A team of adventure runners is being assembled to compete in the world's first marathon to the South Pole.
The 26.2-mile race, to be held in January, is being organised by Canadian firm Adventure Network International (ANI).
"We wanted to offer something to those who had thought they had tried everything in the book," ANI managing director Anne Kershaw said. "No one has ever run a marathon to the South Pole".
ANI operates a private base on the continent and has been taking tourists there for over 15 years. Runners will have to contend with the South Pole's summer weather, which can still bring temperatures as low as -25 degrees Celsius, and wind-chill factors of -40 degrees.
Up to 75 competitors, each paying $25,000, will go through assessments of their health and running ability, with entry applications to be vetted by Antarctica field guides.
Entrants should have run at least four marathons and have experience of mountain running and high-altitude, cold-temperature endurance events, the company said.
Those accepted for the race will spend a few days acclimatising to the polar plateau's 9,000-foot (2,743-metre) altitude at the company's base before beginning the race.
Running in the polar snow was similar to running through a muddy ploughed field, although contestants would benefit from 24 hours of daylight in the southern summer, ANI said.