Icelandic champion for the 71st Time: Prepared by running to a family reunion

Marathon runner Arnar Pétursson secured the Icelandic championship title in the 100 km race yesterday, finishing in 6 hours and 45 minutes. In doing so, he broke the national record by a full hour and four minutes. This is likely Arnar’s 71st national championship title during his career.

“Yes, I don’t know many others,” he says, laughing, when asked how many people can boast such a number of titles.

Pétursson says his main goal had always been to break the national record in the race. “I’d been looking at this race as an opportunity to break the Icelandic record — that was goal number one, two, and three. This was a recognized race, on an approved course, officially sanctioned by World Athletics.”

Goal exceeded expectations

He had also set himself a time goal, which he says went better than expected.

“I was aiming to maintain an average pace of around fifteen kilometers per hour. That went unbelievably well — I finished with an average pace of 4:03 per kilometer, which is 14.8 on a treadmill. It actually went beyond my expectations.”

The sun made things difficult for the long-distance runners, but Pétursson managed to avoid cramps in the final stretch.

“It was sunny and clear the whole time. Of course, you’re not supposed to complain about sun in Iceland, but having it on you for nearly seven hours is the real deal. You definitely feel hints of cramping. I had to slow down a bit to make sure I didn’t get cramps and could make it to the finish line,” he notes.

Indescribable feeling to finish

The feeling of crossing the finish line was unique, Arnar says, and he believes it’s best to finish a race at home in Iceland, where his family can greet him.

“It’s truly an indescribable feeling to cross the finish line and be with my family. I had my second child with my wife, Sara Björk, in March, and our daughter Salka Sigrún is three and a half years old. Being able to do this in Iceland with my entire family and friends there makes the victory even sweeter. Then it’s basically impossible to hold back the tears,” he says.

Ran 66 kilometers to a family reunion

Pétursson says his preparation was a bit unconventional.

“I was doing much longer training runs than before. I ran 50-kilometer training sessions, and then when I was going to a family reunion in Borgarfjörður Eystri, I decided to run there from Egilsstaðir. It was just under 66 kilometers with 1,000 meters of elevation gain. I arrived straight at the bonfire and celebrated with 200 relatives. Even though it was just training, it was an incredible moment.”

He says he’s almost certain he’ll run another 100 km race.

“Next year I will definitely run another 100-kilometer race. I enjoyed it so much — you’re always getting encouragement from other competitors, instead of running alone the whole time,” Pétursson points out.

More fun when training has a purpose

When asked for advice for other runners aiming for success, he says it’s important to have a purpose — to run somewhere rather than just run something .

“I highly recommend giving your training runs more purpose — run somewhere instead of just running for the sake of it. If you need to take a letter to the post office or buy something, jog there and back. Then there’s no option to stop running,” the champion advises.

Finally, he wishes to express his gratitude. “Yes, I want to thank the organizers at Ultraform, Sigurjón Örn and Símóna. They deserve praise for an incredibly well-run event.”