18 km Laugarnes

24-25 km Elliðaárdalur

28 km Öskjuhlíð

First inhabited soon after the discovery of Iceland around 870. Was a catholic monastery from 1225-1550. Is home to the Imagine Peace Tower built in the memory of John Lennon and lit up every year between his birthday, October 9th, and his death date, December 8th. The tower is the brainchild of Yoko Ono, John’s widow.

One of Reykjavik's best kept secrets with 60 species of birds, many plant species, several species of fish and a famous salmon fishing river. There is also an old hydroelectric power plant, which was one of the country’s largest at the time of its construction in 1921. Very popular with runners and joggers.

The Pearl (Perlan) is a landmark building in Reykjavik. It is situated on the hill Oskjuhlid where there had been hot water storage tanks for decades. It has an excellent panoramic viewing deck on level 4 and a revolving restaurant at the top.

Viðey Island

29 km Fossvogur Nauthólsvík

Iceland's only serviced beach. It's partly man made and in the summer the water holds a temperature of around 20°c (68° F) being as it is a mixture of the cold Atlantic Ocean and hot Icelandic spring water. The beach also has a hot tub with a temperature of 30-35° (85-95° F).

Elliðaárdalur

Perlan

36-37 km Grótta

42 km Lækjargata

Grótta was declared a protected birdlife area in 1978. Grótta is a very popular recreational site with a magnificent birdlife. The lighthouse, built in 1947, is also one of the best known in Iceland.

One of Iceland’s first stone houses, built as a prison in 1764-1771. Became the first Icelandic ministry in 1904, now houses the Prime Minister‘s office. The statues by the building represent Christian IX, King of Denmark, presenting Iceland with its first constitution, and Hannes Hafstein, the first Icelandic minister.

Grótta

The Icelandic Prime Minister´s office

About the course The marathon and the half marathon are one lap (except for the last part of the marathon, as it goes nearly the same route as the beginning of the race). The course is relatively flat, about 60% flat and 40% rolling. The total difference in altitude is only about 30 meters. Most of the race takes place on the streets of the city, although parts of the route are on tracks, particularly the seaside and salmonriver selections. The course of the Reykjavik Marathon is unique, and very scenic. The race starts and finishes downtown within sight of the pond and the city hall. The first part of the course runs through a residential area where many of the residents come out of their houses to cheer the runners on. This is

42 km Lækjargata

followed by a section where the runners pass along the seaside and have excellent views of the ocean,

Reykjavik Junior College

but also of the mountains surrounding Reykjavik, including Esjan and Snæfellsjökull glacier. Particip-

Tracing its origins to 1056 the school moved to this building in 1846, then the largest building in Reykjavik. The Icelandic parliament was housed in the building and the most important steps towards Icelandic independence were made here.

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ants in the marathon also run through the Elliðarárdal river valley, the location of one of the country‘s more popular salmon-fishing rivers, a small waterfall, and some woodland.

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