Runners try their luck in Reykjavík

Machine-translated from Faroese and not yet reviewed. Read the original.

This afternoon the FÍF travelling party arrived safely in Reykjavík. The party consists of Bjørk Herup Olsen, Rebekka Fuglø, Rúni Seloy and Regin Joensen, who represent the FÍF talent group, Jóan Karl Joensen, who represents the FÍF elite group, and Jan Elmar Sørensen, who represents Treysti. The team leaders are Guttorm Sørensen and Hallur Holm, who are in charge of the talent group. The plan was for more runners to come along, but because the plane was suddenly fully booked with 60 swimmers who were also heading to Reykjavík, this unfortunately came to nothing.

The travelling party pictured in front of Hotel Ørkin – Føroyska Sjómansheimið in Reykjavík, where we are staying. From left: Guttorm, Rúni, Hallur, Regin, Jóan Karl, Rebekka, Jan Elmar and Bjørk. (photo: Pál Joensen)

The competition starts tomorrow afternoon, Saturday, and all our participants will run the 800 metres. Well, almost. The last event of the day is the men’s 3000 m, and Guttorm reckons he is in such good shape that he plans to run his first ever indoor race.

On Sunday morning Regin runs the 200 m, Rúni and Rebekka the 400 m and Jan Elmar the 1500 m. These events are all part of the so-called Stórmót IR. This is by far the biggest indoor competition in Iceland, and this time there are no fewer than 651 participants with a total of 2400 starts!

On Sunday afternoon Reykjavík International then gets under way, a competition for Iceland’s senior elite. In addition, there is a strong field of guests from Norway, Sweden, England, Wales and the USA. It is very pleasing to note that three very young Faroese athletes have been invited to this strong competition, which will be shown live on Icelandic television.

The three are Jóan Karl Joensen, Bjørk Herup Olsen and Rebekka Fuglø, who will all compete in the 1500 metres. Bjørk has the best chance of making her mark, as she is entered with the second-best time, which is the Faroese record she set last summer.

The website will follow along, with photos and reports on Saturday and Sunday evening.