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  • Two Runners Jumping in excitement. By Bo Kristensen

Anna’s race against time

This determined woman didn’t let pregnancy or biting temperatures prevent her from fulfilling her dream of running in Greenland.

GREENLAND: A PLACE LIKE NO OTHER

The world’s biggest island is mostly covered in ice. The summers are very short, lasting from June to the end of August. Perhaps because it is so different to my home country, Poland that I’d been dreaming of visiting Greenland for so long.

I’m a very active person so had many ideas of how to experience Greenland: from a summer trip to run an organised marathon in Nuuk, to a winter adventure up near the Arctic circle and running in the Polar Circle Marathon.

Of course, life likes to surprise us and it’s hard to plan things one year in advance.

Since making those plans I met someone who told me on our first date that “I want to go there with you” – a few months later we then decided things were going so well that we wanted to have kids – and then I got pregnant!

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Package Tours

Greenland Tours: Northern Lights & Icebergs

Greenland Tours

Northern Lights & Icebergs

4 days in Ilulissat incl. dog sledding & Northern Lights tour

FROM €830
Arctic Hiking and Expeditions: Winter Skiing in Kulusuk

Arctic Hiking and Expeditions

Winter Skiing in Kulusuk

Kulusuk Island makes a perfect terrain for cross-country skiing, with its mountains and hills and beautiful coastline.

FROM €1,990
Greenland Tours – Frozen West

Greenland Tours

Frozen West

5 days exploring Disko Bay in winter incl. visit to the Greenland Ice Cap

FROM €1,335
Greenland by Topas – Dog Sledding, Igloo Lodge and Northern Lights in Ilulissat

Greenland by Topas

Dog Sledding and Northern Lights in Ilulissat

Sled dogs are in their element under the frosty sky, crackling snow and fluttering Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) of the Greenlandic winter. Overnight stay in Igloo Lodge.

FROM €2,812
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THE RUNNING PROJECT: ‘NICE PERSONAL BEST’

Perhaps a marathon in cold temperatures wasn’t the best idea, but there was no need to give up on the idea completely. We adapted our plans to visit in October, while I could still run at four months pregnant (soon I would become immobile!). We chose two of the most accessible destinations: Kangerlussuaq and Nuuk.

Since we couldn’t take part in any organised races like the Polar Circle Marathon while being pregnant, we created the project “Fajna Zyciowka”. In English this means ‘Nice Personal Best’ and Greenland was the first country we visited to try it. We organised a 7km run in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland. The general principles of the project were:

  • You choose the route.
  • You choose the date of the run.
  • You come up with the name of the run, design the race number and the award.

Strong windy conditions and ‘real-feel’ temperatures of -27°C combined with deep snow, made it a challenge but all in all it was an incredible experience like no other. And while we were at it, we still had the chance to experience what Greenland had to offer.

RUNNING EVENTS IN GREENLAND

  • Greenland is a great place to get active. Here are a few running events you can consider!

  • Kang Nu race

  • Nuuk Mountain Challenge

  • Polar Circle Marathon

  • Nuuk Marathon

ANNA’S TOP 3 DISCOVERIES

SURPRISINGLY DELICIOUS FOOD

In this country where it’s hard to grow anything at all 8 out of 12 months, the cuisine is fascinating. Meat-lovers will be delighted with the new delicacies from muskox burgers, reindeer, lamb and delicious seafood. It’s a bit harder to get fruit and vegetables, but in the bigger cities like Nuuk you can get pretty much everything.

MEETING THE LOCALS

We met lots of native Greenlanders, who gave up so much of their time to show us interesting places and to tell us about their everyday lives in such atypical conditions. They did it all selflessly, with a smile on their face and with a huge amount of kindness.

NORTHERN LIGHTS – A SHOW WITHOUT SPECIAL EFFECTS

The aurora borealis – wow, I’ve got to admit this was the most magical thing I’ve ever seen! Before I came here I was convinced that the pictures of the aurora borealis were all taken with good equipment and special filters, but that’s really how the lights look – no filters, no special effects.

So what is there to do in Greenland? 
Oh boy, a lot, and I hope you get to discover it one day too!

Explore related articles, offers and tour providers:

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By Anna Szczypczynska

Anna Szczypczyńska is a 32-year-old journalist, blogger and runner. She writes for National Geographic Traveler and Be Active, runs blog about healthy lifestyle and loves trail running.

https://visitgreenland.com

Editors' pick

Stella Davidsen Olsen from Kangerlussuaq. Dogsledge musher. Photo by Aningaaq R. Carlsen, Visit Greenland

Know the story of Greenlandic women

Greenlandic women have always played a decisive role in society, and we will highlight them in celebration of International Women’s Day, 8 March.

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Two snowmobilers on pause in Sisimiut. Photo by Kim Insuk - Visit Greenland

Fulfil your winter wishes in April in Greenland

Come and visit Sisimiut in April and enjoy dogsledding, Arctic Sounds, and Arctic Spa that you have been longing for.

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Immersing overwelmed by the surroundings. Photo by Aningaaq Rosing Carlsen - Visit Greenland

Editor’s guide: How to spend 4 days in East Greenland

An occupational hazard as an editor is that I read about and collect the most beautiful bucket list destinations, and East Greenland has long been one of mine.

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Paninnguaq Pikilak. Inuit tattoos. Photo by Aningaaq Rosing Carlsen - Visit Greenland

A guide to Inuit Tattoos in Greenland

Inuit tattoos have had a revival in recent years, with many young people, among others, breathing life into the traditional lines. However, it has deep roots in Inuit communities, both spiritually and culturally.

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