Hengill Ultra Celebrates 15 Years — One of Iceland’s Largest Trail Running Events Returns to Hveragerði
On June 5-6, Hengill Ultra will be held for the fifteenth time. Since the first edition in 2012, the event has grown from an ambitious Icelandic trail race into one of the country’s largest and most recognized trail running festivals, leaving a lasting impact on Icelandic running culture, tourism, and the local community in Hveragerði.
What began as a relatively small initiative centered around mountain running and nature experiences has evolved into an annual event attracting runners from all across Iceland as well as a growing number of international participants. Over the past fifteen years, Hengill Ultra has become a permanent fixture on the Icelandic running calendar and one of the strongest trail running brands in the country.
From Grassroots Project to Trail Running Festival
When the first Hengill Ultra took place in 2012, trail running was still relatively young in Iceland compared to where it stands today. While mountain races certainly existed, the explosive growth in trail and ultra running had not yet fully arrived.
Hengill Ultra emerged at exactly the right moment. The courses offered what many runners were looking for: varied terrain, technical sections, geothermal areas, mountains, lava fields, and a unique proximity to Reykjavík and the capital region. Since then, the Hengill and Reykjadalur area has become one of Iceland’s most popular outdoor destinations for runners, hikers, and travelers alike.
At the same time, the race placed strong emphasis on experience and community rather than competition alone. That approach has proven to be one of the key reasons behind the strong connection between the event and the trail running community.
A Major Influence on Icelandic Trail Running Culture
Over the last decade, Icelandic trail running culture has transformed dramatically. Participation in mountain races and ultra-distance events has increased significantly, and more Icelanders than ever are seeking running experiences connected to nature and longer distances.
Many within the Icelandic running community believe Hengill Ultra has played an important role in that development. For countless runners, the race has served as a gateway into trail running, while also attracting experienced ultra runners looking for technical and demanding courses.
The event has also helped increase international visibility for Icelandic trail running. Images and stories from the geothermal valleys, rugged mountains, and black lava fields surrounding the course have captured the attention of international runners searching for adventurous races in untouched nature.
Hveragerði at the Heart of the Event
For Hveragerði, Hengill Ultra has become an important annual event both culturally and economically. During race weekend, hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, and local businesses fill with runners, supporters, and visitors.
The event has also strengthened the town’s identity as a center for outdoor recreation and wellness tourism. The combination of nature, geothermal landscapes, and trail running has created a unique atmosphere that few places in Iceland can offer in quite the same way.
Local residents and volunteers have also played a vital role from the very beginning. Community involvement has always been one of the cornerstones of the race, and many participants specifically mention the welcoming atmosphere in Hveragerði as one of the highlights of the experience.
Nature Still Comes First
Despite the event’s growth, Hengill Ultra has always emphasized responsibility toward nature. Course design, race organization, and participant education have all been shaped by the need to protect the fragile environment of the area.
This challenge becomes increasingly important as trail running continues to grow in popularity. The organizers have repeatedly emphasized that the runner experience and environmental protection must go hand in hand.
Fifteen Years — and the Future Ahead
When runners gather at the start line on June 5-6, it will represent more than just another race. It marks an important milestone in Icelandic running history. In fifteen years, Hengill Ultra has evolved from a new grassroots project into an established international event that has had a real impact on the development of trail running in Iceland.
The story of Hengill Ultra also reflects a broader shift within Icelandic society, where outdoor recreation, endurance sports, and connection to nature have taken on an increasingly important role in people’s lifestyles.
And just like the very first participants in 2012, runners will once again head out across the trails, mountains, and geothermal landscapes of the Hengill area in early June — now for the fifteenth time.
