Teams of budding polar trekkers gathered at Milton Hill House in Steventon, near Abingdon, on Sunday, 11 January.
The race to the North Pole on foot begins in April, and is the second of its kind. Teams from across the UK will take part, with local competitors attending the Abingdon briefing. They will pull sledges carrying their gear at temperatures as low as -40C.
Pictured clockwise from front are Chris McLeod and former jockey Richard Dunwoody, from race organisers Polar Challenge, and Tom Howard and Ross Trewhea from sponsors, the Cotswold Outdoor clothing chain.
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