[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. Overlaying 55 kilometers and connecting the character reserves of Landmannalaugar and Thorsmork, Laugavegur is a point-to-point course held in probably the most distant and scenic areas of Iceland. Restricted to 300 members, Laugavegur has a bit of little bit of the whole lot — sand, gravel, mud, snow, ice, and frigid river crossings. The race can be considerably distinctive for the game in that each one members, in an effort to be eligible to run, will need to 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 photographs: Ólafur Þórisson
“Laugavegur is particular resulting from how geographically remoted the occasion is. It’s primarily within the highlands of Iceland, distant from any cities or companies. We now have to ship a lot 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 process and couldn’t be finished with out the mixed efforts of the hard-working and devoted those who do their utmost to placed on an impressive operating occasion.”
The Laugavegur path was voted by Nationwide Geographic as probably the most lovely climbing trails on the earth, and attracts guests from around the globe.
Dealing with lots of the identical 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 positioned.
The attractive and distant setting of the Laugavegur Ultramarathon.
“Iceland has a comparatively small inhabitants, and the operating neighborhood mirrors that. Many Icelanders know one another from collaborating within the races which are accessible in Iceland, in addition to many being collectively in operating teams. This creates a really close-knit neighborhood that helps each other. Social media additionally performs a giant half in permitting runners to attach with one another and supply recommendation and steerage in regards to the path and the race. Lastly, all of us suppose that it’s essential to have a close-knit neighborhood as we take into account this — at first — a neighborhood 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 pleasure 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 method off the overwhelmed monitor, 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.
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