The Marathon runners Association (Félag maraþonhlaupara – FM) in Iceland arranges two race events each year: The Reykjavik Spring and The Reykjavik Autumn Marathons. The history of the races goes back 22 years. This is a fantastic opportunity to participate in a small and friendly marathon and experience the grassroots of the running culture in Iceland. The event offers two distances: A half marathon and a marathon.
Route description:
The course lies through the most beautiful parts of Reykjavik away from the street traffic. The race starts in Elliðaárdalur valley in the east part of the city at the bank of the Elliðaá river, one of Iceland’s best salmon rivers, surrounded by 5500 years old lava formations and small fissures. Through Fossvogur valley, on the boundaries of Reykjavik city and Kópavogur the neighboring town, the route takes the runners down to the seaside south of the city. At Reykjavik University there is a right turn away from the sea alongside Öskjuhlíð hill, once an island after the last ice age 10000 years ago when the sea level was more than 40m higher than now, and then back to the shoreline passing Natura Hotel and the domestic airport. At Nauthóll, with a sand beach heated up by geothermal water during the summer, the route continues to the west with a beautiful view over the ocean sometimes being able to see the mighty Snæfellsjökull stratovolcano glacier and presidential residence at Bessastadir on the other side of the bay. Now in the western part of the city, after 10,5km kilometers from the start, the runners take a u-turn and head the same way back. The marathoners run this route twice. The entire course is on a paved trail, mostly flat, with small elevation after 3 and 4,5km, and only crossing two small streets each way.
A big house at the start for the runners to stay inside before and after the race. The address is Rafstöðvarvegur 7, 110 Reykjavik.
Refreshment including Snacks, Bananas, Drinks (Coke, Powerade, Water), Beer, Icelandic Waffles with whipped cream and rhubarb jam. Nothing like it.
Half Marathon: 15 years of age Marathon: 18 years of age
Refreshment stations with water, Powerade and Coke are at 5 km interval.
Everyone who completes the race will receive a medal. Trophies and special prices are given for the first 3 places in each distance for both genders.
Race bags and other personal things can be stored in the house at the race start.
Marathon max time: 6 hours - Half Marathon max time 3 hours.
Plenty of free parking space available near the start.
Refreshment stations with water, Powerade and Coke are found in 5 km intervals.
We use the ChampionChip system from Mylap Sports Timing. The split time is after 5K, 10.5K, 16K, 21K, 26K, 31.5K and 37K.
Bus (not available for the marathon runners because of early start), Taxi or Car.
Elliðaárdalur Valley
Rafstöðvarvegur 7, 110 Reykjavík, Iceland
The course lies through the most beautiful parts of Reykjavik away from the street traffic. The race starts in Elliðaárdalur valley in the east part of the city at the bank of the Elliðaá river, one of Iceland’s best salmon rivers, surrounded by 5500 years old lava formations and small fissures. Through Fossvogur valley, on the boundaries of Reykjavik city and Kópavogur the neighbouring town, the route takes the runners down to the sea side south of the city. At Reykjavik University there is a right turn away from the sea alongside Öskjuhlíð hill, once an island after the last ice age 10000 year ago when the sea level was more then 40 m higher then now, and then back to the shore line passing Natura Hotel and the domestic airport. At Nauthóll, with a sand beach heated up by geothermal water during the summer, the route continues to the west with a beautiful view over the ocean sometimes being able to see the mighty Snæfellsjökull stratovolcano glacier and presidential residents at Bessastadir on the other side of the bay. Now in the western part of the city, after 10,5 km kilometres from the start, the runners take an u-turn and head the same way back. The marathoners run this route twice. The entire course is on asphalt trails, mostly flat, with small elevation after 3 and 4,5 km, and only crossing two small streets each way.
The race information has been found on the official website of the event or through publicly available sources. Always refer to the official website the latest race information. Please let us know if any data is wrong or missing, by emailing us.
Get notified about new articles and races
