Won’t let anything stop her

Arna Magnúsdóttir plans to walk 50 kilometers to mark her 50th birthday on August 15.

Magnúsdóttir will complete the route in several stages, as she has cold-induced epilepsy, which causes seizures when she gets cold. “I sometimes have heart rhythm disturbances and I have epilepsy, but I won’t let anything stop me,” Magnúsdóttir told mbl.is.

She began her journey today at Hveragerði Church and will finish in Skálholt next week. The walk is in support of Ljósið, a rehabilitation and support center for people diagnosed with cancer.

Taking the bus in between

“I’m at the campsite in Selfoss now, and I’m getting free accommodation here until August 15,” says Magnúsdóttir.

As mentioned, Arna will walk the route in stages, relying on public transport between sections since she does not have a car.

“I’ll probably have to walk all the way to Þrastarlundur tomorrow to be able to catch the bus back to Selfoss.”

Magnúsdóttir is an experienced hiker — this summer she has walked from Blönduós to Siglufjörður, and she also took part in the anniversary hike of the outdoor association Útivist, which, like Magnúsdóttir, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.