The Midnight Sun Marathon is not only a race, but a dream. At least for me. It all happen in 2017, or 2018. Can’t remember exactly when I found details about the race in a running magazine, before a Bucharest Marathon. I do know it was at least seven years and a half ago. Loving running in the evening, and seeing the scenery of the Midnight Sun Marathon in Tromsø, I knew from that moment I need to be there.

Tromsø explored first in winter time

I did travel before to Tromsø, but in the winter. Twice! You can see a beautiful Aurora Borealis here, perhaps the best place in Europe to do so, but the winter activities are endless. I wrote about them already, and they are not the point of the current post. Sharing the experience from 20th of June 2026 is the flavor. The day in which, at 20:30, I’ve started the race about which I dreamt the most in my entire life.

Midnight Sun Marathon final preparations

Maybe many dream to run a Major – I did that in Berlin. I did also run in Valencia or Amsterdam, marathons far more famous than the Midnight Sun Marathon in Tromsø. But for me, this was the dream, and I was willing to live it at its fullest. Trying to rest a bit before the race, I lay in bed, but I am not exactly falling asleep. I think about the event. Everyway you check it, there is not such thing as an easy marathon. Regardless of your level, time, or expectations.

Starting strong, on the shoreline

I enter the starting block. With around 2,200 racers, it is one of the smallest attendance in a road international race at which I took part. Midnight Sun Marathon in Tromsø is a popular race, with attendees from all around the world, but in such a location, with challenging accessibility, you can’t expect 20K or more, of course. I start with a clear strategy in mind, to keep it steady similar to what I did at Amsterdam. For those who don’t know,  Tromsø, the main city is located on the island of Tromsøya. Here, only 14 kilometers of the race, or so are run, most of them at the end.

Can I get a 3:15 at the Midnight Sun Marathon?

Initially, you cross the famous bridge and go to the mainland, some 14.5 kilometers, and then you turn back. I felt so good, that my pace for the first kilometers is well above my plan, but with no stepping on the gas pedal. I still have reserves, and keep it steady. I really think I can manage a time between 3:15 and 3:20, which is normally my reference. The weather is in my favor, with around 11ºC and eternal summer sun. Some clouds hid it, but it makes things even better. As well, the hour of the day should work in my favor, as I am, as mentioned already, an evening runner. Honestly, everything is in my favor.

No gel, no problems! I hope

One mistake I’ve made was to forget my only gel I wanted to grab with me, so I need to be happy with my flask with water, salt and electrolytes. Truth being told, I don’t feel a need to ingest gels when running on road, but it would have been better not to forget it in the hotel refrigerator, than to leave it there. However, I was not expecting any significant impact. The kilometers pass, and I feel strong. I feel good, energized by the cheering on the sides.

Half in 1:38:10 – I should be able to go for under 3:19 final time

I plan when to replenish my flask, because I sip every few kilometers, to keep a minimum strategy of hydration, which works for me. I conclude some isotonic refill at kilometer 28 should be perfect for the last third of the race. I am contemplating a 3:15 finish, to be honest, but I know a 3:20 or very close is also acceptable. The half, little bit more than 1:38, and a projected 3:18:xx for my finish, considering I can do a two additional minutes in the second split, as I managed both in Oslo and Amsterdam, to mention only the last two main road marathons.

Evening sun, strong at 22:30

The race is not flat, but it is fairly runnable, so I won’t point that out. Oslo is much more abrupt, so then not too much to worry of. I run back already, to the bridge, and the evening sun, at 22:30, hits my eyes for the first time. It is a wonderful feeling, which I am enjoying. Already clocking 2 hours, and I know I can manage it, or at least I should. “Mircea!”, I hear from behind, as I have a shirt with my name written on it. Bogdan, a Romanian who lives in Norway for 13 years catches up: “3:15 or 3:20”? I mention 3:20, “if everything goes well”. He feels better, and heads in front: “I am aiming for 3:15, good luck!”

My stomach strikes for the first time!

My problem is that I got already an impression that something is not right with my stomach. I always laugh of people blaming stomach problems for results. I never had them, so hard to relate. In this specific day, my diet was not something special, classic food, ate more than two hours before the race, not too much, just a mild meal, to be sure I go light. Coffee, of course, but so I drink in the mornings of the races. Especially before trail races!

