Beyond Radio presenter to run Arctic half marathon near North Pole

An intrepid Beyond Radio presenter known for taking on tough challenges is preparing to run the Arctic half marathon in sub zero temperatures.

Phil McGrath will take part in the most northerly half marathon in the world this Saturday, running across ice and snow in freezing conditions.

Phil, his wife Diane and friends Lotta and Janet are in Svalbard, an archipelago between mainland Norway and the North Pole.

Runners from all over the world gather in the small town of Longyearbyen on the first weekend of June each year for the Spitsbergen Marathon and Half Marathon.

It is the only race in the world with armed guards looking out for dangerous polar bears.

LISTEN to Phil McGrath talking about the Arctic Half Marathon

The race takes place at 78 degrees north in the Arctic wilderness surrounded by fjords and mountains, 

Longyearbyen is a small community, with around 2300 inhabitants.

Explaining why he decided to take on the challenge, Phil said: "It was a mad conversation, somebody said it was on their bucket list, and we said we'll be up for that."

The popular presenter of The Quick Draw Radio Show on Beyond Radio, who works for Citizens Advice North Lancashire, is raising funds for the charity to help people who have been diagnosed with cancer.

Citizens Advice's trained advisers give free, confidential, and independent support — helping people living with cancer to focus on their health instead of drowning in stress about paperwork, debt, or job security.

Phil and Diane also recently ran the Reverse London Marathon, held the night before the main race, then were volunteers at the marathon itself.

Last year he completed a '60 Before 60 Challenge' to do 60 things he'd always wanted to before his 60th birthday in 2025, after himself being diagnosed with cancer.

In fact, he went on to achieve more than 110 activities - and is still going!

If you would like to donate to Phil's Just Giving page you can find it HERE.

Read more: Beyond Radio presenter achieves his '60 Before 60 Challenge'...and keeps going! - Beyond Radio