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Islandsbanki Reykjavik Marathon on August 22nd, 2015 ©Horst Milde
32. Islandsbanki Reykjavik Marathon on August 22nd, 2015
The 2015 Islandsbanki Reykjavik Marathon will take place on August 22nd. The event will be the 32nd Reykjavik Marathon.
The following timetable is subject to change.
Timetable in Laekjargata on August 22nd 2015
08:40 Marathon, Half Marathon and Relay
09:35 10 km
12:15 Fun Run, 3 km
14:40 End of race timing
The time limit for the marathon and the relay race is six hours.
Reykjavik Marathon will start and finish in Laekjargata located in the center of Reykjavik. Press here to see Laekjargata on a map and here how to get there by bus.
The information center will be in a building behind the big white school building by the start/finish (see photo below). To get to the information center it is best to go on the left of the school building. It is open on race day from 7:30 to 15:00.
The Lazy Town Run
The Lazy Town Run for children takes place in Hljomskalagardur, a beautiful garden in the center of Reykjavik by the Pond.
13:15 – Warm up by the start line
13:20 – Blue route (6-8 years old) – the 1,3 km race starts
13:30 – Warm up by the start line
13:35 – Yellow route (5 years old and younger) – the 550 m race starts
Following the run an entertainment program will take place in the south end of Hljomskalagardur.
Hljomskalagardur – location on map
Bus to Hljomskalagardur – information site
History of the race
In 1983 two young entrepreneurs working at a travel agency were looking for an opportunity to interest more tourists in visiting Iceland when they came up with the idea of starting an international road race in Reykjavik.
A year later the first run was held with 214 participants. These were natives and runners from seven other nations.
Since then the Reykjavik Marathon has been held every year and now attracts around 13.000 participants with more than 1500 foreign runners taking part mainly in the marathon and the half marathon. In 2012 almost 13.500 runners participated in all six distances of the Reykjavik Marathon.
Reykjavik Marathon became a member of AIMS in 1984. AIMS is a member based organization of more than 300 of the world's leading distance races from over 85 countries.
World famous runners have participated in our marathon, among those are Stefano Baldini, Frank Shorter, Hugh Jones, Grete Waitz, Waldemar Cierpinski and Fred Lebow.
Every year the Reykjavik Marathon issues a magazine. Click here to view all race magazines that have been published since 1984.
In the first Reykjavik Marathon in 1984 56 runners took part in the marathon distance. In 2014 there were 1.044 registered runners.
Participants
The marathon distance is open for all men and women 18 years and older. The time limit is six hours.
Registration
Registration should be done online here at marathon.is. It will also be possible to register at the EXPO but then the entry fee will be higher. Click here for further information about registration for the Reykjavik Marathon.
The route
The course of the Reykjavik Marathon is unique, and very scenic. The marathon is one lap (except for the last part, as it goes nearly the same route as in the beginning of the race). The race starts and finishes downtown within sight of the pond and the city hall. The location is unbeatable, considering that a large number of hotels are within 5 to 10 minutes walking distance from the start of the race.
The first part of the course runs through a residential area where many of the inhabitants come out of their houses to cheer the runners on. This is followed by a section where the runners pass along the seaside and have excellent views of the ocean, but also of the mountains surrounding Reykjavik, including Esjan and the Snæfellsjökull glacier. Participants in the marathon also run through the Elliðaárdal valley, the location of one of the country’s more popular salmon-fishing rivers, a small waterfall, and some woodland. In the last part of the race, the participants pass a number of famous buildings, including Höfdi House, a Reykjavik City Council reception venue where US President Ronald Reagan and USSR General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev met for a summit in 1986.
Most of the race takes place on the streets of the city, although parts of the route are run on tracks, particularly the seaside and salmon river sections.
These are the streets and tracks runners run through:
Lækjargata, Fríkirkjuvegur, Skothúsvegur, Suðurgata, Lynghagi, Ægisíða, Nesvegur, Suðurströnd, Lindarbraut, Norðurströnd, Eiðsgrandi, Ánanaust, Fiskislóð, Grandagarður, Mýrargata, Geirsgata, Kalkofnsvegur, Sæbraut to east, Sæbraut to west, Kringlumýrarbraut, path alongside Suðurlandsbraut, Engjavegur, Múlavegur, Þvottalaugavegur, Engjavegur, path to the east alongside Suðurlandsbraut, pedestrian bridge over Miklubraut, path to the east alongside Miklubraut and under Reykjanesbraut, path to the south alongside Reykjanesbraut, path going under Reykjanesbraut and going to the west through Fossvogsdalur valley and follow the path up to Faxaskjól, Ægissíða, Nesvegur, Suðurströnd, go onto the path that goes around Bakkatjörn pond, pass lighthouse by Grótta, path alongside Norðurströnd, Eiðsgranda and Ánanaustum, Mýrargata, Geirsgata and Lækjargata.
