This year, for the first time, Reykjavik Marathon will be offering a relay race over the marathon distance for teams composed of two to four runners. The course is the same as for the individual marathon, with the same start and finish points.

The course
There are four legs in the marathon relay. Exchange points are just beyond the timing mats at 10 km, 20 km, and 30 km.

For a team of four runners the first, second and third legs are 10 km and the final leg is 12.2 km. For a team of two runners, the first leg is 20 km and the second leg 22.2 km. Relay runners have to organize their own transport to and from exchange points.

Participants
The relay race form suits a wide range of runners. If you have run a half-marathon but are not sure you can manage a full marathon, you could run 30 km and get a friend to run the final 12.2 km. The relay is also ideal if you want to run 10 km, but prefer not to run the official 10 km race route. If one family member is running the full marathon, you and three others could show your support by keeping him or her company and taking part in the relay race at the same time. The minimum age limit for the relay is 12 years.

Registration
The team must be registered by one team member, who is responsible for paying the registration fee. Each team member must be registered for a particular leg. The registration fee is the same for teams of two or of four. The team member who registers the team has access to “My Pages” and can see the team’s details and keep track of sponsors and donations (see Running for charity below).

Race numbers
Each relay team receives four race bibs with the same number. For additional safety and security, runners are encouraged to write their names and details on the back of their race number. Each relay team will receive one timing chip (see Time-keeping below).

Changes to relay teams
If a relay team member is unable to compete, another member of the team may run an additional leg. Race numbers may not be passed on to anyone who is not a registered member of the team. As is the case for other distances in the Islandsbanki Reykjavik Marathon, no registration fees will be refunded. If 1 – 3 team members withdraw from the team and the remaining team members do not wish to run an additional leg, they are permitted to take part in the 10 km race upon payment of a change fee. Changes can be made at the race expo the day prior to the race, or by sending an email to Þetta tölvupóstfang er varið gegn ruslpóstsþjörkum, Þú verður að hafa JavaScript virkt til að sjá það. before 18 August 2010.

Timing
As for other race distances in the Reykjavik Marathon, the ChampionChip timing system will be used for the relay race. Each team will be given one disposable timing chip. The chip should be attached with a Velcro strap (in your race pack) at ankle height, no higher than 40 cm from the ground (see picture below). Do not hold the chip in your hand (because a timing chip is unable to record a time if it is more than 40 cm from the ground). The chip should be passed on to the next team member at each exchange point. If the team does not use the timing chip, no official time will be obtained.

Prizes
Prizes will be awarded to the three teams with the best aggregate times. All participants in the relay race receive a medal. Participant medals are handed out at the finish of each leg.

Running for charity
All participants in the Islandsbanki Reykjavik Marathon can run for charity. Both relay teams and participants in the individual races can be sponsored. Relay team leaders can keep track of his/her team’s sponsorship on “My Pages” and can send friends and family requests for sponsorship. Relay teams will be able to select their charity after the beginning of February, when charities have registered with Reykjavik Marathon. For more information about Reykjavik Marathon fundraising, click here.

Registration documents
Race packs should be picked up at the race expo the day before the race (one team member can collect all his/her team’s race packs).

As in other distances in the Reykjavik Marathon, relay registration fees increase nearer to the race (Late Bird registration). For this reason, we recommend Early Bird registration. The registration fee includes T-shirt, free entrance to the swimming-pool, pasta feast, course marshalling, water stations, etc.

For further information about the relay, contact us by email at Þetta tölvupóstfang er varið gegn ruslpóstsþjörkum, Þú verður að hafa JavaScript virkt til að sjá það. .

Click to see bigger picture.