Reykjavik Spring Marathon | Reykjavik
Sports & Fitness
The Reykjavík Spring Marathon is the first big race of the spring season in Reykjavík. It is always held on the third day of summer, which is a Saturday. The first day of summer is a Thursday. Summer in Iceland usually lasts between April 21 and 27, and although the temperatures are not high, it is often sunny. This is often excellent conditions for runners. Don't miss this opportunity to come to Iceland to participate in this fantastic race, meet the people here, and experience all the wonders that this island in the middle of the Atlantic has to offer. Route description: The course passes through the most beautiful parts of Reykjavík, away from street traffic. The race starts in the Elliðaárdalur valley in the east of the city. The Elliða river is one of the best salmon rivers in Iceland and is surrounded by 5,500-year-old lava formations and small crevices. Passing through the Fossvogur valley on the border of Reykjavík city and the neighboring town of Kópavogur, runners will follow the route to the seaside in the south of the city. At Reykjavík University, turn right away from the sea along Öskjuhlíð, which was once an island during the last ice age 10,000 years ago, when sea levels were more than 40 metres higher than they are today, and return to the coastline, passing the Natura Hotel and the domestic airport. At Nauthóll, which has a sandy beach heated by geothermal water in summer, the route continues westwards, offering beautiful views of the sea, sometimes with views of the mighty Snæfellsjökull stratovolcanic glacier and the presidential residence in Bessastadir on the other side of the bay. To the west of the city, 10.5km from the start, runners turn around and retrace their steps. Marathon runners run this route twice. The entire race is on a paved trail, which is mostly flat, with slight inclines after 3km and 4.5km, and only two small streets each way.