RACING ICELAND (middle of the pack)

IS THIS RACE FOR YOU? The first thing I saw on the Laugavegur website was a page dedicated to helping answer this question, including the advice that this race was meant for ‘experienced runners’ who ‘know their limitations’ in ‘difficult circumstances’. Serious stuff.

Add to that the warnings: ‘hectic environment and sometimes difficult conditions,’ ‘steep hills in snow, mud and sand,’ and that ‘cold rivers will need to be crossed while dealing with cold winds, rain and even snow.’ I was properly intimidated. And hooked.

I checked out the important stats, which I liked: 55km and almost 2,000m vertical gain. It seemed like a challenge, but doable. Another appealing aspect was that like South Africa’s Otter or Klipspringer trail runs, it was a single day’s running of an established multi-day hiking trail in a protected national park area.

A quick glance) Ultra Marathon in the exotic and remote highlands of Iceland!