Norway’s Longyear-byen, one of the northernmost towns in the world, with a population of little more than 2,000, sits on the island of Svalbard, due east of northern Greenland. The rocky, snow-covered moonscape is closer to the North Pole than to Oslo, and in the winter, daily temperatures average 3 to 18 degrees Fahrenheit. Between mid-November and late January, the area undergoes “polar night,” meaning absolute darkness. And the local bear population poses a threat. (People are advised to always carry a rifle when traveling outside “downtown” Svalbard because of roaming polar bears.)
Despite all this, Trine Håkonsen insists Long-yearbyen Longyearbyen is a great locale for running. And if you’re ever in town, she’d like you to join her group, Svalbard Turn Joggegruppa (translation: “jogging group”).
Twice a week, 52…
