What we do
Arctic Running offers trail running tours for people that like to exercise and enjoy nature at the same time. While you are on the go you get to explore the environment and our tours make sure that you enjoy the best of each season. We offer both day tours and longer overnight tours in Iceland. We also offer full service for participation in trail races in Iceland.
Arctic Running specializes in combining running and traveling for people who have done some running and want to experience what Iceland has to offer. Our guides are some of the most experienced runners in Iceland and frequently take part in trail running events and longer running tours. With our wide selection of running tours, from demanding or strenuous runs with 20 - 35 km / 13 - 21 mi per day to moderate runs with 5 - 10 km / 3 - 6 mi per day, all runners should find something that suits them for travelling around Iceland.
If you are planning a vacation in Iceland and want to experience the pure Icelandic nature and be able to exercise each day as well, then why not try one of our tours. Our guides will help you enjoy trail running in Iceland whilst exploring the environment and its beautiful nature.
We began by planning tours that we would go on ourselves where we could run as well. So we started using running as a way to travel and realized it’s probably the ideal way for all runners. So with our experience from the running, guiding, managing, tourism and travel industry we managed to design tours especially for runners. Keeping in mind that runners not only want to run but also enjoy spectacular natural surroundings and what it has to offer.
Who we are
Birgir Sævarsson, Manager, running guide
Birgir is our front runner. He fell in love with trail running after 14 years of road racing. He focused on the marathon distance and has four 2:35ish marathons under his belt. Birgir is very dedicated and passioned runner. He thrives on challenges and moved to ultra distance mountain runs in 2013.
Elísabet Margeirsdóttir, General Manager, running guide
Elisabet has been a passionate runner for over ten years and ran her first marathon in 2005. Since 2009 she has competed in many ultra trail races like Laugavegur Ultra in Iceland, Ultra Trail Mt. Fuji in Japan, Ultra Trail du Mt. Blanc (UTMB, TDS and CCC), Lavaredo Ultra Trail and Transgrancanaria. Elisabet is addicted to exploring new trails and enjoys the post run bliss with a trip to the local pool, beer and delicious food.
Birkir Már, running guide
Birkir is a practicing physical therapist who loves running. He has participated in various running events since childhood with good results. Running in the middle of scenic pearls of nature, however, is by far his favorite type of running.
Probably the country´s only male who has more shoes than his wife, Birkir is slightly obsessed with running shoes. If asked, he is more than happy to discuss and give advice concerning running shoes, running form, injuries or other running related matters. Moreover, in addition to guiding you and lending you the eyes of a native, you´re in good hands if you sprain an ankle :O)
Birkir speaks excellent English, Swedish and (obviously) Icelandic.
Inga Dagmar, running guide
Inga Dagmar is a physiotherapist, biologist and a guide. Her passions in life are outdoor and physical activities. Inga has been a member of the Icelandic Rescue Team since 1991 and works with geoformating information systems and mapping hydrology and avalanches along with guiding. She love´s running, biking, hiking, skiing and kayaking.
Guðmundur Guðnason, running guide
Guðmundur is a runner with years of experience on roads and on the trails. Multiple marathons and several ultra distance competitions.
While not out running you might see him biking, possibly practicing for a triathlon or a bike race. Trail running in the Icelandic nature is his favorite.
