Running in Reykjavik

Back when I visited Iceland in the winter a few years ago the city basically opened at 10 to noon. If you run earlier than 9, it's going to be a ghost town.

That might have changed, but that was my experience.

Hallo!

Here in Island we do not do anything running. We no work, either. We sit around and listen to Sigur Ros all day and drink. We printed enough money to cover ourselves for a while; no one does anything anymore.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/oct/05/iceland.creditcrunch

OP, no idea but this should get you pumped up:

http://youtu.be/0QM1QdRpFxU

Probably the best video on the internet. Also a good look at the Icelandic countryside. I love this video:

http://vimeo.com/3977937

Bump

Anybody have any ideas about tracks and so forth in the city?

Thanks for the cool video! Beautiful.

I visited reykjavik in July this year. I couldnt get onto their indoor or outdoor tracks @ Laugardalshöll, both facilities seemed closed/locked up when I ran by. There's a fun trail in south reykjavik by one of the free thermal-springs beaches. I typically would run along the dirt trail that followed the sidewalk along the coast, but obviously there was no snow on the ground.

Jonsi Hjzcerbgerdahd wrote:

Hallo!

Here in Island we do not do anything running. We no work, either. We sit around and listen to Sigur Ros all day and drink. We printed enough money to cover ourselves for a while; no one does anything anymore.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/oct/05/iceland.creditcrunch

Don't listen to a word I say

The screams all sound the same.

Though the truth may vary

this ship will carry our bodies safe to shore

I went there on vacation a few years ago. I was staying in a hotel in the middle of Reykjavik. On Saturday night a lot of people were out on the streets late drinking. I got up early the next morning and the streets were completely empty. What was weird was that the downtown streets were covered in broken glass, each step I ran crunched. I was later told that there is not a lot to do there, so the kids from out of town come into Reykjavik on Saturday night, drink and then smash the beer bottles on the street, every weekend. I finally got a little out of town and the glass ended, and it was a spectacular, beautiful area to run (I was there in summer), very peaceful. When I ran back into town there was a man running a machine, like a street sweeper, going through town sweeping up the glass. Otherwise empty streets. Weird.

google Vik Iceland track and field. there is an outdoor track in Vik.

I have spent quite a lot of time in iceland. it's funny to see from the previous posts how poorly traveled and uneducated americans characterize such an amazing country. the running is excellent, but you will need to be prepared for all conditions. if you have a car, then perhaps it will be significantly better to get into the countryside. if you do not have a car, then this is till ok. your best option is to run toward the harbor (west). there is a running path that goes north from the harbor alongside the ocean. also along this path, you will see a very large stadium on your left. this is where the national team plays soccer/football. there is access to this location in the mornings and afternons when the team is not using the area. the track is all weather inside the stadium, and it is very nice. there is also a very good gym in this area with an Olympic sized pool, and excellent saunas. be aware that the conditions in Iceland will likely not be conducive to fast training with the cold and significant wind. you will enjoy the pure air, nonetheless. road training is excellent in the early morning, as the roads will be very little traveled, especially in the neighborhoods away from the city center. you will find some challenging hills as well. I think you will also find Icelanders very kind and accommodating. have an excellent time!

As with previous posters, my experience in Reykjavik is that the city is dead until noon. Beautiful to run in in the morning during this time, but I don't have any experiences with trails nearby. I ran along the harbor and looked at the mountains across the fjord which was scenery enough for me.

Happy running.