I should start by saying that it's going to be really hard for me to give this race anything but five stars because I liked Iceland itself so much. Was one of the most beautiful places I've ever been, and it seemed like everybody in Iceland knew about and supported the marathon. Also, I'm a fan of smaller, friendly, non-bureaucratic races, so Raykjavik really won me over. Overall, I liked this race, along with the trip to Iceland, enough that I'm thinking of doing it again next year.

As for the course, it was probably the most beautiful of any of the 7 marathons I've fun. Most of it went along the ocean and it also went through Reykjavik. A lot of the course at times followed bike/walking trails (some that weren't asphalt/concrete) that went along the edge of the sea. Really something. The course was also fairly flat, which is nice if you want to get a PR. The temperature was also perfect. The average high in Reykjavik in August is 58 degrees (15 C). This year, it was a sunny and unseasonably warm 62 degrees. I don't think you could find any marathon in the U.S. with avg temperatures much under 85 in Aug, so this makes Reykjavik a great option if you're looking for fast August marathon.

Race organization was also generally good and, like I said, felt friendly and non-bureaucratic. Could have been one or two more water stops, but it really wasn't that big of a deal. The expo was great, though it took a bus ride to get there from the city. Have to say that I wasn't a big fan of the pasta dinner at the expo the night before the race, so you might want to plan to skip that in favor of a restaurant in Reykjavik.

The crowds weren't huge (not talking NY-marathon-type crowds), but I always think the size of crowds is a little overrated as a factor in choosing a marathon, especially if you've already run more than a few marathons. This said, the spectators were very enthusiastic and there was lots of music along the course.

I don't usually post, but disagree with comments below. While overall a positive experience, the Reykjavik Marathon was my least favorite of 7 marathons I have run, including 4 European ones.

Of course, I expected turnout to be small, but there was such limited crowd support, it seemed like no one in the country knew there was a race going on. Iceland has amazing scenery I got to see during the rest of the trip but a majority of the course seemed to be alongside highways and uninteresting neighborhoods. It was also difficult to find the expo, apparently because there are a few places with a similar name, and our cab driver and hotel did not know the correct location

Positives - the volunteers were incredibly kind and friendly, and the medal is awesome. Organization and drink stations also well done.

Pleasant course with some very scenic parts along the sea, around the old town area and in parks. There were around 800 marathoners, 2,000 half marathoners and over 5,000 10K'ers. Not many spectators outside of the start/finish area and a few neighborhoods, but that was fine with me as the site itself was inspiration enough. I agree that another water station and port-a-pot area would be useful. I also wish that they had a shuttle from the old town hotels to the registration pickup. The post race food was just OK, but the Cultural Day celebrations which included street musicians, food vendors, shopping, and a final fireworks display at night were very nice. We also stayed an extra week+ to tour this fascinating country.

LOVED the FULL Marathon this year in Reyjavik. Only about 650 in Full and over 2000 in 10km. Half over 1000. Course lovely and scenic but if you are out over 4:30 it can get lonely and markers are few and far between and same with portapotties and water tables. Like a race is not going on. Expo is just a number pick up basically. Beautiful country, lots to do afterwards and at the festival, great great destination marathon. Oh yes, there are a couple of good hilly parts.

As others have said, this is a perfect marathon to combine with a holiday. Lots to do in Iceland and Reykjavik is a cute place for relaxing. The marathon course was mostly waterside and pretty. I would have liked more aid stations but the weather was unusually warm this year. The festival in the afternoon and evening was fantastic, even though it meant lots of walking between the venues. The waffles being sold from the cart in the flea market area were great recovery food.

This is a great medium sized race in a great city in a great country. The Expo was well done and in close proximity to our hotel and bus lines. The course itself was relatively flat but very scenic on Reykjaviks streets and bike paths. Needed more water and portapotties, but overall well done on the same day as the national cultural day with concerts and fireworks. Would definitely do again!!! :)

I'm doing this marathon for the second time and it is going to be a yearly event for me, as is the Firenze marathon.

The support from the people in Reykjavik is worth the 42km. I meet only smiling people. And the surroundings is something very special.

Thank you Reykjavik.

'Organization' would be 5 if there had been some more refreshments in the finishing area.

Overall, well worth doing at least once: very scenic and not crowded. I did the Reykjavik Half (run at the same time on the same course) last year, which splits off at Mile 12. The difference with the full was that the latter was fairly hilly between Miles 12 and 17 and there was a small off-road stretch around Mile 13. There was a fair amount of running on a bikepath, where it got crowded and difficult to pass between Miles 8 and 10. There was also some on-road running with car traffic, especially later in the race, although this was generally well-handled. Great race weather, although the wind by the ocean segment at Mile 22 or so was overpowering. Good support levels from individual Icelanders, but not big crowds, except at the finish. The end funnel was well organized, and had very nice people. The expo had about six or seven exhibitors and the volunteers there were extremely knowledgeable and helpful. The field consisted of about 10,000 (565 finished the marathon, about 1,400 in the half, and the remainder in the 10K and other shorter races). Overall, about 1,000 from outside Iceland ran, including myself. As far as race energy food goes, the jelly beans were of no help whatsoever, but as usual, "GU" was - although the punch in the stomach is always horrendous. I've been told you have to take it solely with water, otherwise the gut punch will happen every time.

Most of the race is around the Reykjavik coastline, which makes for some stunning scenery. It's a fairly low-key event (about 560 marathon runners) but it's well organized. My only criticism is that the people of Reykjavik don't really come out and support the event in any numbers.

It was my first full marathon and a good choice. The course wasn't too difficult and relatively flat. There were mountains, but only to look at in the distance.

What I really liked was that the marathon is small but really international. I did chat a lot with fellow runners from Ireland, Scotland, the US and Germany.

Iceland is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe, so it is a perfect marathon to combine with a holiday.