[Author’s Note: This article is the ninth in an 11-part series in AJW’s Taproom celebrating under-the-radar races.]
For the remaining 28 years, the Laugavegur Ultramarathon has been held in mid-July within the southern highlands of Iceland. Protecting 55 kilometers and connecting the character reserves of Landmannalaugar and Thorsmork, Laugavegur is a point-to-point path held in one of the crucial faraway and scenic areas of Iceland. Restricted to 300 contributors, Laugavegur has a little bit little bit of the whole thing — sand, gravel, dust, snow, ice, and frigid river crossings. The race could also be rather distinctive for the game in that each one contributors, with a view to be eligible to run, should have an ITRA efficiency index of a minimum of 370.
Sebastian Storgaard is a key member of the race group and has been concerned with the race for years. He cites the original location within the southern highlands of Iceland as one thing that makes the race so particular.
Runners at the process the 2024 Laugavegur Ultramarathon. All footage: Ólafur Þórisson
“Laugavegur is particular because of how geographically remoted the development is. It’s necessarily within the highlands of Iceland, some distance clear of any cities or products and services. We need to send lots of the issues wanted for the race — meals, clinical merchandise, tents, and body of workers over tricky terrain — each to the beginning line in Landmannalaugar in addition to the end in Þórsmörk. It’s no simple activity and may just now not be achieved with out the mixed efforts of the hard-working and devoted people who do their utmost to position on an impressive working match.”
The Laugavegur path was once voted via Nationwide Geographic as one of the crucial stunning mountain climbing trails on the planet, and attracts guests from all over the world.
Dealing with most of the identical hindrances as different point-to-point path ultras, Laugavegur’s demanding situations are amplified via its faraway location, difficult climate prerequisites, and distinctive calls for on each contributors and volunteers.
Storgaard notes that the race maintains its low-key really feel due in large part to the place it’s situated.
The pretty and faraway environment of the Laugavegur Ultramarathon.
“Iceland has a fairly small inhabitants, and the working neighborhood mirrors that. Many Icelanders know every different from taking part within the races which are to be had in Iceland, in addition to many being in combination in working teams. This creates an excessively close-knit neighborhood that helps one some other. Social media additionally performs a large phase in permitting runners to hook up with every different and supply recommendation and steering concerning the path and the race. In any case, all of us assume that it’s essential to have a close-knit neighborhood as we believe this — firstly — a neighborhood match, and we would like other people to be concerned within the procedure.”
The 2025 version of the race, the twenty ninth annual, will happen in mid-July, with registration opening in November. Whilst the organizers show pride of their off-the-radar standing, in addition they derive nice pleasure in welcoming runners from around the world to their particular nook of the arena. For the ones searching for an journey approach off the overwhelmed monitor, Laugavegur could also be for you!
Bottoms up!
AJW’s Beer of the Week
Iceland is a lager lover’s paradise and on the most sensible of the general public’s easiest of Iceland record is Lava Beer, a Russian Imperial Stout produced via 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 depressing brown head, easiest on a chilly windswept night time in Iceland’s Southern Highlands.
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