Reykjavik Marathon 2025
2024 Reykjavik Marathon
Offering a 10km, Half Marathon and Marathon events, the Reykjavik Marathon gives runners the chance to experience the Icelandic capital like never before. Welcoming runners with breath-taking scenery, this event is like no other!
Reykjavik, the world’s most northerly capital, is a little-known gem of a destination. Relax in the swirling steam of geothermal swimming pools. Dine on fresh fish in one of many celebrated restaurants. Explore galleries and museums filled with fascinating Icelandic and international works. Enjoy nature’s own artistic palette awaiting you in the nearby countryside.
The country is a natural wonderland with its volcanoes, geysers, waterfalls and ancient mountains. Learn how Iceland’s unique geology has been sculpted by fire and ice over eons. Straddle two continents as you step onto the Mid-Atlantic ridge, the boundary between North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.
Choose your distance and be joined by hundreds of Icelanders. You will experience perfect running temperatures and the cleanest air imaginable since the entire city is heated with geothermal energy.
The Reykjavik Marathon is an Abbott World Marathon Majors Wanda Age Group Qualifying Race.
Meals Included
Daily breakfasts included and post-race pizza party
Guide
Support from our team during your stay
Transfers
As per itinerary
Trip Extension
Trip extension available upon request
Accommodation
Perfectly located hotel
Entry
Guaranteed entry into the incredible Reykjavik Marathon
Celebration Party
Post-race pizza party
Excursions
Selection of sightseeing tours included
Travel Package Information
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Itinerary
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Thursday, August 21
Arrive in Reykjavik. Transfer on your own from the Keflavik Airport to your hotel via the FlyBus+. You can purchase this ticket when you arrive at the airport. The balance of the day is at your leisure. You will be met at the hotels by your Marathon Tours & Travel hosts!
Friday, August 22
A relaxing pre-race day as we explore the dramatic landscapes of the south of Iceland on a 9 hour tour from Reykjavik. Experience diverse nature at its best with waterfalls and black sand beaches. Walk behind the cascades of Seljalandsfoss, hike to the top of Skógafoss and enjoy a walk on Reynisfjara black sand beach with the Reynisdrangar rock formations. You will depart at 8:00 a.m. and return around 5:30 p.m. (Breakfast is included)
Saturday, August 23
RACE DAY!
The marathon and half-marathon start at 8:40 a.m. followed by the 10K at 9:40 a.m. In the evening, enjoy Culture Night and the fireworks. (Breakfast is included)
Sunday, August 24
Today enjoy the “Golden Circle” tour of the Icelandic countryside exploring the country’s natural wonders. First a stop at Thingvellir National Park where the world’s oldest parliament met and then to Gullfuss (Golden Falls), a magnificent waterfall. After Gullfoss we travel down the road to visit Geysir, from where the word “geysir” originates. After lunch (at your own expense) we continue to Hveragerdi where harnessed geothermal power warms greenhouses nurturing fruits. Finally we end the tour at the Blue Lagoon for a relaxing soak in the world famous hot springs. (Breakfast is included)
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Extensions
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Post-Race Extension | August 25 – 28, 2025
Borgarfjord and Snæfellsnes
Travel to the north and west from Reykjavik to explore the scenic Borgarfjord and Snæfellsnes peninsula. Enjoy beautiful scenery with waterfalls, lava fields, hot springs, volcanic craters and small picturesque towns.
Monday, August 25 – Today is a free day for you to explore more of the beautiful city of Reykjavik. (breakfast included)
Tuesday, August 26 – Following breakfast, be ready to depart (9:00 AM) for our drive to the Borgarfjord region, which sometimes is called Saga Land due to its rich history and beautiful nature. Highlights of the day include:
- Visiting the Hraunfossar waterfall. This unique waterfall is created by cold springs of subterranean water seeping through the lava and falling into the Hvita glacial river.
- Witness Deildartunguhver hot spring, the most voluminous hot spring in Europe. It provides 180 liters per second of 100°C hot water.
