Even though summer is over in Iceland, according to the calendar, there is no need to start taking it easy or going into hibernation. There are plenty of autumn races on the schedule for September and October.
Run with your heart
One of these races is the World Heart Day Run (Hjartadagshlaupið) held by the Icelandic Heart Association. The race has two distances on offer, 5K and 10K. The race starts and ends at the sports stadium in Kópavogur. The route takes you along the Kársnes peninsular – the 10K runners go all the way around the peninsular and back but the 5K runners only go half the way. The course is fairly flat and on asphalt walking paths along the seaside.
There are prizes for the first man and woman in each distance but for those of us not in the front line there is always the hope of winning the raffle prices. All participants are invited to the swimming pool in Kópavogur after the race.
The weather in Iceland is always unpredictable but the increasing probability of heavy wind and rain in autumn races only makes it sweeter to cross the finish line even if a PB is out of reach. It is so refreshing running in the crisp autumn air and admire the inspiring colors.
The race
The race will be held on the 23rd of September 2017 and starts at 10 am. There is no registration fee but participants need to register here.
Kópavogur is only a 10 minute drive from Reykjavik city centre.
