Greek national and Inis Mór GP, Dr. Evangelos Drosos, is preparing to take on one of the most extreme endurance challenges on the planet, the 500km Lapland Arctic Ultra 2026 in support of the National Breast Cancer Research Institute.
The race will take place from March 1-11 in Överkalix, Sweden, deep within the Arctic Circle. This self sufficient winter ultramarathon requires competitors to traverse 500 kilometres of frozen rivers lakes, swamps often in complete isolation.
Participants face deep snow, ice and temperatures that can fall as low as minus thirty five degrees, with serious risks including frost bite hypothermia and extreme exhaustion. Widely regarded as one of the world’s toughest foot races, competitors may spend up to ten days navigating the Arctic wilderness carrying their own supplies and relying on minimal external support. The event demands exceptional physical endurance and extraordinary mental resilience.
Dr. Drosos is undertaking this formidable challenge to raise much needed funds and awareness for breast cancer research. Breast cancer remains the most common cancer affecting women in Ireland, with one in seven women expected to develop the disease during their lifetime and over 3,587 new cases diagnosed each year.
The NBCRI works in collaboration with universities and hospitals in Ireland and internationally to advance diagnostic techniques and improve treatment options, with the ultimate aim of improving outcomes for patients. Its research is funded primarily through public donations, made possible by fundraising initiatives such as this challenge.
Speaking about his preparation, Dr. Drosos said, “Inis Mór is my training camp. I have been training intensely over the last four to five months, averaging between 130 and 180 kilometres per week. The maximum I’ve reached so far is ten consecutive days of 30km each as a simulation for the race.
“This support and encouragement I receive from the islanders on the roads and paths of Inis Mór is fantastic. It always lifts me and drives me on.”
Describing the final preparations, Dr. Drosos said : “The last two weeks involve intensive equipment preparation and packing before travelling to Lapland for a short acclimation period. It will be a very tough ten days in the cold and the dark.”
Explaining his motivation for supporting the NBCRI, he said: “If one woman’s life can be saved through me fundraising and raising awareness of breast cancer research, that will be powerful enough to motivate me when the going gets tough.
“Breast cancer is such a common disease in Ireland, destroying the lives of so many young women and their families. Together, we can make a difference, and I ask as many people as possible to donate what they can.”
To support Dr. Evangelos Drosos as he takes on this extraordinary Arctic expedition in aid of breast cancer research, visit: www.idonate/Evangelos ArcticChallenge
