enables you to like them and cheer them to the finish line. Will Mr. Tan get stuck in the mud? Will the author regret his decision to forego the Gatorade? Will the birds dive-bomb the runners?

The startling photos of Antarctica, taken by amateurs and professionals help you visualize the bleak landscape and the hearty group of participants who ran the marathon.

Although I am not a runner and never intend to be, I enjoyed the look into the psyche and world of the marathon runner. A truly enjoyable book from cover to cover.

Hanc weaves together the history of Antarctic exploration, the running boom of the seventies as exemplified by the Greater Boston Track Club, the founding of the Antarctica Marathon, and his participation in the event in 2005. Perhaps the story would have been more appealing if it had been more descriptive of the 2005 event and less so of the historical Antarctic explorations. However, Hanc does write in his author's note: "...a few moments--come to think of it, maybe even a few miles--of the Antarctica Marathon itself [have been] left a big vague or unaccounted for because I was delirious with pain."

I was knocked out by what I saw in the Appendix, of all places. Here, the author lists the results of the 2005 Antarctica Half Marathon. Typically names, ages and finishing times don't draw emotion, and William Tan's taking almost six hrs. to complete 13.1 miles would hardly be considered extraordinary. Knowing, however, what preceded his finish -- who he was and how he got there -- sent Arctic chills. Tan is just one member of Hanc's very real cast that moves the author through his own race and through the book. I laughed, too, seeing Hanc's story, since, outside the pain of 19 earlier races, he was otherwise "pampered" until his 10 days bunking aboard the Vavilov. Shopping a big box hardware store for boots that stand up to penguin dung and hitting the floor after missing a ladder rung as he tries to climb down from bed to use the bathroom are the tip of the iceberg. Hanc's writing, despite his experience in the sport, is anything but pleased with self. Anyone who makes it to the STARTing line of a race this remote, though, has every right to be.

The Coolest Race on Earth: Mud, Madmen, Glaciers, and Grannies at the Antarctica Marathon I ran the the first Antarctic Marathon in 1995 as chronicled in this book and know many of those who have done the subsequent races. The book accurately describes the experience and does a wonderful job of going beyond the running aspect and speaks to the very special place Antarctica is and how it affects those who go there. An inspirational book for all runners. It is a testimony to ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

I've read this book twice; once while still hoping to get off the waiting list for the race, the second time, after 3 years on that list, while counting down the weeks to the event. Gathering information is one of the ways to prepare for a race. John Hanc's book is full of information, history, tales of inspiration and practical advice. I'm sure that taking what it says to heart will make my upcoming Antarctica Marathon a successful event. It is probably a good book to give to all my family members who are seriously questioning my sanity!

I haven't read the book but wanted to respond to a comment made during a radio interview with the author. Although the 2005 Antarctica Marathon might have been very muddy, the 2003 Antarctica Marthon was far from it as it was run in 20 degree weather (very windy to boot). I could have only hoped for Global Warming that day.

Anyway, the trip was indeed a great adventure!