Suzuki Midnight Sun Run (Miðnæturhlaup)

The course

The race starts on Engjavegur in front of Laugardalshöll, the sports hall, and finishes on the Þvottalaugavegur path behind the ice rink, only a few metres from the start line. All three distances share this start and finish area in Laugardalur; the Laugardalslaug geothermal pool, used for the after-party, is next door. The half marathon is AIMS-measured and the organiser publishes GPX files and an elevation profile on its race-maps page.

Most of the course is on paths rather than closed roads, so you share some sections with traffic crossings and must follow the marshals. The organiser warns runners to take care on and beside streets because not all of them are closed. No pacers are provided, but staff on bikes ride in front of the first runner and behind the last. Runners may not be accompanied by anyone on foot, bike or vehicle, and dogs are not allowed.

Starts are staggered by ticket type: the competition ticket group starts the 10 km and half marathon together at about 20:40 and the general group at 20:50. Timing is by chip. After the finish, all participants get access to a refreshment station and free entry to the Laugardalslaug pool for a pool party with a DJ, if they show their bib.

How to enter

Registration is open now for 24 June 2027 through the timing partner Corsa and stays open until 60 minutes before the race or until the tickets run out. Registration for the following year opens the day after the race. You choose a general ticket, which lets you run without competing for prizes and does not record your result with the Icelandic Athletics Federation (FRÍ), or a competition ticket, which records your time with FRÍ, makes you eligible for prizes and means the time can be used to enter other competitive races.

Adult half-marathon prices for 2027 were 7,650 kr as 'super early bird' (the page does not give its end date), 8,160 kr until 21 April, 10,200 kr from 22 April to 23 June and 12,240 kr if you register at the expo. Teenagers aged 15 to 17 pay less (6,600 to 10,560 kr), and the 10 km and 5 km are cheaper. The ticket includes the medal, the certified course and the pool party. No refunds or deferrals are made, but you can transfer your ticket to another runner, change distance on 'My Pages' (paying any difference) and groups of ten or more get a discount. The half marathon needs you to be 15.

How to train for it

Train for a cool, windy evening

The race is in the evening in a country where the organiser itself says midsummer air is cool and nights cold. Do some of your long runs in the evening with a windbreaker so that clothing choices on the day are no surprise.

Practise on paths and in a crowd

Much of the course is on paths and you will pass on narrow sections, with a field of about 2,500 over three distances. Run path and park sessions with turns and short climbs rather than only a straight road.

Pace to the median, not the winner

The middle of the half-marathon field finished in about 2 h 02 min in 2026 and the last in just over 3 hours, so a steady 5:45 to 6:00 per km is typical. Decide your pace group before the start, since the start is staggered by ticket type.

Choose the right ticket

If you want an official FRÍ-recorded time you need the competition ticket; the general ticket is for running without a certified result. Decide at registration because the start groups differ.

What you need

• Your bib and the QR code from the confirmation email for race-package pick-up (Laugardalshöll from 15:00 on race day, which closes at 20:00)
• A windbreaker or light rain jacket for the start; the organiser's own advice for Iceland even in summer
• Bag drop at the ice rink, Skautahöll, which opens at 19:00 and closes at midnight
• Swimming costume and towel for the free pool party at Laugardalslaug after the race; show your bib at the door
• Running shoes for mixed path and tarmac, and your own watch since there are no pacers

Getting there and staying

Laugardalur is in Reykjavík itself. Keflavík International Airport is about 50 km away, and the organiser's travel pages cover getting to the start, transport and parking: it warns of traffic disturbance in the area from 19:00 to midnight on race day, so walk, cycle or use the bus. Many runners stay in the city, and the organiser lists hotels on its accommodation page.

Race packages are collected at Laugardalshöll; for 2026 that was on the Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon at a shop (Fætur Toga) and on the Thursday from 15:00. Bag storage is in Skautahöll from 19:00. After the race there is the pool party from about 21:30, with awards for 5 km, 10 km and the half marathon at around 20:50, 21:45 and 22:30. Timing stops and the course closes at midnight.

Where to find out more

• Registration and entry fee (opens in a new tab): How entry works, the general and competition tickets, and what the fee includes.
• Pricelist 2027 (opens in a new tab): The price steps for each distance and age group.
• Race day programme (opens in a new tab): Start times, bag storage, pool party and when timing stops.
• Race maps (opens in a new tab): Course maps, elevation profiles and GPX files for the three distances.
• Results 2026 (Corsa) (opens in a new tab): Half marathon, general ticket; the competition ticket list is at /457/overall. Used for the median time on this page.
• FAQ (opens in a new tab): Age limits, race-package pick-up, refunds and transfers, time limit.