Reykjavík Spring Marathon

Why this race belongs on a competitive runner's shortlist

A small-field, grassroots alternative to the separate August Reykjavík Marathon. Two repeats of an asphalt out-and-back connect the Elliðaá salmon river, Fossvogur and the southern seafront; runners who enjoy a quiet coastal course get repeated sightlines and aid points, but also four exposed coast legs and repeated rises. It suits runners who want a smaller Icelandic road marathon with repeatable laps. The 2027 date is confirmed. Detailed terrain uses a historical modeled route reference, not a confirmed 2027 survey; verify any route updates before racing. The course includes Elliðaá / Elliðaárdalur and Fossvogur.

Course overview

Two repetitions of a roughly 21.1 km out-and-back asphalt-path course, with a short initial marathon adjustment. The start is Rafstöðvarvegur 7 / Elliðaárdalur and the finish is Elliðaárdalur, same race base. The route takes in Elliðaá / Elliðaárdalur, Fossvogur, Reykjavík University, Öskjuhlíð / Natura Hotel, Nauthóll / airport shoreline, western turnaround, same route back, repeat out-and-back. Mostly flat asphalt paths with small rises about 3 and 4.5 km outbound; those rises recur in reverse and again on lap two.

0 to 10.5 km: Elliðaá to western coast

The 0 to 10.5 km interval includes Elliðaárdalur, Fossvogur, Reykjavík University, Öskjuhlíð, Nauthóll. The organizer identifies small elevations around 3 and 4.5 km on the outbound asphalt paths; the route otherwise trends from the river valley toward the coast. Official refreshment spacing is about 5 km with water, Powerade and Coca-Cola. The map locates a stop by the university/Öskjuhlíð portion and another at the western turnaround. Keep the two outbound rises at steady effort before committing to a coastal pace.

10.5 to 21.1 km: Coastal return to Elliðaárdalur

The 10.5 to 21.1 km interval includes western turnaround, Nauthóll, Öskjuhlíð, Fossvogur, Elliðaárdalur. Returning on the same course reverses the outbound rises; approximate elapsed positions around 16.5 to 18 km are derived from the organizer's 3 and 4.5 km rises and 10.5 km turnaround. Use turnaround refreshments and the repeated mid-route point; the race base is another mapped refreshment site. All official stops offer water, Powerade and Coca-Cola. Expect the wind to reverse relative to your direction. Reach halfway inside the organizer's 2 h 30 cutoff without sprinting the final rise.

21.1 to 31.6 km: Second outbound coast leg

The 21.1 to 31.6 km interval includes Elliðaárdalur, Fossvogur, Reykjavík University, Nauthóll. The same small rises repeat on lap two at roughly 24 and 25.5 km; these positions are derived, not newly surveyed, and small start adjustments affect exact watch distance. The official map labels the repeated 5 km timing location as 5/16/26/37 km; the refreshment icon is nearby, not exactly at that timing marker. Use the same water/Powerade/Coca-Cola station pattern. Use knowledge from lap one to hold effort on the repeated rises and assess the exposed coast before the last turnaround.

31.6 to 42.195 km: Final return to race base

The 31.6 to 42.195 km interval includes western turnaround, Nauthóll, Öskjuhlíð, Fossvogur, Elliðaárdalur. The final return crosses the same small changes in reverse; the map's paired markers put the outbound 3/4 km rises near 39/38 km on the last leg. Take remaining planned fuel with a mapped return refreshment stop, then finish at the race-base station. Organizer offers water, Powerade and Coca-Cola, not guaranteed gels. Keep enough reserve for the return from Fossvogur into Elliðaárdalur; increase effort after the last short rise only if form is still controlled.

Elevation checkpoints and how to read them

Total ascent is 288 m. MODELED HISTORICAL REFERENCE, NOT ORGANIZER-PUBLISHED: Go&Race 2024 full-marathon page defines two laps and embedded elevation samples. Its exact displayed algorithm was replicated: repeat Elevation Interpolati except final sample twice; centered i±4 moving average, boundary-truncated, round to 0.1 m; sum positive/negative increments. Result 288.2 m up and 290.8 m down, rounded as the site does to 288/291 m. Site scales its 21.6057 km raw half trace by 0.97647842930338 and repeats it twice. The official standing Google route has the same start/turnaround coordinates and overall routing, but a final 2027 elevation survey is not published. Official small rises occur around 3 km and 4.5 km outbound and recur in reverse on the return, then repeat on lap two. The Go&Race model shows largest modeled climb during the first two kilometers, which conflicts with how the organizer summarizes the small hills; use the organizer's hill locations for pacing and treat modeled total as low-confidence.

Aid stations and race-day logistics

Drink-station spacing is approximate. Approximately every 5 km; official map shows race base, university/Öskjuhlíð section, and western turnaround, reused on return and lap two: Water, Powerade, Coca-Cola; waffles with cream/rhubarb jam and coffee after race. The start is Rafstöðvarvegur 7, 110 Reykjavík, Elliðaárdalur. Marathon starts 09:00; bib/chip pickup is at the race start and organizer advises arriving at least 30 minutes early. Organizer lists buses 3, 11 and 12 to Blesugrof, followed by a 900 m walk to start. Organizer also supports jogging or cycling along connected city paths; halfway marathon cutoff is 2 h 30.

Practical pacing plan

Hold a sustainable effort. Use Elliðaárdalur and Fossvogur to establish effort before the small rises at approximately 3 and 4.5 km; avoid matching coastal downhill speed uphill. Judge the return from Nauthóll by wind and effort. The repeated loop lets you plan refreshments, but the 2 h 30 halfway cutoff makes this a poor choice for an unhurried five-hour-plus attempt. On the final Fossvogur to Elliðaárdalur return, preserve form across the repeated small rises before lifting pace toward the race base. Push only while effort and form remain controlled. The southern seafront is exposed, and the out-and-back changes whether wind helps or hinders several times. Use race-week wind and rain forecasts to set effort rather than relying on a single pace target.

Historical weather pattern

April history for Reykjavík, Iceland gives a typical daily temperature range of 27.8 to 50.6 degrees Fahrenheit, daily maximum sustained winds of 6.7 to 21.3 mph, and at least 1 mm of rain on 51.3 percent of days. Historical conditions can change, so check the race-week forecast before travel and again on race morning.

Edition history