IMFR Marathon Event Island 2019 - HIGHLIGHTS OF ICELAND

IMFR GUIDED BUS TOUR + RUNNING EVENT

Widely known as “The Land of Fire and Ice”, Island is home to both some of the largest glaciers in Europe, and some of the most active volcanoes in the world. Iceland is also the land of light and darkness, where long summer days with near 24-hours of sunlight are offset by short winter days.

Iceland is a fascinating country with friendly people, glacial landscapes, hot springs, geysers, interesting history of Viking and Celtic heritage, and is the home of the famous Icelandic sagas, and not so far from continental Europe and North America!

THE LITTLE CAPITAL WITH THE BIG HEART

With a population of 120,000, Reykjavík is not a whirlwind metropolis. Few skyscrapers grace the skyline, traffic jams are rare and faces are familiar. But don’t be deceived-a steady beat of energy and events keeps the city alive and pulsing with excitement.

Sunny days feel like spontaneous holidays in Reykjavík. Sunbathers and picnickers fill Austurvöllur, the green square in front of Parliament; locals and tourists alike stroll up and down Laugavegur, the main drag, shopping, stopping for coffee, and people watching. The thirsty jockey for sparse outdoor seating at bars as happy hour rolls around. Crooning buskers line the sidewalk; performance artists stage surprise acts; maybe a marching band appears from the ether. Anything can happen.

The Reykjavík Marathon

The Reykjavík Marathon is an annual marathon set in Reykjavík, Iceland, held to coincide with the city’s Cultural Night Festival in mid-August. It has taken place every year since 1984. Along with the full marathon a half marathon and several races of shorter distances are arranged.

Timetable in Laekjargata on August 24th 2019

08:40 Marathon and Half Marathon
09:35 10 km
12:15 3 km Fun Run
13:30 600 m Fun Run – start 1
14:00 600 m Fun Run – start 2
16:10 End of race timing

The time limit for the marathon is 7 hours and 30 minutes.
Please note that this time table is a subject to change

ITINERARY

DAY 1 (FRI. 16.08): ARRIVAL (approx. 50 km)

Arrival at Keflavik International Airport.  Transfer with Airport Shuttle Bus to your hotel in Reykjavik.
Overnight in Reykjavík: Fosshotel Raudara (or similar)

DAY 2 (SAT. 17.08): GOLDEN CIRCLE – VIK – KLAUSTUR (approx. 370 km)

After breakfast you will be picked up by our guide and we depart for the first day of our tour visiting three of the most famous sites in Iceland along the “Golden Circle”.
Our first stop is at Thingvellir, a historical site where the Icelandic parliament was founded in the 10th century.  It is also on the UNESCO World Heritage List and considered one of the geological wonders of the world where you will see astonishing fissures and lava fields.  After visiting this remarkable site we continue our drive to the Geysir area where the hot spring Strokkur ejects its water column high into the air every 5-10 minutes and where numerous small springs boil and bubble. Then we continue to Gullfoss, surely one of the country’s most beautiful waterfalls.

We now head towards Iceland’s South Region, all the way to the small Vík village. We will stop at different places along the way, the first of them being the Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, a small but a very picturesque waterfall, special not only for its beauty but also because it is actually possible to walk behind it.  Skógar village is the next place of interest.  There we will have a look at the Skógafoss Waterfall, one of the highest in Iceland. 

We continue our drive to Vík village, located in an idyllic setting famous for the Reynisdrangar pillars that rise from the sea just off the shore. We will take a refreshing walk on the Reynisfjara beach, a magnificent black sand beach with basalt columns of all sizes and shapes, before we continue to our hotel near Kirkjubæjarklaustur.

 Overnight in Kirkjubæjarklaustur area: Fosshotel Nupar (or similar)

DAY 3 (SUN. 18.08.): SKAFTAFELL – JÖKULSÁRLÓN – GLACIER LAGOON – HÖFN ( approx. 250 km)

This is a day with views of some of the country’s most spectacular landscapes.  

From Kirkjubæjarklaustur we continue over the Skeidarársandur black sand plains to Skaftafell National Park, a breathtaking area right under Vatnajökull Glacier and known for its unique natural features.

Here you can choose between many different hiking trails through the park and visit beautiful waterfalls like Svartifoss (approx. 1 ½ hour hike – 4 km round trip). 

From Skaftafell we drive along the southern side of Vatnajökull to the glacier lagoon, Jökulsárlón.

