Reykjavik Autumn Marathon

The Reykjavik Spring and The Reykjavik Autumn Marathons are two races with a history that goes back 23 years. The Reykjavik Autumn marathon is the last big race in Reykjavik in the autumn. It is always held on the first day of winter the Saturday at the end of the 26th week of summer. In the old nordic calendar, this was the beginning of the first winter month called the Gor-month. So the winter is coming but this is sometimes the nicest time of the year. The arctic darkness is taking over, the northern lights are showing up now and then and the main tourist season is over so there is more space for everyone. The race is a relatively small event and we try to create a friendly atmosphere and we invite everyone for warm waffles with real cream and jam with coffee or chocolate after the race as we have always done when we have guests dropping by. Don´t miss this opportunity to come to Iceland and participate in this fantastic race, meet the people, and experience all the wonders that this island in the middle of the Atlantic has to offer.
Route description:
The course lies through the most beautiful parts of Reykjavik away from the street traffic. The race starts in Elliðaárdalur valley in the east part of the city at the bank of the Elliðaá river, one of Iceland’s best salmon rivers, surrounded by 5500 years old lava formations and small fissures. Through Fossvogur valley, on the boundaries of Reykjavik city and Kópavogur the neighboring town, the route takes the runners down to the seaside south of the city. At Reykjavik University there is a right turn away from the sea alongside Öskjuhlíð hill, once an island after the last ice age 10000 years ago when the sea level was more than 40m higher than now, and then back to the shoreline passing Natura Hotel and the domestic airport. At Nauthóll, with a sand beach heated up by geothermal water during the summer, the route continues to the west with a beautiful view over the ocean, sometimes seeing the mighty Snæfellsjökull stratovolcano glacier and presidential residence at Bessastadir on the other side of the bay. In the western part of the city, after 10,5km kilometers from the start, the runners take a u-turn and head the same way back. The marathoners run this route twice. The entire course is on a paved trail, mostly flat, with small elevation after 3 and 4,5km, and only crossing two small streets each way.
Course Highlights
The course lies through the most beautiful parts of Reykjavik away from the street traffic. The race starts in Elliðaárdalur valley in the east part of the city at the bank of the Elliðaá river, one of Iceland’s best salmon rivers, surrounded by 5500 years old lava formations and small fissures. Through Fossvogur valley, on the boundaries of Reykjavik city and Kópavogur the neighbouring town, the route takes the runners down to the sea side south of the city. At Reykjavik University there is a right turn away from the sea alongside Öskjuhlíð hill, once an island after the last ice age 10000 year ago when the sea level was more then 40 m higher then now, and then back to the shore line passing Natura Hotel and the domestic airport. At Nauthóll, with a sand beach heated up by geothermal water during the summer, the route continues to the west with a beautiful view over the ocean sometimes being able to see the mighty Snæfellsjökull stratovolcano glacier and presidential residents at Bessastadir on the other side of the bay. Now in the western part of the city, after 10,5 km kilometres from the start, the runners take an u-turn and head the same way back. The marathoners run this route twice. The entire course is on asphalt trails, mostly flat, with small elevation after 3 and 4,5 km, and only crossing two small streets each way.