In 2001, safety concerns prevented the zodiac boats from transporting race participants from the ship to the shore.
[3] The annual marathon is free and is open to employees and grantees of the United States Antarctic Program, United States Air Force personnel on duty at McMurdo Station, as well as Kiwis from New Zealand's nearby research station, Scott Base.
[4] In January 2015, McMurdo Station hosted possibly the first known Ultra Marathon over 48 km (30 mi)[5] on the continent.
[3] The South Pole has also witnessed runners braving conditions to complete a full 42.195 km (26 mi 385 yd) race.
The South Pole is possibly the first known location of an ultramarathon on the continent, when defining an Ultra as any race greater in length than a marathon.