Reykjavík Marathon 2026

The Reykjavík Marathon is one of Scandinavia’s more scenic running events. The route passes through the city centre, along the old harbour, out to the Seltjarnarnes peninsula, and back through the residential streets of the capital — all at a latitude of 64°N, with the clean Atlantic air that runners who have come from larger European cities tend to notice immediately. The event takes place in late August, when daylight is long and temperatures are mild.

Race distances and format

Four distances are offered, making the event accessible to runners of all levels:

• Full marathon (42.2 km) — the main race, with a course that loops the city and the peninsula
• Half marathon (21.1 km) — the most popular distance, drawing the largest field
• 10K — suitable for recreational runners
• Fun run (3 km) — open to all ages including children

Registration opens months in advance and the half marathon in particular can fill quickly. Entry fees vary by distance and registration timing; early registration is cheaper. Check the official site at marathon.is for current pricing. The race is chip-timed, and results are published online.

Course conditions

The course is largely flat, particularly the harbour and peninsula sections. There are some gentle inclines through residential areas. Late August temperatures in Reykjavík average around 10°C to 13°C — cooler than most summer marathons in Central or Southern Europe, which many runners find beneficial for performance. Wind can be a factor on the exposed coastal stretches; lightweight, breathable running gear rather than heavy layers is the right call.

The event typically starts in the morning from the city centre, with roads closed along the route. Spectators spread across the course, and there is a good atmosphere at the finish area.

Planning around the marathon

Reykjavík accommodation during the marathon weekend books up noticeably faster than other August weekends. If you are travelling specifically for the race, book your hotel as soon as you register. Late August is also one of the better times to look for the northern lights on clear nights — they become visible again after the midnight sun period ends.

If you are combining the marathon with a wider Iceland trip, our August in Iceland guide gives a full picture of conditions and what else is worth seeing. The Reykjavík city guide covers hotels across different price ranges and the best places to eat for post-race recovery. Airport transfers from Keflavík are covered in our Iceland airport transfers guide.