calendar icon Apr 19, 2024

Marathon Details - Reykjavik Marathon

International Marathons > Iceland > Reykjavik City > Reykjavik Marathon

Reykjavik Marathon & Half Marathon, 10K

location icon Reykjavik City, Iceland    calendar icon  August 24, 2024    calendar icon http://www.rmi.is/en




Name:
Address: Engjavegur 6
104 Reykjavík
Iceland
Phone Number:  +354 535 3700 and 535 3702
Fax Number: +354 568 7566
Email: Email the organizers
 
 
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Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.1 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 3.8 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 3.1 
 
 
Number of comments: 42 [displaying comments 1 to 11]
More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 > ]

 

Roció Escudero from Mexico (9/5/2019)
"I must do marathon" (about: 2019)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Reykjavik Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Nice views, people - organizers and volunteers are very responsive. Course was flat, air is fresh and pure. Hidratación was very good and plenty of water and Powerade. It looks like the Icelanders love this event as part of their festivals.
 

James Skinner from Gloucestershire, England (2/21/2017)
"Highly recommended destination marathon" (about: 2016)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Reykjavik Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


The Reykjavík Marathon has been going for years with the first edition taking place in 1984. This was the 33rd edition of the race, as a result of which, it has an established feel and is very well organised. Runners come from all over the world, possibly be due to Iceland situation mid-way between Europe and North America. Aside from the marathon, there is a half marathon, a 10km run, 3km fun run and a children's marathon. This meant that in excess of 15,000 runners took to the streets of Iceland's capital with the numbers participating growing every year.

The weather both ahead of the event and for race day itself was perfect. Temperatures were in the mid-teens (14ÚC / 57F) and crucially, it was dry and settled with light winds. My concern ahead of coming to Reykjavik would be a combination of wind and rain due to Reykjavík being very exposed on the south western tip of Iceland. Thankfully these fears were not realised.

The Expo Registration takes place at the Laugardalshçll Sports Centre, which is on the outskirts of the city. The staff were really friendly and helpful. One area of the sports hall had been set aside for the registration whereas the other half was full of exhibitors, including other global marathons.

The course is lovely. It is very flat, with the exception of a couple of small undulations, taking place mainly around the harbour with a couple of sections crossing back through the city centre. The half marathon and marathon routes were essentially the same until around the 12 mile mark (19 20km) upon which the routes were separated. There was a distinct difference thereafter with far fewer runners competing in the marathon. Given this, there is every chance to achieve a personal best (PB) time, particularly if running conditions are favourable, as they were this year.

Crowds around the course were a bit patchy. The crowds who were evident though were noisy and very supportive. This was particularly true in the final few miles approaching the finish area, which is very much in the city centre on LÕkjargata. The finisher's medal is very nice and appears to be the same each year, which makes for a nice tradition. Meanwhile, baggage collection is close to hand inside the Menntaskylinn building.

Reykjavík is one of the marathons that I have enjoyed the most to date. The reason for this is two-fold. The picturesque waterfront course combined with the attitude of the Icelanders. They really embrace the competitors and put on a terrific mid-sized event. This is very much a destination marathon and one that should be on all marathon runner' lists. It is one marathon that I would plan to run again, which says it all. If you get the chance, be sure to allow time following the race to explore the country beyond Reykjavík because Iceland is a beautiful country with lots to see and do.
 

J. R. from US (9/11/2016)
"fun city, but the race could be better" (about: 2016)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Reykjavik Marathon
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


I enjoyed the marathon but am hesitant to recommend it as a destination marathon. It's great if you're already planning to visit the country, but the race itself was just ok. I would've enjoyed more running through the (compact) downtown area. The long stretches along the water were ok, and so were the small stretches in the park, but some of the bigger streets felt more like a highway. After the half marathoners peeled off, there wasn't much crowd support left on the course.

Areas for improvement:
-they need more water stations (each 5K isn't enough)
-the post-race area was disappointing (a small grass area with water and powerade, no real food). At the very least, they should give out bottles of water and bananas.
-it'd be nice if they printed names on the bibs so that people can cheer for you (bring a sharpee to mark your bib or jersey); also, the bibs should have an Icelandic backdrop instead of being plain
-t-shirts and medal ribbon colors should be different for the marathon vs the half
-more age group awards (instead of one deep) would be great

Pros:
-the crowd (though relatively small compared to others) was enthusiastic
-the race was well-organized logistically (started on time, spacious corrals), though the bib pickup (at the expo and on the same day) was slightly chaotic
-there is a bag check with a few people watching over it (this wasn't entirely clear from the pre-race info that was posted)
-they did a good job of stopping all incoming traffic (it's not a completely closed course, but I didn't have to stop a single time for a car)
-they include a pass for a public pool that's valid on race day or the following day
-their Culture Day (with live music) is later in the afternoon and at night, so that's a great way to enjoy the rest of the day
 

B. B. from USA (8/24/2016)
"Fantastic destination marathon" (about: 2016)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Reykjavik Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Highly recommend this as a destination marathon - make a vacation out of it and spend some time in this remarkable country before/after the race. The race kicks off festivities for Culture Night, which is a great time to be in Reykjavik.

