Kothari completes full marathon at 90 degree north pole
On July 13, 2025, Kolkata-born entrepreneur Ram Gopal Kothari became the first Indian to finish a full marathon at the Geographic North Pole, joining a select group of athletes to conquer one of the planet's harshest racecourses.
The North Pole Marathon takes place on drifting sea ice over water three metres deep, under –8°C temperatures, biting winds, and occasional polar bear sightings. In 2025, Kothari — in his debut full marathon — ran alongside participants from around the world.
The journey began in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, aboard the French icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot, navigating to 90°N through solid ice, spotting polar bears, walruses, and blue whales along the way.
Kothari crossed the halfway mark in 2 hours 45 minutes, but from kilometre 28, melting snow turned to slush, soaking his shoes and causing severe cramps. 'I had every reason to stop,' he said. 'But I wasn't just running on ice — I was running on a promise and a belief that India belongs everywhere, even at the top of the world.' He finished in just over eight hours.
Raised in Kolkata's Burrabazar in a modest home, Kothari overcame early financial struggles and a personal crisis in 2012 that nearly claimed his life.
by Taboola
by Taboola
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A call from his wife urging him to live for their children became his turning point.
Now a seasoned traveller, he has visited all seven continents and scaled Kilimanjaro. His next goals: seven marathons on seven continents in seven days, the Seven Summits, and 100 countries by 2027.
'If I can run my first marathon on the toughest terrain on Earth, anyone can take that first step,' he said.
Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
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