Iain Buchan conquers Antarctica's Ice Marathon at 75

Updated Feb. 25, 2025, 1:22 p.m. | By Stacey and J Sbu

To raise funds and awareness for the Unlimited Child initiative, Iain Buchan took on the Ice Marathon held in Antarctica.

Antarctica man Iain Buchan / Instagram / The Unlimited Group

At the age of 75, Iain Buchan has proven that age is just a number by completing the gruelling Ice Marathon in Antarctica.

ALSO READ: Kiara Baijnath: SA’s youngest long-haul fleet owner

This incredible feat was not just a personal challenge, but also a testament to Buchan's dedication to promoting early childhood development through the Unlimited Child initiative.

The Ice Marathon, held in Antarctica, is considered one of the toughest marathons in the world.

Runners face extreme temperatures, ranging from -10 to -12 degrees Celsius, and a challenging terrain that's similar to running in soft sand.

The course consists of four loops on a 10.5km track, with aid stations providing essential rest points for runners to refuel and hydrate.

Buchan's daughter, Wallis Watt, who also ran the marathon, described the conditions as "very energy-sapping due to the give in the snow".

Despite these harsh conditions, the family demonstrated remarkable resilience, completing the marathon alongside 62 runners from around the world.

The marathon was not just a physical challenge, but also a mental one. Watt recalled that the runners found motivation in the natural beauty surrounding them.

"There was so little to distract us, so we focused on small things like the glittering snow and the million shades of blue in the sky."

Buchan's finish was particularly memorable, as he coincidentally completed his final lap with his family. "My dad was finishing his third lap at the same time that Ken [Watt] and I came through the finish," Watt explained. "Ken grabbed the South African flag, and we ran through the finish together."

This extraordinary achievement follows the family's history of taking on extreme challenges, from conquering mountains to trekking across the South Pole, all in support of the Unlimited Child's mission.

To date, this non-profit organisation has already impacted more than 2 million children across Southern Africa and Yemen, training more than 12,000 practitioners and empowering nearly 6,000 Early Childhood Development centres.

ALSO READ: Christie Mackenzie clinches ANOTHER Dusi title!