Gunnar Lárus sets Iceland record with 69 backyard ultra laps

Gunnar Lárus Karlsson set an Icelandic record by completing 69 laps at the world team backyard running championships in Elliðaárdal valley, mbl.is reported. He crossed the finish line at 8.44.

His total was seven laps more than the previous record of 62, set by Þorleifur Þorleifsson at the 2024 championships. Guðjón Sigurðsson finished second after completing 68 laps, while Guðmundur Lúther Hallgrímsson took third with 63. Guðjón fell on the course during his 69th lap.

All three runners surpassed Þorleifur’s record. They had run together from the 40th lap, after only three of the 15 starters remained.

In a backyard race, runners must complete a lap of about 6.7 kilometres every hour. They continue until they are unable to start another lap.