Mt. Esja Marathon
The Mt. Esja marathon, a 43 km race with a total elevation gain of 3580 m, is the only true mountain and sky-marathon in Iceland.
The course takes you several different routes up and around the mountain, varying in terms of difficulty with breathtaking views of the surrounding areas.
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This is a demanding and technical course for experienced trail and ultra runners.
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Distance: 43km
Vertical gain and loss: 3580m
Time limit: Cut off time for the last ascent is 4 pm.
Registration fee: 14.900 ISK
The race gives 3 ITRA / UTMB points
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Maximum number of runners: 100
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The race will start on the 18th of June at 8:00 am
Start location: Esjustofa
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Please pick-up your bib number at the 66°North Flagship Store (Faxafen 12, 108 Reykjavik) from 12:00-18:00 on the 16th of June.
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The course is marked but runners are encouraged to download the GPX file and upload to a GPS watch or device.
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COURSE DESCRIPTION
1. climb and descent: ESJUSTOFA-KERHÓLAKAMBUR
8,5 km 816m
From the starting line, you head west on a gravel road parallel to the highway. You turn right on a trail towards „Esjuberg“. There you run to a canyon on the east side of the mountain where you start the climb. The first part of the climb is steep and rocky and and large quantities of snow are always present on the upper slopes. When you reach the top (Kerholakambur) you will see the checkpoint. You follow the same path on the way down except for the last part, where you turn to the right towards a cliff in direction of the sea. Go slowly and take care as the last 100m of the descent through the cliffs are very steep and technical.
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2. climb and descent: GLJÚFURDALUR-ÞVERFELLSHORN
11,3 km 816m
After the descent you go back into the canyon but continue through the valley „Gljufurdalur“. Be careful when you go over the rocky ridge and don‘t forget to enjoy the scenery. The path continues upstream until you reach the second checkpoint "the Rock or „Steinn“. From Steinn you climb all the way to the top of „Þverferllshorn“ where the third checkpoint is located. You follow the same path to Steinn (Checkpoint), but after that you turn left and follow a gravel road until you turn left on the "NÍPAN" downhill trail (NEW 2021). After descending you turn right and follow a wide stony trail through the forest and all the way to Esjustofa (Aid Station).
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3. climb and descent: BLUE steep trail TO THE STONE (NEW 2021)
9,9km 632km
After the stop at the aid station at Esjustofa you follow the same path all the way up to "Steinn" (Checkpoint). Then you go straight back down to Esjustofa via the south path.
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4. climb and descent: FOREST TRAIL TO THE STONE
7km 632m
On the fourth climb to the Steinn (checkpoint) you go through the small forest (No 4 on the map) until you reach the same gravel path as on the second downhill and third climb. You follow that path all the way to Steinn "The Rock" before descending back the south path to Esjustofa.
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5. CLIMB: MT. ESJA VERTICAL LAP
7km 600m
The last climb is the classic route (straight up) up to Steinn "The Rock" and then the east route down. You start by running a 700m loop near Esjustofa before heading up the last climb. The finish line will be waiting for you at Esjustofa after your last descent.
Elevation chart for the Mt. Esja Marathon