Midnight Sun Marathon, new approach

Nothing unusual. No gels, no new drinks, nothing. The cramps, however, increase, and I know this will mean my race will change. It is around kilometer 27. I don’t have much left, but I do need to deal with this “professionally”. I got some pictures, I guess exactly in those exact moments. I try to keep my composure, and I remember some mobile toilets are at the next hydration point. The exact one where I want to refill my bottle. There they are! I don’t know how could I manage without them.

Four minutes lost, but how good it feels to have the proper logistic when you need it

The side of the road could have been an option, but it was a residential area. Can’t do that, not in Norway. In the end, the timing and logistic “collide” beautifully and offer me the best hand possible. I lose around four minutes. But they are necessary minutes. My morale is not peak anymore, I am affected. The luck is that I am heading to the bridge. Photographers are on duty, and I know I will get some wonderful memories, with the might Arctic Church behind, and try to be as cheerful as I can.

My morale is hit severely, but I need to keep my head above water

Also, there is the downhill after the bridge, and that helps me spare some energy for the last kilometers. 10 left, all in Tromsø, going to the Southern tip, to the airport and back, with a general downhill. It looks good in mind, but my problems are not 100% solved. Maybe 70%? I don’t really afford another break, so I prefer to grind my teeth. I enjoy the beautiful central cities of Tromsø, those I love so much. Turning right, then left, and in front of Ølhallen, a beautiful moment reveals.

Experiencing the “Viking row” at Midnight Sun Marathon

Young locals, taking advantage of a Saturday night. Well dressed, most very young, but already with high spirits. They are not only cheering us, but I experience the “Viking row”, in front of the oldest pub in Tromsø, established in 1928. For those who don’t know, Norway qualified for a football World Cup after 28 years, and their supporters made famous, all over the world, the “Viking row”. I don’t think I could choose a better year to run my first (I hope!) Midnight Sun Marathon, and to experience something more beautiful.

Oh, it can be so easy to break into pieces in the last kilometers… Not today!

For my morale this is gold, especially since it is already (I think!) kilometer 35. Waiting for the final turn like crazy, and also to refill again my flask. A lot of ascent. Finally, it is here, at the hydration point. I stop and fill my flask again, I lose one more minute. I know my time won’t be great, but neither I am discouraged. I know I will still finish strong. I know the last 4.5 kilometers are mostly downhill. I decide to remain strong. As strong as I can.

Ran out of energy, fueled by dreams

The cheering intensifies, my legs are good, my muscles feel great considering the huge effort; much better than at Amsterdam!; but my energy reserves are drained. I am trying to push and, maybe, finish under 3:25. I am close, very close: 3:25:04, with a final strong kilometer, at the level of the first 20+. It always happens during a marathon, to speed up at the end. At least in my case it does. I finish the race slightly before the midnight. It is, of course light. There is also some mild rain. Grateful it started only in my final kilometers, so didn’t need to struggle with rain during my run. 147 out of 1105 male starters is not a poor result!

Midnight Sun Marathon, the dream came true!

The dream comes true, I feel so happy and relieved. Now, I can enjoy even more Tromsø, with less pressure. But since the topic is the Midnight Sun Marathon, I will keep the proper flow, because, as it happens at every marathon, there are a lot of lessons to learn. When you look back, you always think you can done better, but are you honest with yourself when you think / say that? The truth is that, even if in a different circumstance I would have run it under 3:20 for sure. A different circumstance meaning not feeling I will shit myself, because that is something I never experienced.

At a marathon you may face always things you can’t control

If I want to be correct, though, this opened my eyes to the fact that you should never feel it is for granted to finish a marathon, no mater how well trained you are. During this type of race, absolutely everything can happen, and the problem is that you need a trigger, a very small one to fall apart. I consider myself rather mentally strong, otherwise I don’t know how I would deal with what happened after kilometer 27. However, there are things you can’t control.

You should never take a marathon finish for granted!

For example what I have experienced in Amsterdam, at kilometer 40, when a muscle blocked for a couple of seconds, and threatened my finish heavily. Fortunately, the muscle problem rebound, and came back after the race. I was fortunate, and I could finish strong, but I could, as well, finish 10 minutes, or more, later. I think in Tromsø I lost around 5-6 minutes, but this is such a small toll comparing the overall picture, and the feeling I got after, when I enjoyed the moment so much. Don’t ever take a marathon for granted!

