The Race
The Midnight Sun Marathon is a central-loop course starting and finishing in Tromsø city centre, nearly 70 degrees north and 350 kilometres above the Arctic Circle. The race starts at 8:30 PM; most participants finish after midnight, in continuous daylight. Around 2 kilometres in, the course crosses the Tromsø Bridge, climbing from 6 to 43 metres above the fjord, with the Arctic Cathedral visible across the water at the top. The bridge is recrossed near the 20-kilometre mark, and the second half runs back through the city and along the coastline, largely flat. The race has run since 1990 and drew 1,537 marathon finishers in 2025, part of a record nearly 9,000 runners across all distances that year.
| Distance | 42.195 km |
| Course type | Central loop. Start and finish in Tromsø city centre. Crosses the Tromsø Bridge twice (km 2 and km 20). |
| Certification | AIMS certified |
| Start location | Central Tromsø |
| Finish location | Central Tromsø (Storgata) |
| Elevation gain | Two bridge climbs of 6m to 43m each; otherwise coastal roads |
| Total finishers | 1,537 (2025) |
| Cutoff time | 5 hours 30 minutes |
| Avg race-day temp | 10 to 14°C at sea level, mid-June evening |
| Free race-day transport | Not applicable - central loop course, no start transfer needed |
Not a PB course: the bridge climbs twice, the fjord brings a headwind on any westward-facing stretch, and an 8:30 PM start means dinner is now your race nutrition. Trained well, you will have a solid day. Arriving purely to chase a fast time misreads what this race is for.
Entry
The Midnight Sun Marathon is open entry - no qualifying time, no ballot. Register directly through the official site once entries open. Norway is expensive by European standards, and the entry fee does not include a finisher t-shirt; budget accordingly.
Race Weekend
Getting to Tromsø
There is no rail connection to Tromsø - flying is the only realistic option. Tromsø Airport (TOS) at Langnes is around 5 minutes from the city centre. Direct flights run from Oslo, Stockholm, Copenhagen, and Helsinki, with Oslo the main hub for long-haul connections.
Bib Collection
Bib collection is at the Port Terminal in central Tromsø on race day, between 10:00 AM and 9:00 PM, ahead of the 8:30 PM start. Confirm current-year arrangements at msm.no before travelling.
Race Evening
The race starts at 8:30 PM and most runners finish after midnight, in full daylight - the midnight sun period runs late May to late July in Tromsø. Temperatures typically sit between 10°C and 14°C at sea level; pack layers rather than relying on a single forecast, and bring sunglasses for the genuinely low-angle June sun.
The Finish on Storgata
The course is a central loop, so the finish is back in the heart of Tromsø, near the start. Because the city does not wind down for a midnight finish - restaurants and bars stay open through the short summer night - post-race logistics are unusually relaxed for a finish time well past midnight.
Where to Stay
Tromsø is small enough that naming individual hotels adds little - the useful guidance is simpler than that. Because the course is a central loop, there is no separate start-area/finish-area trade-off to weigh, unlike a point-to-point race. Stay centrally, within walking distance of Storgata (the finish street) and the surrounding city centre, and you are close to everything: the race, bib collection at the Port Terminal, and the restaurants and bars that stay open through the short summer night. Book as early as entries allow - Tromsø has a limited hotel stock for a city its size, and June sits in the heart of the short Arctic tourist season.
See & Do
Tromsø is a compact island city; most of what is worth seeing near the finish is within a short walk or a four-minute cable car ride.
The Arctic Cathedral
A ten-minute walk from the finish. The triangular glass facade faces the Tromsø Bridge directly, which is why it appears in so many race photographs. Completed in 1965; the interior mosaic glass responds to the midnight light in ways worth the visit alone.
Fjellheisen cable car
Four minutes from Solliveien to 421 metres above the city, with extended summer hours. The practical option for a panoramic view when your legs object to climbing anything themselves.
Polaria
The world's northernmost aquarium, with interactive Arctic exhibits. An easy, low-effort half-day for the day after the race.
The Polar Museum
Tromsø's Arctic exploration history, from polar bear hunting to the expeditions of Amundsen and Nansen. A flat, indoor option for recovering legs.
Sommarøy
An island around 77 kilometres west of Tromsø by road, with beaches whose water colour looks edited even before you arrive. Best kept for day two or three once your legs allow a longer trip.
Storgata waterfront
Where most finishers end up after the medal: still open, still serving, behaving as though it is 7 PM regardless of the hour on your watch.
After the Race
Post-race itineraries for Tromsø are still being built - check back, or see the full destination story below for what the city and the surrounding fjords offer beyond race day.
Long Read
Running Out of Darkness: Why the Midnight Sun Marathon Belongs on Your Race Calendar
An 8:30 PM start, a finish after midnight in daylight, and the winter counterpart that runs the same streets in darkness five months later - the full story on the Destinations desk.
Frequently asked questions
Should I stay near the start or the finish?
They are the same place. The course is a central loop starting and finishing in Tromsø city centre, so there is no separate start-area/finish-area decision to make.
How far in advance should I book a hotel?
As early as possible. Tromsø has a limited hotel stock for a city its size, and June falls in the heart of the short Arctic summer tourist season.
Is there free transport to the start?
Not needed. The start is in the city centre, walkable from most central accommodation.
What is the best neighbourhood to stay in?
Central Tromsø, within walking distance of Storgata, the finish street. The city is compact enough that this is the only real decision.
When is bib collection?
At the Port Terminal in central Tromsø on race day, between 10:00 AM and 9:00 PM, ahead of the 8:30 PM start. Confirm current details at msm.no before travelling.
What is the weather like on race evening?
Typically 10 to 14°C at sea level, moderated by the fjord. It has reached 22°C in some years and stayed at 10°C in others - pack layers.
How do I get to Tromsø?
Fly. There is no rail connection. Tromsø Airport (TOS) is about 5 minutes from the centre, with direct flights from Oslo, Stockholm, Copenhagen, and Helsinki.
Is there a bag drop?
The central-loop course means start and finish are in the same area, which simplifies bag logistics. Check msm.no for the current year's arrangements.
Should I bring a throwaway layer?
Useful but not critical - an 8:30 PM June start at 10 to 14°C is mild by marathon standards. A light layer for the pre-race wait is still sensible.
How do I get back to my hotel after finishing?
The finish is central, so most hotels are within walking distance. Because the race finishes after midnight in full daylight, the city is still open when you arrive.