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Andrew Cesare Richardson

When you picture the North Pole, you may think of Christmas or camping under the Northern Lights.
Hong Kong resident David Dudek, however, imagines running 26 miles (42km) in sub-zero temperatures.
The 57-year-old hopes to finally take on the North Pole Marathon on Monday after six previous attempts were thwarted.
“In 2019, I went in a Ukrainian plane, which the Russian airspace would not allow to land on its runway,” Dudek said. “The next three years were cancelled because of Covid, the runway broke up in 2023 and last year Russia cancelled it again.”
But Dudek, who was born in Detroit and moved to Hong Kong 10 years ago, is hoping for lucky No 7 as he embarks on an epic journey.

“This year I’m taking a boat,” he said. “I flew to Paris on July 4, then myself and the other runners had a chartered flight to Longyearbyen in Svalbard – an island at the very top of Norway.
“On July 7, we set off on a five-day sail, where the ship docks on an ice floe and we do loops for 42km.”
Usually in preparation for marathons, those taking part equip themselves with the best running shoes and light clothing – but that’s not the case in the sub-zero temperatures of the North Pole.
“I have waterproof, high-ankle snowcross shoes to avoid melting ice getting in,” Dudek said. “I’ll also wear tights and an outer layer for my legs, woollen socks, balaclavas and a hat.
“I have a layering system with zippers to regulate the temperature, because you want to avoid sweating when you’re in the cold.”
Rehydration is also different in the snow.
“They will have water stops to avoid using a CamelBak, which would probably freeze,” he said. “I’ll bring electrolytes, salt tablets and nutritional bars from Hong Kong.
“As it’s summer, it will probably only be about -10 or -15 Celsius [14 or 5 degrees Fahrenheit]. In April it can get to -40C.”
A passionate runner, Dudek has taken on some of the most scenic challenges in the world.
“My favourite was the 100km in Antarctica,” he said. “Last year I did the Mount Everest Marathon, where you hike up to Base Camp then run down.

“I’ve done an ultra-marathon in Iceland. One a lot of people from my home country wouldn’t do is the North Korea Marathon: finishing in a stadium with 60,000 cheering fans. I’ve done the Two Oceans Marathon in South Africa, the Inner Mongolia, Great Wall Marathon in China, Bagan Temple Marathon in Myanmar and many, many races in Hong Kong. Usually I try to do a few a year.”
Now based in Wan Chai, Dudek has worked all around the world in his career in supply chain and said it was running specifically that attracted him to Hong Kong.
“I lived in quite a few countries,” he said. “I had 13 international moves: I lived in Australia, Singapore a few times, Shanghai three times, Beijing, the Netherlands and a very short time in Switzerland.
“I had the opportunity to move back to Asia and I asked to move to Hong Kong because I’m a trail runner.”
Dudek is passionate not only about running but also about the beauty of Hong Kong’s trails, and he hoped his journeys would inspire others in the city.
“There are many great runners in Hong Kong,” he said. “We have a very special place for trail running.
“There are amazing athletes who may not get the opportunity to travel, and I hope I can inspire some to go to new places so they can enjoy trails outside Hong Kong as well.”
So, following the North Pole trip, will Dudek take some time to recover?
“Once that’s over, I start preparing for an August mountain run in Quito, Ecuador,” he said.


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David Dudek took on the Everest Marathon in 2024 and will finally tackle the sub-zero North Pole Marathon. Photo: Handout

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David Dudek (third from left) takes on the Inner Mongolia Marathon. Photo: Handout

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Outdoor

Trail Running

Wan Chai resident David Dudek is hoping for lucky No 7 after past attempts were thwarted by Russia, Covid-19 and a collapsing runway


Wan Chai resident David Dudek is hoping for lucky No 7 after past attempts were thwarted by Russia, Covid-19 and a collapsing runway.


After Everest and Great Wall, marathon-loving Hongkonger tackles North Pole

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Wan Chai resident David Dudek is hoping for lucky No 7 after past attempts were thwarted by Russia, Covid-19 and a collapsing runway

Wan Chai resident David Dudek is hoping for lucky No 7 after past attempts were thwarted by Russia, Covid-19 and a collapsing runway