Mýrdalshlaupið 2025

Mýrdalshlaupið, a fun and challenging trail running race in a stunning environment will be held for the eleventh time on Saturday, May 31, 2025. Registration begins on Friday, January 10 at 12 o’clock noon and you can then click on the registration link above.

Racing distances

There will be three distances: 21 km with 1000 m elevation gain and almost 10 km with 400 m elevation gain. There will also be a 3 km fun run.

• 21 km - 1100 meters elevation gain - Starts at 11:00 - ITRA approved course that gives 1 point

• 10 km - 490 meters elevation gain - Starts at 11:00

• 3 km fun run - Starts at 11:30

Registration, entry fee and submission of data

Registration takes place at netskraning.is and begins on Friday, January 10, 2025 at 12 noon. Registration for 10 km and 21 km will close either when the maximum number of participants is reached or at midnight on May 25.

• 21 km - Entry fee is 9,000 kr - 18 years (in the year) age limit

• 10 km - Entry fee is 6,500 kr - 16 years (in the year) age limit

• 3 km fun run - Free - No age limit

Other

• The maximum number of participants is 500 people for 21 km and 10 km in total.

• There will be no waiting list for the race, no refunds will be possible, but name changes are allowed.

• Delivery of registration data will be announced later.

• Included in the entry fee is a well marked course with plenty of safety personnel, timing with a chip, participation award, participation medal and refreshments after the race.

Location and running routes

Runners meet at Víkurskóli municipality school in Vík í Mýrdal about 30 minutes before the start and the group walks/jogs together down to Víkurfjara beach where the race will start. Expect a 5-10 minute walk.

The route will be well marked and there will be plenty of staff on the route. There will be two aid stations  in the 21 km race (4.5 km and 13 km) and one in the 10 km race (4.5 km).

You can see the 10 km and 21 km race routes on a map at the bottom of the page.

The 3 km route:

The fun run starts at the sports center and runs along Reynisfjall to the shore. There is a sandy path with a mixture of sedge and grass. Before you get to the shore, turn left onto the embankment, which is actually a gravel road, and run along it over a footbridge over the Víkurá River. There you turn left and run a short distance on the asphalt before turning left again onto a gravel path and over another footbridge. From there the route runs straight to the finish line along a paved road.

10 km route:

The race starts in Víkurfjara beach. The race is towards Reynisdrangar rock formation along the sand for approximately 600 m. You turn up from the beach up to Reynisfjall and run along the mountain. You then enter Víkurbraut, which is a paved road. You run along Víkurbraut until you reach Bakkaskarð, where you turn left up the slope. The route then runs along a gravel road up to Reynisfjall. Once you have crossed the cattle grid on the edge of Reynisfjall, you turn left onto a narrow path that runs along the entire edge of the mountain. The view of Vík and Reynisdrangar is magnificent on this section of the route.

There will be an aid station at the top of the mountain after approx. 4.5 km (by a house that stands there) and then the race continues along the western edge of the mountain. When you have come down Reynisfjall on the west side, turn right and go back up the mountain along an old gravel road over the mountain, i.e. towards Vík. From there, the race takes the same route back down to the village. The finish line is at the sports center.

The 10 km route can be viewed in more detail here: https://tracedetrail.com/en/trace/trace/128844

The 21 km route:

The longer race is on the same track as the shorter run at the beginning but turns off after approx. 7 km. Then the track is along Reynisfjall to the north instead of going down to the village like 10km race does.

This section is either sheep tracks or gravel and peat with no path in parts. The route descends from the mountain through a small ravine, where a chain has been installed to help runners descend the steepest part. Run along the mountainside and then cross the highway and run along an old road up to Hatta mountain. There is a considerable climb and the last kilometer of running is off-trail. Most people consider this to be the most difficult part of the route. From the top of Hatta the run down is very enjoyable down on footpaths down to Vík village. There are various steep sections with flat sections in between. Part of this route is quite steep and can be difficult for tired legs. The race ends at the sports center, like the shorter race. The surface of the race is approximately 80% on paths and trails, 18% off-trail and 2% on asphalt.

Please note that the 21 km race is challenging and only for runners who are somewhat experienced in trailrunning. It is a technical course with steep descents in some sections.

This course is recognized by ITRA and awards 1 point and ITRA points. Here is a link to the ITRA race page.

The 21 km course can be viewed in more detail here: https://tracedetrail.com/en/trace/trace/120682

Cut off time

There will be a cut off time for the 21 km race.

Runners must pass the halfway point in less than 2,5 hours.