Arctic Circle Race

Team Forces Supports Soldiers Completing Gruelling Arctic Circle Race in Greenland

Team Forces is proud to have supported Ex MARLBOROUGH FOX – an extraordinary Arctic endurance expedition that saw two members of Land Operations Command successfully complete the 160km Arctic Circle Race in Greenland.

Held between 27–29 March 2026 in Sisimiut, Greenland, the Arctic Circle Race is widely regarded as one of the world’s toughest cross-country ski events, combining extreme cold, challenging terrain, and long-distance endurance over three demanding days.

Capt Middleton and Capt Smith represented the British Army in the event, racing alongside international competitors and Danish Kommando counterparts in temperatures reaching as low as -30°C.

The expedition formed part of a wider programme designed to demonstrate the Army’s physical capability, resilience, and adventurous training opportunities, while also strengthening links with partner Special Operations Forces.

Planning for the expedition began almost 12 months before deployment, with both officers undertaking an intensive training programme that included long-distance endurance running, Nordic ski preparation, and cold-weather conditioning. Preparatory activity also included specialist skiing refreshers and equipment testing to ensure the team was ready for the extreme Arctic environment.

Following arrival in Greenland, the team completed acclimatisation and technical ski training before taking on the race itself:

• Day One: 50.5km with significant elevation gain
• Day Two: 60.2km across demanding Arctic terrain
• Day Three: 49.3km back towards Sisimiut in worsening weather conditions

Despite the challenging conditions, both competitors successfully completed the full 160km event. Capt Smith also achieved an outstanding result, placing second in the men’s 30–39 category and securing a silver medal.

Alongside the physical challenge, the expedition created valuable opportunities for international engagement. Working and racing alongside Danish military personnel helped establish lasting relationships between partner forces in a uniquely demanding environment.

The event also generated significant interest across the wider military community, showcasing how challenge and adventure training continue to play an important role in resilience, morale, retention, and leadership development.

Team Forces was proud to support the expedition through grant funding, helping enable a challenge that demonstrated determination, teamwork, endurance, and the enduring spirit of military adventure training.

Major General Lamont Kirkland, CEO of Team Forces, said: “Completing the Arctic Circle Race is an exceptional achievement in one of the harshest environments on earth. This expedition perfectly demonstrates the value of challenge and adventurous training in building resilience, teamwork, leadership, and international collaboration.

We are proud to have supported an initiative that not only pushed physical and mental limits, but also showcased the opportunities and spirit that continue to define our Armed Forces.”

The expedition concluded without accident or injury and stands as another outstanding example of what can be achieved through preparation, professionalism, and determination.