Optional: Here you have the possibility to sail out between the numerous icebergs that fill the lagoon (30 – 40 min. boat tour) and take time to walk around in the beautiful surroundings. 

Afterwards we continue to the small town of Höfn for overnight.

Overnight in Höfn area: Hotel Edda Höfn (or similar)

DAY 4 (MON. 19.08.): HÖFN – EAST FJORDS (approx. 270 km)

Today’s journey takes us north through the sheltered East Fjords and their small fishing villages. 

We drive through the charming villages of Breiðdalsvík and Djúpivogur where we make a short stop to enjoy the scenery. 

Then we continue to Stöðvarfjörður where you have the option to visit Petra’s famous stone collection (entrance not included).

We also pass through the villages of Fáskrúðsfjörður and Reyðarfjörður before we arrive in Egilsstaðir area where we find our accommodation for the night. It is safe to say that this is surely a day with great mountain views.

Overnight in Egilsstaðir area; Hotel Valaskjalf (or similar)

DAY 5 (TUE. 20.08.): EGILSSTAÐIR – DETTIFOSS – HUSAVIK (approx. 280)

From Egilsstaðir we drive through the desert highlands of Möðrudalur. 

We stop at the mighty Dettifoss, Iceland’s and Europe’s most powerful waterfall, which thunders 44 meters into a deep gorge.  You will literally feel the earth tremble beneath your fee t so be careful around the edges as they may be slippery.

Next stop is at Ásbyrgi, a horse-shoe-shaped gorge reputed to be the hoof print of Odin’s eight-legged horse Sleipnir.

We continue to drive around the attractive stretch of the coastline of Tjörnes peninsula until we arrive at the charming village of Húsavík

Optional: In Husavik you have the possibility to go on an exciting whale & bird watching tour where we hopefully will be able to observe some of the whales, dolphins and sea birds that live an frequently visit Icelandic shores.  On board you experience the aura of past times in Icelandic coastal culture by setting sails or even assisting the skipper. The sailing ship takes you to Lundey, the Puffin Island, as well as the traditional whale watching areas (3 hour boat tour- English commentary and light refreshments on board; hot chocolate & cinnamon rolls).

Overnight in Husavik: Fosshotel Husavik (or similar)

DAY 6 (WED. 21.08.): MÝVATN – AKUREYRI (approx. 180 km)

In the morning we turn our way towards Lake Mývatn where we spend the rest of the day exploring the wonders around the lake which is one of Iceland’s most interesting regions with fantastic volcanic formations, geothermal activity and the lake itself, teeming with bird life, particularly ducks.  We take a walk at the Dimmuborgir lava formations and also a look at the Skutustadir pseudocraters. We visit the amazing boiling mud pools and steam vents of Námaskard, and then the Krafla area, where a series of volcanic eruptions took place from 1975-1984.

MYVATN NATURE BATHS

And we also take a relaxing bath in the Myvatn Nature Baths (entrance and towel rental included).  The water supplies for the lagoon run straight from the National Power Company´s bore hole in Bjarnarflag.  The water has a temperature of about 130°C when it arrives to the huge basin beside the lagoon itself forming an impressive, man-made hot spring. Altogether, the lagoon and the basin contain around 3.5 million litres of water with a temperature of 36 – 40°C.  The lagoon itself is a man-made construction; its bottom is covered by sand and gravel. The characteristics of the water are unique in many ways.  It contains a large amount of minerals and is well suited for bathing.

Leaving Myvatn in direction to Akureyri we stop en route at the Goðafoss waterfall, the waterfall of the pagan gods, a spectacular waterfall which is closely connected with one of the most important event in Icelandic history, the conversion to Christianity from heathendom in the year 1000.

Finally we make our way to Akureyri, the major town in North Iceland. We visit the town with its beautiful church and botanical gardens, or shop at leisure.  If you are up to it you might even want to race your fellow travelers up and down the church stairs, a popular thing to do when in Akureyri.

Overnight in Akureyri: Hotel Edda Akureyri (or similar)

DAY 7 (THUR. 22.08.): AKUREYRI – SKAGAFJÖRDUR – REYKJAVIK (approx. 450 km)

Continuing our drive we reach the Skagafjörður valley which is known for horse breeding and many of the Icelandic horses can be seen grazing the fields.

As we approach the village of Varmahlíð we make a short detour where you hve the option to visit the Glaumbær museum, which is one of the best-preserved turf farmhouses in Iceland, located just north of Varmahlíð (entrance not included).

