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South African Women Make History at North Pole Marathon

Leonie Stander Delport and Sonja Viljoen Stall, both doctors from Kroonstad, have successfully completed the challenging #NorthPoleMarathon… and thus joined the #GrandSlamClub, making history as the first South African female athletes to become Associate Members of the prestigious Club! After completing the North Pole Marathon this weekend, the two South African friends – who have worked together […]

Leonie Stander Delport and Sonja Viljoen Stall, both doctors from Kroonstad, have successfully completed the challenging #NorthPoleMarathon… and thus joined the #GrandSlamClub, making history as the first South African female athletes to become Associate Members of the prestigious Club!

North Pole marathon plane
Doctors, friends and record makers! Source: FB/Marlize Stander

After completing the North Pole Marathon this weekend, the two South African friends – who have worked together for 25 years – were eligible for the Grand Slam Club… having completed a marathon on all seven continents PLUS the North Pole!

The two women, who are both 50, finished the marathon in joint eighth place, in 7 hours, 32 minutes and 28 seconds.

Leonie jokingly wrote on her Facebook status: “North Pole Marathon and Grand Slam done and dusted. Next: the Moon.” (It’s no surprise to discover her motto is ‘life is too short to do the same thing twice’.)

North Pole Marathon
Source: FB/Marlize Stander (Check the South African flag on the top right.)

This year’s North Pole Marathon (NPM) attracted 52 competitors – of whom 21 were women – from 21 countries and six continents.

Nicknamed the ‘World’s Coolest Marathon’, it occurs at a time in the North Pole – in April – when there is continuous daylight. The 42.195 km race is run ‘on’ water – the frozen ice floes of the Arctic Ocean. Using long range Russian choppers, paratroppers find the most suitable ice floe and then tractors and fuel are parachuted in to build the runway.

North Pole Marathon
The contestants. Source: FB/Marlize Stander

Leonie said today on social media: “NPM was like running a full marathon on the beach with very loose sand, in full scuba gear, the last 8 km through quick sand – all in polar conditions. Then again, nobody said it would be easy.”

According to the NPMarathon website, polar bear guards marshalled the route to ensure the safety of runners!

Leonie first heard about the NPM in 2012 when her brother told her about a friend pursuing a ‘mad’ dream of becoming a member of the prestigious Grand Slam Marathon Club. Leonie was hooked and found the perfect ‘partner in crime’ with her adrenaline junkie friend, Sonja Viljoen.

North Pole marathon
Source: FB/Marlize Stander

Sonja, a proud South African, says: “I don’t run because I love the feeling of running, I run because I love the feeling of living”.