After enduring five brutal days and over 230km of sub-zero terrain in the wilds of Arctic Sweden, Marc Rhodes — founder of Uncharted Performance — wasn’t just welcomed home with a medal.
He was welcomed onto BBC News.
In a powerful interview aired nationally, Marc shared his story of resilience, transformation, and defiance of the odds after securing 3rd place in the Beyond the Ultimate Ice Ultra — one of the world’s most extreme ultramarathons.
“Where you’re headed is more important than what’s happened to you.”
– BBC Interviewer, reflecting on Marc’s journey.
This wasn’t just a race. It was a statement. A full-circle moment for a man once abandoned in a cardboard box at birth, now redefining what’s possible.
Watch the Full BBC Interview
Inside the Ice Ultra: The Ultimate Test of Body & Mind
The Beyond the Ultimate Ice Ultra isn’t your average race. It’s a five-day expedition through the frozen wilderness of Swedish Lapland, within the Arctic Circle. Athletes face:
-25°C temperatures
230+km of deep snow, frozen lakes, and mountains
No support—carry everything you need
12,000 calories burned per day
As Marc told the BBC:
“Day four is referred to as the long stage… 65 kilometers to do as quickly as you possibly can. I think I did that in about 10 hours.”
“Then, as some kind of sick joke, we have a sprint stage – 15km as fast as you can.”
The finish? An emotional release, a celebration of every ounce of effort.
“You turn the corner, see the red carpet, hear the cowbells, and fatigue just evaporates… You cross it, get a hug, a medal, a beer… and that’s it. You’ve done it.”
Learn more about the Ice Ultra here: Beyond the Ultimate – Ice Ultra
