The Oldest Terrain Run in Iceland, this years run takes place on 1st July 2023

Thorvaldsdalur Terrain Run is the oldest terrain run in Iceland. It took place for the first time in 1994 and every year since. The run is held early July each year in the Þorvaldsdalur Valley in northern Iceland (about 20 km north of Akureyri town).

The Þorvaldsdalur Valley is peculiar in the sense that it opens in both directions, in the south to Hörgárdalur Valley and to the north to Árskógsströnd by the coast of Eyjafjördur fjord. The run starts by the farm Fornhagi in Hörgárdalur Valley at 90 m above sealevel. The finish line is by Árskógsskóli school at about 60 m above sealevel. The highest point of the run is about 500 m above sealevel. The total distance is aprox. 25 km.

Challenging terrain
The terrain is probably the most challenging a runner can meet and far different from the street runs most runners are used to.
The first part is relatively steep and in about 5 km you have reached 500 m above sealevel. Soon after that you get to the highest point and the rest of the run is downhill.
Most of the time you run in the wilderness with sheeptracks as your best choice. The sheeptracks dissapear in some places altogether and you run over cushions, stones and mires in places. There is even an old rock avalanche that has to be passed.

Registration
Registration fee is ISK 10000 (2021), online registration will open soon on hlaup.is.

Included in the registration fee:
A medal for each competitor and prizes from 66°North for three first in both male and female class
Dryfit shirt from 66°North (if registered before 8 pm on Sunday June 30th)
Bus from the finish to the start which leaves at 11 am.
Water and sportdrinks at four stations during the run.
Refreshment at Finish
Security on the way, transportation in case of need.
Free visit to the swimmingpool at Dalvík.

Map of the area showing where to gather before the run (in case you want your car to be accessible at the goal) and where the start is.

More information: https://sites.google.com/a/umse.is/thorvaldsdalur_english/