Descendant seeks memorial for Iceland’s first marathon runner

A descendant of Magnús Guðbjörnsson, believed to have run Iceland’s first marathon, is seeking permission to put up an information sign near the starting point of the historic race, mbl.is reports.

Magnús, a postal worker in Reykjavík’s Laugarneshverfi district, ran the marathon on 28 August 1926. He started near Kambabrún and followed a road track to Reykjavík, finishing at the former Melavöllur sports field in the city’s Vesturbær district.

Magnús was born in 1899 and was 27 when he completed the run in front of witnesses. The race was reported in the media, with Vísir covering it the following day.

Edwin Roald Rögnvaldsson, one of Magnús’s descendants, has suggested creating a memorial to the achievement. He says there is a roadside pull-off near where Magnús began the run and would like the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration and Ölfus municipality to approve an information sign there.

Edwin visited the newspaper’s offices this week carrying a bronze statue of Magnús. He said he had once mentioned his great-grandfather’s achievement while having lunch with people from Iceland’s sports movement. Guðmundur Karlsson, managing director of the Icelandic Athletics Federation, then returned with the statue, which had been kept in storage by the federation.

The statue was made by the sculptor Guðmundur Einarsson from Miðdal. Edwin said it was considered appropriate for the statue to be placed in the care of Magnús’s descendants.

Magnús’s attempt was notable because there was no precedent for a marathon in Iceland and little knowledge to draw on. He was a cross-country runner who competed in the events available at the time, but never had the opportunity to compete abroad. Haraldur Sigurðsson cycled alongside him throughout the race, while others followed in a car.

Magnús completed the run in three hours and 15 minutes. According to the sources, he covered 40.2 kilometres rather than 42 kilometres, the distance used for marathons at Olympic Games early in the 20th century. Edwin said the time was interesting, although comparisons are difficult.