Run Iceland 4th – 11th September 2011
A relatively new multiday race in the ultra calander. Organised by a group of experienced Italians with input from their great friend and legend Marco Olmo (UTMB race winner) who even this year at +60 yrs old finished 11th in the Marathon des Sables. Marco won the inaugural event last year and came back to defend his crown.
The race runs over 6 days with 5 stages and a 110 km in total. In general the shorter stages are run in the mornings with organized sightseeing in the afternoon.
The stages are run in different locations in Iceland and have appropriate stage names such as “black and white” for example where you run around the foot of one of the famous Icelandic glaciers and then finish with a few km’s along the classic black sand beaches. The stages being fairly short are run at a quicker pace than a regular ultra trail, the last stage a ½ marathon with 700m+ climbing was won in 1hr 26 for example.
An excellent race with an excellent atmosphere and of course winning it in front of the legendary Marco Olmo was the “icing on the cake”.
My high points? The natural hot spring baths with lovely mountain scenery at the end of the marathon stage and seeing the northern lights two nights on the trot !!!
The video can be seen by following the link below: Peter Fairhurst.