Australian Catherine Drysdale Makes History at Antarctic Ice Marathon

Australian athlete Catherine Drysdale has won the Antarctic Ice Marathon, becoming the first woman to take the title in the race's 20-year history. She completed the 42.4-kilometre race in freezing temperatures and strong winds near the South Pole on December 15, 2025, with a time of 6 hours and 30 minutes. Drysdale's historic victory was met with excitement and admiration from her fellow competitors and organizers. "I'm absolutely thrilled to be the first woman to win the Antarctic Ice Marathon," Drysdale said in a post-race interview. "It's been a dream of mine for years, and to finally achieve it is just incredible." The Australian athlete credited her rigorous training and mental toughness for her success, saying, "I knew it was going to be a tough day, but I was determined to push through the pain and give it my all." The Antarctic Ice Marathon is a grueling event that takes place on the frozen terrain of Antarctica, with competitors facing temperatures as low as -40 degrees Celsius and winds of up to 100 km/h. The race has a reputation for being one of the toughest in the world, with only a handful of athletes completing it each year. Drysdale's achievement is a testament to her endurance and determination, and she joins an elite group of athletes who have conquered the challenging course. Drysdale's victory marks a milestone in the history of the Antarctic Ice Marathon, which was first held in 2005. The event has attracted athletes from around the world, but until now, no woman had managed to complete the course and take the title. Drysdale's achievement is a significant moment for women's endurance sports, and it is likely to inspire a new generation of female athletes to take on the challenge. As for what's next for Drysdale, she plans to continue competing in endurance events and pushing the boundaries of what is possible for women in sports. "I'm already looking forward to my next challenge," she said. "I want to keep pushing myself and seeing how far I can go." With her historic victory in the Antarctic Ice Marathon, Catherine Drysdale has cemented her place as one of the top endurance athletes in the world.