Reykjavik Marathon

Established in 2002, the Reykjavik Marathon is now 24 years old. From its first edition in Reykjavik, it has evolved into a race that reflects the character of its host region in Iceland.

The fastest time ever recorded at the Reykjavik Marathon is 02:14:32, set by Moses Kemboi in 2015. Every year, new contenders line up hoping to challenge that mark on the streets of Reykjavik.

Runners come to the Reykjavik Marathon for one reason: personal bests. The flat, fast course through Reykjavik has a reputation as a PB factory, with the roads seemingly designed to keep your pace honest and your splits consistent from start to finish.

Starting under cover of darkness gives the Reykjavik Marathon an atmosphere unlike any daytime race. Headlamps pierce the night, the temperature drops, and the usual visual landmarks of a marathon disappear — leaving nothing but the rhythm of footsteps and the glow of the finish line ahead.

In August, Reykjavik gets nearly 20 hours of daylight. The marathon runs through a landscape of volcanic rock, ocean views, and air so clean it burns. The otherworldly light and stark beauty make runners feel like they're racing on another planet entirely.