- Hike along the scenic Nordura river that runs through the Borgarfjord valley. Visit more waterfalls and the hidden oasis aptly named Paradise.
- Do an easy hike to the top of Grabrok. The crater was formed by a fissure eruption about three thousand years ago. The view from the top is stunning; across lavafields, lakes, rivers and towards nearby mountain ranges.
- Explore Borgarnes town, the only town in the Borgarfjord region (population: 1,900). The town offers a variety of great restaurants, an outdoor geothermal swimming pool, a wonderful museum dedicated to the settlement of Iceland and much more.
- Learn about Egill Skallagrimsson, an Icelandic Viking poet and the protagonist of Egil´s Saga, one of Iceland´s most famous sagas.
Overnight at the Hotel Borgarnes. (breakfast included)
Wednesday, August 27 – Today we travel further west to the Snæfellsnes peninsula. Highlights of the day include:
- An easy climb to the top of Mt. Helgafell, which gives us breathtaking views of the surroundings and three wishes if we think good thoughts and don´t look back on our way up.
- An afternoon sailing tour from Stykkisholmur town out on Breidafjordur bay (Viking Sushi Tour). The beautiful bay has numerous skerries with varied bird life and whales. On the tour the crew scoops up scallops, sea urchins, crabs, starfish, sea cucumbers for you to taste along with a glass of white wine.
- Visit to Bjarnarhofn shark farm. The most famous shark farm in Iceland – learn how Icelandic fermented shark is prepared and have a taste if you dare!
Return to Borgarnes in the late afternoon and overnight at the Hotel Borgarnes. (breakfast included)Thursday, August 28 – Today, we drive from Borgarnes to Keflavik International Airport with stops along the way. Arrive in Keflavik in time for your international flight home. Note: all flights should be in the late afternoon. (breakfast included)(itinerary is subject to change)
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Packages & Rates
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Reykjavik Tour | Four-Night Package | August 20 – 25, 2025
Features:
- Four nights hotel accommodations from August 21 – 25
- Daily breakfast
- All hotel taxes
- Full day South Shore Excursion Tour (Friday, August 22)
- Post-Race Pizza Party
- Full day Golden Circle/Blue Lagoon Tour (Sunday, August 24)
- Services of Marathon Tours & Travel staff
- Local tour guide and driver gratuity
- Guaranteed race entry is additional
NOT Included:
- Airport transfers from/to Keflavik Airport (KEF)
- Additional gratuities not referenced
- Incidentals
- Travel Insurance (highly recommended)
- Roundtrip Flights to Iceland
Post-Race Extension Borgarfjord and Snæfellsnes | Three-Night Package | August 21 – 25, 2025
Features:
- Three nights hotel accommodations from August 25 – 28
- Daily breakfast
- All hotel taxes
- Private coach and expert guide
- Local tour guide and driver gratuity
- Transfer to Keflavik Airport (KEF) on August 28 (flight must be booked for late afternoon)
- Sightseeing and admission as per itinerary.
Not Included:
- Gratuities not referenced
- Incidentals
- Travel Insurance (highly recommended)
Airfare:
You will want to book your airfare into and out of Keflavik International Airport (KEF). Reykjavik Airport (RKV) is the domestic city airport and only services domestic flights and flights to Greenland and the Westman Islands.
2024 Rates (all prices in AUD dollars and per person) – 2025 Rates Coming Soon
Four Night Package | August 20 - 25, 2025Double Occupancy Single Occupancy CenterHotel Plaza $2,640 per person $4,045 Thingholt by Center Hotels - On Request Only $3,010 per person $5060 Post-Race Extension | August 21 - 25, 2025Three Night Extension - CenterHotel Plaza $2,320 per person $2,935 Three Night Extension - Thingholt by Center Hotels - On Request Only $2,345 per person $3,125 Race EntryDistance Price Marathon $210 Half-Marathon $135 10K $90
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Hotels
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CenterHotel Plaza Reykjavik
Perfectly located in the city center, The Plaza Hotel offers comfortable rooms and a spacious lobby area with a hotel bar. Perfect for relaxing after an eventful day in Reykjavik!