My big dream was the Midnight Sun Marathon! Which is yours?

This is one lesson, the second, if I may add, is that whatever your dream is, regarding a marathon, or something in this sector, go for it! My dream was Midnight Sun Marathon, and I made it! I hope to run it again sooner than later, and maybe not only once more. You might crave for a running event yourself. I wished to go to many places: MIUT, Lavaredo, Amsterdam, Valencia, Athens, Berlin, Cape Town, Restonica, and I did them all. But I didn’t dream of anything like this one. The feeling is great. Don’t postpone it anymore!

Norway, in the middle of the football World Cup, where they qualified after 28 years

Apart from this, as mentioned, the timing was perfect. I’ve explained in some other articles about the consolidated involvement of Norwegians in sports, and now, one of their peak achievements is under way: football World Cup 2026. To run the Midnight Sun Marathon between a 4-1 win against Iraq and a 3-2 victory in front of Senegal, is not something you experience every year. So even in Tromsø the vibe is according to the event. I tried to celebrate my presence here with a t-shirt of the national football team, even though if it is “Nike”, considering I wear only adidas.

Couldn’t get the national team jersey, but I do have a beautiful TIL one!

“Not only they are sold out in all shops, but you can’t find any on the Nike online store. Not even the black, away kit, sorry!” This is the brutal answer I get from the main shopping center in the town. What can I do? I’ll order it at a later time… Meanwhile, I need to keep a similar memory, so I go for TIL, the local football club, who has a good season. The shop is in the middle of Storgata, main street. I find a model – player’s choice! – with the Northern Lights on it: perfect fit! I don’t have Haaland’s jersey, but at least I got Tromsø IL!

Tromsø, my special place to be in

Heard about this club long before Midnight Sun Marathon, because of my passion for football, and, eventually, geography, but my affinity for it grew alongside my passion for Tromsø, and for Norway in general. For me, Midnight Sun Marathon means much more. I love Tromsø more and more, especially I’ve been there three times already. In a period when Europe experienced 40ºC, to be in a place with 10-15ºC and 24 hours of daylight is a real blessing.

Enjoying my medal, at 2 AM in the morning, on quiet streets, under the… bright sun!

Especially after I completed the marathon, enjoying some bright sun light at 2 AM in the morning, and going on the streets, where nobody was present, apart from the noisy seagulls, it really is an experience you can’t match with too many others. It looks abnormal to have full daylight, but it feels so good! I glance at my medal, once more. It was well deserved, and now I understand better its meaning, as it incorporates not only the iconic bridge to Tromsdalen, and the Arctic Cathedral which is not a… cathedral, but it also incorporates the “Runners” statue.

The story behind the “Runners” statue

As said, I’ve been to Tromsø twice before, saw the statue, but didn’t know what it is. The story it is impressing, and it is a huge emotion to learn it was inaugurated exactly ten years back, at the initiative of Italian Gianfranco Traverso who ran several times at the event,  and also had the privilege to meet, in 2009, famous former Norwegian marathon runner, Grete Waitz. She simply told him: “Never stop chasing your dreams. Keep on running!”. Two years later, the former champion passed away to cancer.

Grete, a huge Norwegian inspiration

Grete is very popular in Norway, and I first realized this in September 2024, when the 10K race from the Oslo Marathon was called “for Grete”. Gianfranco was so moved by the words of this lady that he contracted sculptor Leonardo Lustig to make a bronze sculpture dedicated to all runners, somehow in her memory. The result was unveiled at 14:00, on 21st of June 2016. Ten years without one day before my start! In the presence of the Norwegian royal family. Now, this statue is depicted on the medal, so I can say I have at home a piece of it.

“Never stop chasing your dreams. Keep on running!“

 I never met Grete, I wasn’t running when she was living, let alone participate at this kind of events, but the words “Never stop chasing your dreams. Keep on running!” make perfect sense for me, especially when it comes to participate at Midnight Sun Marathon in Tromsø, as said. You should follow your dreams as well, even if they may be different. You can dream to run in another place, or do something memorable, not linked to running at all; like seeing a sports events, a football match, a concert, going to a festival etc. The possibilities are infinite, and the point is to do whatever you can to make your dreams come true!