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Spending four days running around the polar circle was both challenging and beautiful. reports on the efforts of an inspiring Te Aroha runner.

Suzy Monds doesn’t enter marathons to beat a personal best, in fact she doesn’t even care about what her times are.

‘‘I don’t do times, I just finish. Getting to the end is enough for me. This is all about my own bucket list.’’

The Te Aroha woman’s latest marathon, the Polar Circle Marathon in Greenland, saw her spend four days in the Arctic Circle.

The Polar Circle Marathon is often referred to as the coolest marathon on Earth.

The endless ice and arctic tundra of this vast country make up the backdrop of this unusual race in which runners pass glacier tongues, icy landscapes and the soundless arctic desert.

‘‘I’ve never been so cold in my life,’’ Monds said.

‘‘It was one of the most pristine and beautiful environments but also the most toughest and harshest environments I have ever run in,’’ she said.

Monds had moments during the 63.3km marathon over two days, when she had to pinch herself to see if it was real.

Every 2kms, officials would check to make sure no skin was exposed so frost bite didn’t take hold.

‘‘You’re in the middle of nowhere, it’s freezing and everything is sparkling like a fairy