Reykjavik Marathon Race Info

Date: 8/24/2019

Location: Reykjavik, Iceland

Start Time: 8:40am

Avg Temps (f): 55/46

Time Limit: 7.5 hours

Lessons Learned from Race Reports

In spite of the rolling elevation profile, lots of runners report a fairly flat, fast course
Not many spectators in the second half of the race, and since it’s not a huge field of runners, be ready for some alone miles
Weather likely to be cool but nearly perfect marathon weather given it’s not that hot in August in Iceland
Carry your own water/fuel if you need it more than every 5k
Helpful photo guide to see the roads and paths on the course – most look smooth and it looks exposed, so bring a hat or sunglasses if it’s sunny: https://runninginiceland.com/2015/08/12/photo-guide-to-the-reykjavik-marathon/
Lots of runners made an event out of the race in the sense of taking a vacation in Iceland, going for the cultural fest, and checking out the city and the country, so all very positive reviews of the race given it was part of a bigger experience.
Several races going on at the same time, so be careful not to get caught up in the pace of faster distances like 10k and half marathoners
Err on the side of being trained for hills rather than being trained for flat – most race reports talked about a flat, fast course, but a couple of race reports struggled on hills past the 15k mark.

Course

Type: Loop course starting and finishing in Laekjargata located in the center of Reykjavik

Hills: Rolling hills throughout with elevation gain anywhere from ~20-130ft, mainly starting around 15k in and throughout the rest of the race. Website says course is 60% flat, 40% rolling, mainly running on city streets and on bike paths

Course Map/Elevation (Remember elevation profile is in Meters, not Feet)

Aid stations

Locations of water/electrolyte stations: Every 5km with bananas in the second half of the race

Electrolyte offered: Powerade

Runners can leave a refreshment at the Expo and it will be brought to the 21 km and/or the 31 km station. Be sure to mark your refreshments very well.