Race itself was well-organized. Expo was bigger than expected, though still small - I was able to get my bib in a matter of minutes. The course is not exactly hilly but not flat - some mild hills in the middle part. If you need a huge race with lots of spectators, this might not be the one for you. Spectators were sparse at points, but the ones out there were very enthusiastic (loved the guy playing the sax, the band playing The Talking Heads, and the guy in the abominable snowman costume). My only complaint is that they could use more water stations, and post-race food was pretty bad: a dense pretzel I couldn't even swallow, and a small cup of Powerade.
 

m. w. from Ottawa, Canada (8/27/2015)
"Good destination marathonbut bring your wallet" (about: 2015)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Reykjavik Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


Iceland is an awesome country of amazing beauty. Tourism is booming with over 1 million visitors to a country of 300,000 people. If that isn't a reason to visit than the marathon is. It is a friendly marathon with people coming out of their houses to cheer, bang pots and play musical instruments. The course is interesting as it loops around the peninsula and goes along both coasts. There are some hills but no HILLS!!! Water stations are every 5k but they favor bananas and Mars bars to gels so if you are gelanista, bring your own. Weather is perfect for running (12 degrees and overcast) especially if you have trained in summer heat. Limited after race food but you end in downtown close to everything including beer. It is held on the Saturday of their Cultural night (like independence day) and the city starts to really vibrate. A bonus is free access to the outdoor pools which are awesome with cold (5 degree) and hot (up to 44 degree) water. My recovery has never been better. Highly recommended. Iceland is a very expensive country so be prepared, but take advantage of seeing this beautiful country. Well worth it.
 

Kami K. from Corpus Christi, TX (9/4/2013)
"Highly recommended destination marathon" (about: 2013)

50+ previous marathons | 1 Reykjavik Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


Reykjavik Marathon
Reykjavik, Iceland
Saturday, August 24, 2013
8:40 AM

I left for Reykjavik, via JFK Airport, on Wednesday, 21 August. The flight arrived at Reykjavik around 9 AM on Thursday. I was with Boston-based Marathon Tours and Travels, which provided the transportation to Plaza Hotel in the City Center, where I stayed for four nights. A nice hotel within short walking distance to start/finish lines of the marathon as well as nearby restaurants and shops.

On Friday, we enjoyed a daylong south shore excursion that included Eyjafjallajokull - the volcano that erupted in 2010 and adversely affected air travel for few weeks; Seljalandsfoss - a waterfall dropping 130 feel into a shallow pool with space to walk behind it; the tiny village of Skogar; Skogafoss waterfall that drops 200 feet into the river Skogaa; Vik - Icelands most southerly village; and the black-sanded Reynisfjara beach. On the way back to the hotel, we stopped at the sport stadium to pick up the race packet which included the bib number, timing chip, short-sleeved technical shirt, and a water bottle. We did not stay for the pre-race pasta dinner which was included in race entry.

This was the 30th edition of the marathon. There were 14,000 who had signed up for the marathon, marathon relay, half marathon, 10K, and 3K fun run. Temperature was in low 50s. On and off light rain throughout the day. A bit breezy. In short, we enjoyed a nice running weather. The course was scenic. I wouldnt describe it as hilly but it was not flat either. Traffic control was good. Water/sports drink stations were located at approximately every five kilometers. There were pace groups. There were a few bands and musicians on the course. We ran the first 10 miles with the half marathoners. There were some recovery drink and food items at the finish area. The finishers medallion was nice. In short, it was a well-organized running event.

There were 626 male and 225 female marathon finishers; the winning times were 2:33:49 (male) and 2:55:14 (female). There were 1137 male and 967 female half marathon finishers; the winning times were 1:07:40 (male) and 1:22:57 (female). There were 2157 male and 3085 female 10K finishers; the winning times were 31:50 (male) and 38:37 (female).

On Sunday, we enjoyed the daylong Golden Circle tour of the Icelandic countryside. We visited the Pingvellir National Park where the tectonic plates between America and Europe meet and are slowly drifting apart; the Gullfoss waterfall; and the spouting hot springs of Geysir and Strokkur. The tour ended by relaxing in the geothermal hot springs of the Blue Lagoon.

This was my 99th marathon, liked it a lot,and highly recommend it as a destination marathon.
 

Michel Ward from New York, NY (11/19/2012)
"Beautiful Course & Great Race for a PR" (about: 2012)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Reykjavik Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


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.
 

J. F. from London, England (9/23/2012)
"Not the best marathon" (about: 2012)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Reykjavik Marathon
COURSE: 2  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 1


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.
 

S. Z. from Knoxville, TN. USA (9/13/2012)
"Great experience" (about: 2012)

11-50 previous marathons | 1 Reykjavik Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


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.
 

L. G. from Oakville Ontario Canada (8/29/2012)
"Great race and vacation all rolled into one" (about: 2012)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Reykjavik Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


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.
 

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 > ]

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