Laugavegur Ultra Marathon

Race - Jul 16, 2021

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For many runners, the Laugavegur Ultra Marathon is the most enjoyable race in Iceland. The course takes runners through areas of outstanding natural beauty at the same time being a challenging course. Hikers normally cover this distance in four days. The course is multi-terrain: sand, gravel, grass, snow, ice, rivers, and streams.

The trail is maintained and serviced by Ferdaflag lslands (F), the Iceland Touring Association. See further information here: fi.is/en/hiking-trails/laug…

The course is multi-terrain: sand, gravel, grass, snow, ice, rivers, and streams.

A common error that runners make is going too fast through the first part of the race. Most of us have an overall finishing time in mind when we start to run and breaking the course down into sections will help you to achieve your target time. The distance from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk is approximately 55km. The course is multi-terrain: sand, gravel, grass, snow, ice, rivers and streams... and is well-marked with wooden markers to prevent you from getting lost. Hikers normally cover this distance in four days.

The four parts of the course in percentage of the total 55 km

From Landmannalaugar to Hrafntinnusker - 20% +/- 5%
From Hrafntinnusker to lftavatn - 20% +/- 5%
From lftavatn to Emstrur - 30% +/- 5%
From Emstrur to Þórsmörk - 30% +/- 5%

A runner with a target of 6 hrs and 30 minutes should complete the first two sections of the course in approximately 1 hour and 18 minutes for each section, and the second two sections in approximately 1 hour 57 minutes each.

Some time will be lost at refreshment stations, which will shorten the actual running time for each section. Two to three minutes should be sufficient to get a drink or fill a water bottle but even a stop of this length at each main drink station will mean a total of 10 minutes lost. Runners hoping to complete the course in less than 7 hours should take care not to exceed this time at drink stations.

Laugavegur Ultra Marathon is a 55 km mountain race that will take place for the 20th time on Saturday, July 16th 2016. Registration will open in January 2016 at marathon.is/ultramarathon.

The trail is maintained and serviced by Ferdaflag lslands (F), the Iceland Touring Association. See further information here: fi.is/en/hiking-trails/laug…