Please note: This hotel is located less than a 5-minute walk from the entrance of the Reykjavik Marathon.
CenterHotel ThingholtThe interior design is inspired by the Icelandic nature and is a great example of Icelandic contemporary design. Thingholt has been nominated as the boutique hotel of the year by the World Travel Awards and voted as the best hotel in Reykjavik by the TripAdvisors Traveler’s Choice Awards.
Please note: This hotel is located less than a 5-minute walk from the entrance of the Reykjavik Marathon.
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Event Information
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Race Date: August 23, 2025
Race Time: 8:40 AM – Marathon and Half-Marathon; 9:30 AM – 10K
Course: The marathon and the half-marathon are both one lap. Both races are together for the first 18.5K, then they split (the last 10K of the marathon goes nearly the same route as the beginning of the race). The 10K race is the first 10K part of the marathon course. The courses go westward out of the city center for about 3 km and then turn eastward along the seashore with a beautiful view of the mountains north of Reykjavik.
After about 15 km, the course turns again west and winds through the city center, completing the loop. The course is 60% flat and 40% rolling and has been certified by Mr. John Dislay, an official AIMS measurer. The total difference in altitude is only about 30 meters. Every 5km is clearly marked.
Temperature: Average temperatures range between 7°C and 12°C.
Entry Fee:
- Marathon: $210
- Half-Marathon: $135
- 10K: $90
Time Limit: The course time limit for the Marathon is six (6) hours and thirty (30) minutes.
Number Pickup: The group will meet and walk together to the Expo on Thursday, August 22 to pick-up your bib.
Awards: Every runner who finishes receives a medallion and commemorative t-shirt.
Running Shoes: Although not mandatory, you may consider training and bringing trail shoes for the race. The trail is raked, but you will still come across rocks and potentially thorns. Regular running shoes are worn by the majority of participants.
Difficulty: Moderate 60% flat and 40% rolling hills
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Registration & Booking
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Rates: All prices are based on current exchange rates may change due to currency fluctuations.
Race Entry: Guaranteed entry is additional and not included in the package cost.
Eligibility: Marathon Tours & Travel, an authorized tour operator, is required to offer travel arrangements in conjunction with guaranteed race entry. Marathon Tours & Travel is authorized to sell to a resident of a country where there is not an existing official Tour Operator.
Cancellations: All payments, including your deposit, are non-refundable and non-transferrable. Non-transferrable includes applying your balance to another person, another year or another trip. Should you cancel for any reason, you will forfeit your trip investment. Therefore, travel insurance for every trip is highly recommended. All cancellations must be received in writing.
Not included in price: All items not specifically listed under tour features.
Insurance: For your protection, trip cancellation, baggage, health and accident insurance is highly recommended for all participants. However, no representation or description of the insurance made by our staff constitutes a binding assurance or promise about the insurance.
Security Policy: Marathon Tours & Travel’s security policy requires that anyone staying in our room block must be registered as part of our package. If a registered client attempts to house a non-registered guest and /or invite them to attend any of our scheduled activities, the registered guest’s tour package will be forfeited and parties may be denied access to future tours. Please note that no exceptions will be made as this policy will be strictly enforced.
Responsibility: These tours are operated by Marathon Tours, Inc. of Chelsea, MA who acts only as an agent for the passenger to the companies offering such services and assumes no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity caused by any reason whatsoever by any party offering such services. All terms and conditions offered are governed by the laws of Massachusetts. The right is reserved to cancel the tour prior to departure with a refund, less applicable credit card and processing fees, made as full settlement to the passenger. The right is reserved by Marathon Tours, Inc. to deny acceptance of a booking application by any person. Marathon Tours, Inc. may make any changes or alterations in the itinerary as it deems necessary for the proper handling of the tour. The sole responsibility of any airline used is limited to that set out in the passenger contract evidenced by the ticket. The airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time that the passengers are not on board their aircraft.
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