[Author’s Note: This article is the ninth in an 11-part series in AJW’s Taproom celebrating under-the-radar races.]
For the final 28 years, the Laugavegur Ultramarathon has been held in mid-July within the southern highlands of Iceland. Masking 55 kilometers and connecting the character reserves of Landmannalaugar and Thorsmork, Laugavegur is a point-to-point course held in one of the vital distant and scenic areas of Iceland. With some 500 to 600 members, Laugavegur has slightly little bit of every thing — sand, gravel, mud, snow, ice, and frigid river crossings. The race can also be considerably distinctive for the game in that each one members, with the intention to be eligible to run, should have an ITRA efficiency index of not less than 370.
Sebastian Storgaard is a key member of the race group and has been concerned with the race for years. He cites the distinctive location within the southern highlands of Iceland as one thing that makes the race so particular.
Runners on the course of the 2024 Laugavegur Ultramarathon. All pictures: Ólafur Þórisson
“Laugavegur is particular attributable to how geographically remoted the occasion is. It’s primarily within the highlands of Iceland, distant from any cities or providers. Now we have to ship many of the issues wanted for the race — meals, medical merchandise, tents, and workers over tough terrain — each to the beginning line in Landmannalaugar in addition to the end in Þórsmörk. It’s no simple activity and couldn’t be carried out with out the mixed efforts of the hard-working and devoted those who do their utmost to placed on an excellent operating occasion.”
The Laugavegur path was voted by Nationwide Geographic as one of the vital stunning mountaineering trails on the earth, and attracts guests from around the globe.
Dealing with lots of the similar obstacles as different point-to-point path ultras, Laugavegur’s challenges are amplified by its distant location, difficult climate situations, and distinctive calls for on each members and volunteers.
Storgaard notes that the race maintains its low-key really feel due largely to the place it’s situated.
The attractive and distant setting of the Laugavegur Ultramarathon.
“Iceland has a comparatively small inhabitants, and the operating group mirrors that. Many Icelanders know one another from taking part within the races which might be obtainable in Iceland, in addition to many being collectively in operating teams. This creates a really close-knit group that helps each other. Social media additionally performs a giant half in permitting runners to attach with one another and supply recommendation and steering in regards to the path and the race. Lastly, all of us assume that it’s necessary to have a close-knit group as we think about this — at the beginning — a group occasion, and we wish folks to be concerned within the course of.”
The 2025 version of the race, the twenty ninth annual, will happen in mid-July, with registration opening in November. Whereas the organizers take delight of their off-the-radar standing, additionally they derive nice pleasure in welcoming runners from across the globe to their particular nook of the world. For these in search of an journey manner off the crushed observe, Laugavegur could also be for you!
Bottoms up!
AJW’s Beer of the Week
Iceland is a beer lover’s paradise and on the prime of most individuals’s better of Iceland checklist is Lava Beer, a Russian Imperial Stout produced by Ölvisholt Brugghús, a brewery in Selfoss, Iceland. Weighing in at 9.4% ABV, Lava is a pitch-black beer flavored with darkish chocolate, roasted malt, and smoke, with a darkish brown head, good on a chilly windswept night in Iceland’s Southern Highlands.
Name for Feedback
- Have you ever carried out the Laugavegur Ultramarathon? In that case, inform us about your expertise.
