World Marathon Challenge

The Antarctica Intercontinental Marathon will take place at Novo’s aircraft ice runway on January 31st. The event is on a route that consists of eight loops of the 5.25 km perimeter of the runway.

Cape Town is a port city on South Africa’s southwest coast, on a peninsula beneath the imposing Table Mountain. Slowly rotating cable cars climb to the mountain’s flat top, from which there are sweeping views of the city, the busy harbor and boats heading for Robben Island, the notorious prison that once held Nelson Mandela, which is now a living museum.

Perth, capital of Western Australia with a population of two million, sits where the Swan River meets the southwest coast. Sandy beaches line its suburbs, and the huge, riverside Kings Park and Botanic Garden on Mt. Eliza offer sweeping views of the city. The Perth Cultural Centre houses the state ballet and opera companies, and occupies its own central precinct, including a theatre, art galleries and the Western Australian Museum.

The fourth marathon of the World Marathon Challenge takes place in Dubai, the most populous city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The City is located on the southeast coast of the Persian Gulf and is one of the seven emirates that makes up the UAE. Dubai is regarded as a cosmopolitan metropolis and is firmly established as a business hub for the Middle East. Historically its economy was largely driven by oil production but in more recent years the focus has moved to tourism, aviation, real estate and financial services. The City is also famed for its sky-scrapers and high-rise buildings and in particular the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa.

Madrid, Spain's central capital, is a city of elegant boulevards and expansive, manicured parks such as the Buen Retiro. It’s renowned for its rich repositories of European art, including the Prado Museum’s works by Goya, Velázquez and other Spanish masters. The heart of old Hapsburg Madrid is the portico-lined Plaza Mayor, and nearby is the baroque Royal Palace and Armory, displaying historic weaponry.

Fortaleza is the capital of Ceará, a State of Northeastern Brazil. The city lies at the mouth of the Pajeú River on a crescent-shaped indentation of the coastline. Fortaleza originated as a small village adjoining a Portuguese fort (built as a defense against Indian attacks). It took the name of Villa do Forte da Assumpção in 1654. In 1810 it became the capital of Ceará captaincy and in 1823 was given city status and became the provincial (later state) capital under the name of Fortaleza Nova de Bragança. The city has a modern appearance with wide avenues. Its harbour, long an open roadstead, has been protected and greatly improved by construction of a breakwater with port facilities at Mucuripe Point, 4 miles (6 km) to the east.With more than 30 km of beaches, the city offers various leisure options, such as museums, theaters, crafts, cuisine, in addition to an intense nightlife.

Miami is an international city at Florida's southeastern tip. Its Cuban influence is reflected in the cafes and cigar shops that line Calle Ocho in Little Havana. On barrier islands across the turquoise waters of Biscayne Bay is Miami Beach, home to South Beach. This glamorous neighborhood is famed for its colorful art deco buildings, white sand, surfside hotels and trendsetting nightclubs.