With temperatures below -30 C the North Pole Marathon is known as the 'coolest' marathon on earth.

Newport-based businessman and adventurer, marathon man Gary Parker, competed in the annual event which takes place at or near the North Pole each year despite the threat of Polar bears, soft snow conditions and extreme temperatures.

Gary, who lives in Monmouthshire, completed the gruelling event in 22nd place after 48 started the race.

He said: “I was happy with that and just glad to finish it in reasonable style.

“Polar bears had been sighted in the days leading up to the race so we knew they were around but there were half a dozen polar bear guards with rifles on the course so I got some comfort from that.

“The race conditions were really tough with about 25 per cent on reasonably stable snow and ice and the other 75 per cent really challenging ranging from ankle to knee depth snow. Now and then you would hit a hole or really soft bit with the inevitable fall that followed.

“At one point I had to stop and get into the medic tent for about half an hour as I was developing frost nip on my cheek and nose. You really can’t leave your skin exposed at all.”

There is no permanent base at the North Pole unlike the South Pole.

A Russian team set up the camp for about a month each year and is built on only two metres of ice. Two helicopters set off from Siberia with only enough fuel to get to the North Pole. They find a suitable place to set up camp and the course for the race. Then a huge aircraft follows them out and parachutes in supplies, fuel, equipment and a tractor to make a runway. Then the personnel parachute out with the tractor driver on a tandem chute. After the camp is setup then the race team and organisers are flown out from Spitsbergen with fingers crossed for good weather.

“It’s some organisation,” Gary said.

Not one to stand still Gary, who last year swam the English Channel as part of a relay team to raise funds for St David’s Hospice Care, now has his eyes set on the South Pole Marathon but not before setting off to Nepal next month to complete the Everest Marathon, the 'Highest Marathon on Earth'.

When asked why he said “You just learn something about yourself on these challenges.”