[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 some of the distant and scenic areas of Iceland. Restricted to 300 members, Laugavegur has somewhat little bit of every little thing — sand, gravel, mud, snow, ice, and frigid river crossings. The race can 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 because of how geographically remoted the occasion is. It’s basically within the highlands of Iceland, far-off from any cities or companies. We have now to ship a lot of the issues wanted for the race — meals, medical merchandise, tents, and workers over troublesome terrain — each to the beginning line in Landmannalaugar in addition to the end in Þórsmörk. It’s no simple job and couldn’t be performed with out the mixed efforts of the hard-working and devoted those that do their utmost to placed on an impressive operating occasion.”
The Laugavegur path was voted by Nationwide Geographic as some of the lovely mountaineering trails on this planet, and attracts guests from all over the world.
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 circumstances, 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 out there 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 concerning the path and the race. Lastly, all of us assume that it’s vital to have a close-knit group as we think about this — at first — a group occasion, and we wish individuals 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 satisfaction 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 means 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 listing 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, excellent on a chilly windswept night in Iceland’s Southern Highlands.
Name for Feedback
- Have you ever performed the Laugavegur Ultramarathon? If that’s the case, inform us about your expertise.