Iceland Volcano Marathon

28 June 2025

Race Information

Read all about the details!

Here you will find all the important practical information about the race, such as rules and regulations, training, timing, race day support, clothing, weather and more. If you don’t find the answer you’re seeking, feel free to contact us with your question.

Topics are arranged in alphabetical order.

Clothing

Even though it is late summer, it will not be "warm" by most people's definitions. In general, it is a good idea to pack two sets of running cloths; one for warmer/decent weather conditions and one for cold/rainy weather conditions. Your "cold" set should consists of long sleeved shirt and long tights/running pants, as well as a wind-protective jacket.
Your "warm" set could be shorts and T-shirt, but the running jacket may come in handy too as the weather can change rapidly.
An extra jacket can be placed and dropped at the personal supply station at the foot of Hverfjall crater. 

In terms of footwear, the Iceland Volcano Marathon can be run in a pair of normal running shoes, but trail running shoes are recommended if running for a top placement.

Cut-off Times

The marathon and half-marathon will both begin at 7:30 in the morning, and both races have a time limit of 7 hours from the start of the marathon. The quarter-marathon will start slightly after the other two races, but everything will be finished by 14:30. 

For marathon runners, a 5 hour 15 minutes cut-off point lies at the 32 km mark.

Runners still on the route after the time is up, or haven't passed the cut-off point in time, will be picked up by a race official or medical car and driven back to the finish area. 

Distances

The Iceland Volcano Marathon features three distances:

Full marathon - 42.195km/26.2mi

Half marathon - 21.1km/13.1mi

Quarter marathon - 10.55km/ 6.56mi

Distance Change

It is possible to change the distance you want to run up to 2 days before the race starts. All you need to do is contact us with your request or go to the race officials at the race briefing Thursday.

For downgrades from marathon/half-marathon to quarter-marathon, you will be refunded the difference if the change is sent to us no later than 2 weeks before the race. Later downgrades will not be refunded. If you wish to upgrade from quarter to half or full, you will be required to pay the difference. 

Change of distance is NOT PERMITTED on Race Day.
 Any runner who decides, on race day, to run a different distance than the one officially registered for will not be given a finishing time.

Eligibility

Full marathon runners must be at least 18 years old on race day.

Half marathon runners must be at least 16 years old.

Quarter marathon runners must be at least 8 years old on race day. Runners under the age of 12, however, must be accompanied by an adult.

Future Race Dates

The Iceland Volcano Marathon will take place on 24 August 2024.

In 2025 the race day will be 28 June.

Goodie Bag

International runners will receive their goodie bags in Akureyri on the second day of the tour. Included in the goodie bag will be your bib number (please do not bend - your timing chip is on the back!), re-usable Iceland Volcano Marathon water bottle, and your race t-shirt. 

Local runners will collect their bags in Mývatn the day before race. Time and address will be announced as the race gets closer. 

Medical Team

A team of Danish doctors and Icelandic paramedics will be present during the race. The medical team is ready in case of injury or severe exhaustion. A doctor will be patrolling the route and a doctor will stand by in the finish area. If the medical team finds it necessary they can stop a runner and take him/her out of the race. Decisions on taking runners out of the race will only be done if the medical team believes there is a serious health risk in continuing. 

All decisions made by the medical team are final and not up for discussion.

Runners who wish to drop out of the marathon should go to the nearest drink station. Transport to the finish area will be arranged for all runners who leave the race, but please be aware there will be a waiting time. 

If you take daily medicine prescribed by your physician or need any other medication, please inform the race doctors in advance by writing to info@albatros-adventure.com

Merchandise

On race day and at the celebration dinner, a variety of exclusive Iceland Volcano Marathon merchandise such as t-shirts, caps, and jackets can be purchased. 

Personal Belongings

It is possible to deposit bags with personal items in the finish area for use after the race. Runners will also have a personal supply drop on the route at Aid Station C (see Route & Elevation for more details). Please mark your bag clearly with your name and bib number. 

Although the luggage area is manned, depositing personal belongings in the area is entirely each runner’s responsibility and the Iceland Volcano Marathon organizers are not responsible for loss or damage of personal belongings.  

Photos and Certificate

Marathon Photos will take personal photos of all runners. The photos can be purchased after the race from www.marathon-photos.com 

Your Finisher's Certificate will be available for free download.

Prizes and Awards

All finishers receive a medal. A small, symbolic prize is given to the winners for men and women. Please note that there is no prize money.

Race Briefing

Race officials will provide all participants with a race briefing in Akureyri on the second day of the tour, which will cover everything from a preliminary weather forecast to a brief presentation of the important route notes. Race officials and medical staff will be present to answer any questions you may have.

Race Officials Disclaimer

Please note that all decisions made by the race officials and or medical team are final and not up for discussion.

Albatros Adventure Marathons™ reserve the right to change the itinerary and/or running course without further notice in the event of extreme weather. This also includes the decision to cut the course short.

By signing up for this event you agree to the Terms & Conditions of Albatros Adventure Marathons™.

 

Registration

Registration for the Iceland Volcano Marathon is done in combination with booking the 6-day tour package.
Race entry only is not possible.

Click here to register.

Runners residing in Iceland can contact us at info@albatros-adventure.com for details on local registration.

 

Registration Deadlines

Registration for the Iceland Volcano Marathon closes on 10 July 2024. After this date, no new entries will be accepted for the 2024 event.

 

 

Route Map & Elevation Profile

For information on the marathon and half-marathon routes, start and finish line, drink stations and other course-related information, see Route & Elevation.

Rules & Regulations

In compliance with Icelandic law it is strictly forbidden to walk/run outside the marked trails and roads. Please be respectful of this delicate ecosystem!

Change of Distance: If you decide to change distance during the race, the race result will read FNT (finished no time). All runners who change distances no later than 2 days before race day will be registered accordingly and receive an official time.

Top Finishers: The top three male and female finishers of all distances are the first three to physically cross the finish line regardless of their net time.

Gear: Nordic walking and trekking poles are not allowed.

Strollers/baby joggers are not allowed.

Start / Bib Numbers

You will receive your start/bib number in the race goodie bag.

All runners will receive one bib number that must be worn during the race. It must be attached to the front of your body and readable - both for safety and for photography purposes! The bib numbers are color-coded according to the distance you are running: 

- Full marathon bibs - blue
- Half-marathon - red
- Quarter-marathon - white

Time Taking & Results

The races will be timed using BIB-chip. The BIB-chip is attached on the back of the bib number and will record each runners net finishing time. Do not fold or bend the bib number as it could damage the chip.

On the evening of the race, a complete results list is expected to be ready. There are no age categories. 

Weather

The Icelandic late-summer is not known to be warm... 

Expect temperatures between 5-11 degrees Celsius. If we are lucky, we may see the temperatures rise to 15 degrees Celsius. Icelandic weather is notoriously fickle, and rain is to be expected at some point during your stay, so prepare for a little bit of everything.