Trip Report: Iceland Ring Road (Route 1) – New FKT
Athlete: Ryan Keeping
Route: Iceland Ring Road (Route 1)
Distance: ~1,389 km / 863 miles
Time: 14 days, 13 hours, 37 minutes, 46 seconds
Date: September 2025
Style: Supported
The Goal
For years, I’ve been inspired by the challenge of Iceland’s Ring Road: a rugged 1,389 km loop that circumnavigates one of the most unique landscapes on Earth. With its mountains, glaciers, volcanoes, endless stretches of open road, and notoriously unpredictable weather, the Ring Road presents one of the most difficult ultrarunning objectives in the world. My goal was simple but daunting: run the entire Ring Road, starting and finishing in Reykjavík, and set the fastest known time.
The Run
I began at Hallgrímskirkja Church in Reykjavík, an iconic landmark that became both the starting line and, two weeks later, the finish.
Each day averaged around 95–100 km. The schedule was relentless: wake up, fuel, run, recover, repeat. Iceland’s weather gave us the full spectrum—sideways rain, brutal winds, fog, and even pockets of sunshine.
The Challenges
Weather: Wind gusts that nearly knocked me off my feet, sideways rain, and cold mornings that made it tough to get moving.
Terrain: While much of the Ring Road is paved, sections are remote, exposed, and mentally taxing. The vast emptiness can wear you down.
Fatigue: By day 5, my body felt like it had nothing left to give—but that’s when the mental side takes over.
The Finish
After 14 days of near-constant motion, I returned to Reykjavík. Crossing the line at Hallgrímskirkja Church was surreal.
My final time: 14 days, 13 hours, 37 minutes, and 46 seconds.
This officially sets the new FKT for the Ring Road in Iceland.
Reflections
This was by far the most difficult challenge of my life, testing every aspect of endurance, resilience, and determination. I wanted this attempt to be more than just about a record—it was about showing what’s possible when you commit fully to a dream.
I’m grateful to my crew, my partners, and the people of Iceland who encouraged us along the way. And I hope this inspires more runners to take on big, wild adventures, wherever they may be.