The course is measured by certified AIMS measurer and accredited by the Icelandic Athletic Federation.
Click here for a map.
Refreshment stations
Refreshment stations will be located every 5 KM. Powerade and water will be provided and bananas on the second half of the route. Runners in the full marathon can leave a refreshment at the EXPO. It will be brought to the 21 km and/or the 30 km drinking station. Be sure to mark your refreshments very well. At the refreshment station by the finish line marathon runners can also have pretzels. The locations of the stations are marked on the route map.
Timing
Timing is done by a MyLaps/ChampionChip electronic timing. Each participant gets a chip that is linked to his/her name and number. This data chip has to be securely fastened to the runners shoe to give correct results. Click here for further information about timing.
Prizes
All the runners that finish the race will receive a medal. The top three runners in the marathon will receive special awards as well as money prize. See further information here.
Age groups
The first runner in each age group will get a special prize. See further information here.
Send us an e-mail to marathon@marathon.is if you need further information about the marathon.
Number pickup Thursday and Friday
On-line registration for the 2015 Islandsbanki Reykjavik Marathon will end at 13:00 on Thursday August 20th.
Registered participants should pick up their race package with bib number, chip for timing, t-shirt etc. in Laugardalshöll Sports Hall, Engjavegur 8, Reykjavik. It will also be possible to register at the EXPO.
The EXPO is open on Thursday August 20th and Friday August 21st from 14-19. Clich here for further information.
Aug 06 Diverse distances
All age groups and levels should be able to find a distance to run or walk in the 2015 Islandsbanki Reykjavik Marathon. There are six different distances to choose from:
Marathon (42,2 km) – For 18 years and older
Half marathon (21,1 km) – For 15 years and older
10 km timed race – Not recommended for children under the age of 12
Relay race (42,2 km – 2-4 runners) – For 12 years and older
3 km fun run – All age groups
Lazy Town Run – Children 0-8 years
On-line registration here at marathon.is ends on Thursday August 20th at 13:00. Participants are encouraged to register on-line because the entry fee is higher if registered at the EXPO in Laugardalsholl Sports Hall.
Click here to register.
Aug 05 Everybody can collect donations
All runners registered for the Islandsbanki Reykjavik Marathon can run for charity. Collection of donations takes place on the web hlaupastyrkur.is. Runners can choose between several Icelandic charity organizations. Note that many of the Icelandic charities are part of international charity organizations.
Click here to view the list of over 150 charities to choose from.
Click here to register yourself as a charity runner
Click here to view all registered charity runners
Click here to view all registered charity relay teams
Jun 24 Registration in full swing
Registration for the 2015 Íslandsbanki Reykjavik Marathon that will take place on Saturday August 22nd is now in full swing. Almost 5.000 runners are now registered for the race, 18% more than at the same date last year.
Runners are encouraged to register early to get a lower entry fee. The next entry fee increase will be at midnight on Wednesday July 1st.
Click here to register.
May 05 Will you run for charity?
All runners registered for the Islandsbanki Reykjavik Marathon can run for charity. Collection of donations takes place on the web hlaupastyrkur.is.
Since 2007 participants in the Islandsbanki Reykjavik Marathon have been able to run for a good cause. Around 400 million ISK have been collected to over hundred charities since 2007. In the year 2014 a record of 85.634.595 ISK were collected via hlaupastyrkur.is for 163 charity organizations.
Runners can choose between several Icelandic charity organizations. Note that many of the Icelandic charties are part of international charity organizations. Click here to view the list of over 100 charities to choose from.
Around 800 participants have started collecting donations at hlaupastyrkur.is. Click here if you want to run for charity and register at hlaupastyrkur.is.
Mar 24 33% increase in registrations
Registration for the Reykjavik Marathon, that will this year be on the 22nd of August, goes beyond expectations. Already, about 2.800 people have signed up for the race, which is 33% more than at the same time last year.
By now 1.017 people have registered in the 10 km race. There are 850 registered in the half marathon and 670 in the full marathon. Registered foreign participants are now 1.245 from 50 countries.
Click here to register for the 2015 Islandsbanki Reykjavik Marathon.
Mar 12 Get the lowest entry fee
Now is the right time to register for the 2015 Islandsbanki Reykjavik Marathon if you want to get the lowest entry fee. The entry fee will rise on Monday March 16th so we encourage you to register before that. Click here for further information about the entry fee.
The 2015 Islandsbanki Reykjavik Marathon takes place on Saturday August 22nd. Like previous years participants can choose between six distances:
Marathon (42,2 km)
Half marathon (21,1 km)
Relay race (2-4 persons in a team run total 42,2 km)
10 km race
3 km fun run
LazyTown Run (for children 8 years and younger)
We hope to see you running with us in August.
Click here or on the on-line registration button on the right to register.