From Hrútafjörður we drive to Borgarfjörður, an area rich with cultural and historical heritage.  We visit Reykholt where the 13th century author Snorri Sturluson lived and the splendid waterfalls Barnafoss and Hraunfossar where the water flows out from beneath a lava field into the river below.  We also stop at Deildartunguhver, Iceland’s largest hot spring (in terms of water production per second) before arriving in Reykjavík.

Overnight in Reykjavík: Hotel Exeter https://www.keahotels.is/en/hotels/exeter-hotel

DAY 8 (FRI. 23.08.):- REYKJAVIK)

IMFR marathon 2019 shirts to be distributed, marathon expo with collecting marathon entries and visiting marathon fair; Reykjavik Pasta Party as private function organized by local Rotarians.

Walking tour of Reykjavik Centre 3-5 pm,
Guided by Anna Stefánsdóttir (DG 2019-2020) and Tryggvi Pálsson (DG 2011-2012)

   Outline:
Departure from Exceter Hotel, Tryggvagata 12
Walk past the old harbor to Harpan, Concert Hal along the shore to the Sólfar sculptur
Höfði House where Reagan and Gorbachev met
Pass by Hlemmur Food Court
Look in on the oldest Reykjavik Swimming Pool
Hallgrímskirkja (church)
Walk down Skólavörðustígur and pass by the old prison
Stjórnarráðshúsið (Prime Ministers Office
Parliament House
City Hall where the tour officially ends but those who want to see the small but high-tech Settlement Museum nearby in Aðalstræti will be guided there.

DAY 9 (SAT. 24.08.):- REYKJAVIK MARATHON DAY

Registration information see https://www.rmi.is/en/articles/next-races

Reykjavik Farewell Dinner Party as private function

DAY 10 (SUN. 25.08.):- REYKJAVIK – END OF TOUR

Tour ends after breakfast.

Transfer with Airport Shuttle Bus from hotel in Reykjavik for departure to Keflavik International Airport.

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Rates per person share twin EUR 3.039,– / Single Supplement EUR 1.049,–

This quote includes the following services:

Arrival / departure transfer with airport shuttle bus (Flybus)

1 night in Reykjavik in rooms with private facilities with breakfast

5 nights in country hotels farms or schools including breakfast in rooms with private facilities

5 x dinner in hotels outside Reykjavik

Roundtrip in private bus with local English-speaking tour guide for 6 days according to itinerary above

Entrance to Naturbath Myvatn

Whale watching in Husavik (aprox 3 hrs.)

3 Nights in Exeter Hotel Reykjavik with breakfast

https://www.keahotels.is/en/hotels/exeter-hotel

Optional:

Boat trip on Jöulsárlón: 58 € / pers.

This quote does not includes the following services:

Lunch during the tour.

Dinners in Reykjavik

Boat trip on Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon (30-40 min.)

Other excursions or admission fees.

Drinks other than water, coffee/tea with included meals.

Marathon Entry, official IMFR Marathon Shirt, donation

Pasta and Farewell Party in Reyjkavik

International flights

optional activities

tips and other personal expenses

insurance: We recommend insurance which covers cancellation fees in case of sickness (doctor’s certificate will be needed). We also strongly recommend private health insurance.

Marathon Weekend only, in: Thursday 22nd August out Sunday, 25. August

Share twin EUR 515,– / Single Supplement EUR 410,– limited rooms available on request. Extension nights on request. No transfers included

The calculation is based on min 20 adults travelling. If this minimum will not be reached the tour may be cancelled by DERTOUR until 4 weeks before departure.

As agreed on our IMFR trip to Australia and New Zealand, friends of IMFR members are welcome to join. Bookings for friends will be confirmed after the deadline of 31st March 2019, up to which date IMFR members will have the exclusive right of booking.

Bookings will be handled on a first come first served basis.

The traveller is responsible for the adherence of the respective entry requirements, tax and health regulations.

Booking form (PDF) is online – see atachement. Please no handwriting on booking form – only signature. Please save form on PC in,  fill out – scan and mail to info@rotarianrun.org.

Terms and conditions may be downloaded from the bottom of this site.

Legal Tour Operator

DERTOUR

Emil-von-Behring-Straße 6

60439 Frankfurt

Telefon +49 69 9588-00

Sitz: Köln

Amtsgericht: Köln HRB 53152 USt-IdNr.: DE811177889 Geschäftsführer:

René Herzog (Sprecher),

Klaus Franke, Michael Kimmer, Matthias Rotter, Mark Tantz,

Dr. Dirk Tietz, Stephanie Wulf