For many runners, the Laugavegur Ultra Marathon is the most enjoyable race in Iceland. The course takes runners through areas of outstanding natural beauty at the same time as being a challenging course.
A common error that runners make is going too fast through the first part of the race. Most of us have an overall finishing time in mind when we start to run and breaking the course down into sections will help you to achieve your target time. The distance from Landmannalaugar to Thorsmork is approximately 55km. The course is multi-terrain; sand, gravel, grass, snow, ice, rivers and streams and is well-marked with wooden markers to prevent you from getting lost. Hikers normally cover this distance in four days.
Press here for pictures of the course market with approx km
Press here for pictures of the course taken by Pétur Valdimarsson in 2012.
The four parts of the course in the percentage of the total 55 km
- From Landmannalaugar to Hrafntinnusker 20% +/- 5%
- From Hrafntinnusker to Álftavatn 20% +/- 5%
- From Alftavatn to Emstrur 30% +/- 5%
- From Emstrur to Thorsmork 30% +/- 5%
The table above shows that a runner with a target of 6 hrs and 30 minutes should complete the first two sections of the course in approximately 1 hour and 18 minutes for each section, and the second two sections in approximately 1 hour 57 minutes each.
Some time will be lost at refreshment stations, which will shorten the actual running time for each section. Two to three minutes should be sufficient to get a drink or fill a water bottle but even a stop of this length at each main drink station will mean a total of 10 minutes lost. Runners hoping to complete the course in less than 7 hours should take care not to exceed this time at drink stations.
The first section of the course is from Landmannalaugar to Hrafntinnusker. The distance as the crow flies is approximately 10km, with an elevation of just under 500m. The scenery is pretty and the terrain gentle, but this is the toughest part of the course as most of it is uphill. Since this section is only one-fifth of the total race course, setting off at a slow pace is advisable. A stretch of snow and ice (about 500m) has to be crossed shortly before Hrafntinnusker is reached. Take extra care when going through areas of geothermal activity. Nearing Hrafntinnusker the path is very steep and most people walk up the hills and jog slowly between them. Many runners make the mistake of attempting this section too fast and expend too much energy running up the hills at speed. First-time competitors are therefore advised to allow 20% of their target time on this section rather than exhausting themselves. Keep in mind that you have 80% of the course still to come and that the race is just beginning. You can expect snow at the beginning of the course – how much varies from year to year.
The second section is from Hrafntinnusker to Alftavatn. The distance as the crow flies is 12km, with a drop in elevation of 500m. This is the highest section of the course so snow and ice can be expected. The terrain from Hrafntinnusker is sand alternating with patches of snow, with the amount of snow varying from year to year, and the course is undulating. After this undulating section, the path climbs until a fairly flat section is reached that passes the highest mountain in the area, Haskerdingur. At this point, there is a small sloping geothermal area that runners have to cross. The ground here can be muddy and slippery, and runners should take extra care at every step of the way. Once this area has been traversed there is a spectacular view over the lake at Alftavatn. The path now falls sharply and can be treacherous, so the descent should be taken carefully. Grashagakvisl is the first river on the course, but the stepping stones make crossing easy.
The third section of the course is from Alftavatn to Emstrur. Before departing from Alftavatn all runners must check in at the marked checkpoint. The distance as the crow flies is 16km, with a drop in elevation of 50m. Long parts of the course are flat but there are several rivers and streams that have to be crossed. Runners will be helped across the largest river, Blafjallakvisl. Cables strung across Blafjallakvisl to support themselves when crossing the river. Staff from Bjorgunarfelag Arborg are also on site. Participants' bags are located by Blafjallakvisl when crossing the river. Participants can have a change of shoes and/or clothes taken to Blafjallakvisl, and it is up to the individual to decide whether he/she wishes to take advantage of this possibility. Runners aiming at very fast finishing times generally want to lose as little time as possible, but it is a good idea to have dry shoes and clothes sent on, not to mention energy-giving refreshments, just in case. This part will take approximately 30% of the total race time, although stronger runners will cover the long, flat stretches of sand faster. A long descent to Emstrur ends this section.
The fourth and final section of the course, from Emstrur to Husadalur in Thorsmork, is 17km as the crow flies, with a drop in elevation of 300m. At this point, runners will reap the benefits of not having started out too fast. During the earlier parts of the race, runners should think in terms of conserving energy so that not more than 30% of the total race time is spent on this section, which contains some very challenging hills as well as long stretches of fairly flat land. Soon after Emstrur, the course crosses the bridge over the river Fremri-Emstrua, but care should be taken going down the steep path to the bridge. There is a rope, which makes the descent easier. The surroundings are now very diverse and undulating. From the top of the final hill, Kapan, the Thorsmork valley can be seen. On the other side of Kapan lies the final river that has to be crossed, Thronga river. Take care when wading this river as the water can be up to a meter deep.
For safety reasons, there is a rope stretched over the river, which runners should hold onto as they cross. From the river, it is about 4km along an undulating woodland path to the finish line at Thorsmork in Husadalur.
