The Goddess

The race finish line is at a beautiful viewpoint at Goðafoss at an altitude of about 110 m above sea level. The run is west over the Skjálfandafljót river on a footbridge and along National Road 1 over a bridge at Hrúteyjarkvísl. Then we turn south onto Bárðardalsvegur to the west and the run climbs along it, here we are in Bárðardalshraun which flowed 9000 years ago. We turn west onto the driveway to Öxará and there the first slope begins. The run is about 4 km up along gravel and peat to a ford on the Öxará at an altitude of 430 m. The ford is easy, the depth is only mid-calf.

Now head west and for about 7.5 km you will reach a guard post on the crest of Belgsárfjall at an altitude of 830 m. This route is rocky in parts and requires caution. From the guard post you will head southwest to the edge of the mountain (remember to enjoy the view of Fnjóskadalinn!) and after that you will descend 650 m along the mountain ridge to the deserted farm Belgsá, where you have reached 21 km. There is the first refreshment stop in the run.

From Belgsá, run north along a lightly traveled gravel road to the bridge at Illugastaður. Do NOT run over the bridge, but continue east of the river and run north through Þórðarstaðaskógur, the summer cottage area in Lundsskógur and on forest paths through Vaglaskógur to a drinking station after 37 km. It should be noted that Vaglaskógur is one of the largest natural birch forests in the country, along with Hallormsstaðaskógur.

From Vaglaskógur, run west over the old arch bridge at Fnjóská, built in 1908. It is 55 meters long and was for a long time the longest stone arch bridge in the Nordic countries. It is also considered by many to be among the most beautiful structures built in Iceland in the 20th century. From the bridge, run up to the main road and follow it south, almost 3 km to Systragil. Be sure to run on the left side against traffic and be careful.

At Systragil, turn right onto Þingmannalleið, which was the main transportation route between Þingeyjarsýslna and Eyjafjörður through the centuries. Stefan is in the southwest, and headed towards mountain number two in the run. Here there is a 580 m ascent in a 7 km section up to the highest point of the route at Vaðlaheiði at about 680 m altitude. Up on the heath there is a remarkable rock loading from the year 1871. Then the route begins to descend and there is a 660 m descent on a good path through mud and peat to the road north of Eyrarland.

The race is south along the road for about 500 meters and then continues along a path along the main road for about 1.5 km. There you go west across Eyjafjarðarbraut east (carefully!) and run along a gravel road over the old bridges on the Eyjafjarðará River. But this route used to be the main road to Akureyri from the east. Óshólmarnir is a protected area and there is a lot of birdlife. The race is across Eyjafjarðarbraut west on a footpath (carefully!) and up to Kjarnaskógur where there is a drinking station and drop bag. At this drinking station you are allowed to have an assistant. Here you have completed 58 km.

From Kjarnaskógur you run up to the hamrani above the forest, from where there is a good view of the town and the fjord. After about 300 m of elevation on a good path you pass the Gamla scout hut and then continue over the cliffs and past a scout hut called Fálkafell. From there you run down to the Súlubílastäði where there is a refreshment station and 68 km of the run is completed. After this, the approximately 900 m elevation up to the town mountain Súlur begins.

From Súlutindur, continue over to Syðri Súlur and then south along the mountain range, passing Krummi and to Litla Krummi, then turn down into Lambárdalur, over Lambárjökull and up to Lambáröxl. From there down into Glerárdalur to the Lamba hiking hut, where you have reached 82 km. This part of the route is rocky and steep in parts, and we recommend that you proceed with caution. At Lambi, there is a drinking station that is managed by the Súlur rescue team.

From Lambi, the race follows a marked trail 11 km back to the Súlubílastähi. There is a refreshment station and 93 km of the race is over. From there, the route passes over Glerárgil and then follows a recent path known as Fallorka along the Glerá River. Cross Hlíðarbraut and continue along the Glerá River to the University of Akureyri. Finally, the last 2–3 kilometers are run along the streets of the town down to the center of Akureyri where the race ends.

Channel time

The race starts at Goðafoss in two groups.
21.00 First group (runners with less than 600 ITRA points), buses from Hof at 19.45
02.00 Second group (runners with over 600 ITRA points), buses from Hof at 00.45

Time limit

It is estimated that runners in the first group can complete the race in 22 hours and runners in the second group in 17 hours. Runners must therefore meet the following time limits along the route, which are based on the time from the water station.
Kjarnaskógur: first group at 9:00, second group at 11:00
Column parking on the way up: first group at 11:30, second group at 13:00
Column parking on the descent: first group 17:30, second group 18:00
Runners who do not meet this time limit will be required to withdraw from the race. This rule applies to all participants and cannot be negotiated with on-site staff for other options.

Mandatory equipment

Bottle/glass 0.5 l minimum (there will be no glasses at the drinking stations)
A phone with sufficient charge and the emergency number 112 saved along with the race director's phone number: 8600 636
Aluminum blanket with a minimum size of 130 x 200 cm
Headlamp
Flute
Jacket
Buff/hat
Mittens
Elastic band/tape (100 x 5 cm)
Energy equivalent to a minimum of 800 kcal when starting out

The following may be added as mandatory equipment if the weather forecast is poor, will be issued two days before the race:

High socks/calf guards or long pants
Extra sweater
Waterproof mittens
Waterproof jacket

Poles: It is permitted to run with poles, but the rule is that you must run with them the entire race - you start with poles - end with poles.

Participants must, during the race, wear the mandatory equipment and be prepared for race officials to request to see the equipment before the start of the race, during the race and at the finish line. Missing mandatory equipment will result in a time penalty (15–60 minutes added to the participant’s final time, depending on how much mandatory equipment is missing). A participant may be disqualified from the race if a significant amount of mandatory equipment is missing.