The fourth edition of the WOW Cyclothon in June 2015

From 23 – 26 June 2015, the fourth annual WOW Cyclothon will see keen cyclists from around the world competing to be crowned the fastest team to pedal around Iceland's Highway 1 - the 1,332 kilometre ring road that loops around the entire country – raising money for a worthy cause in the process.

Taking place under the midnight sun, the non-stop relay race is the only one of its kind in Iceland, often completed by the winner in less than 48 hours. Teams can consist of one, four or ten riders, who cycle in a relay format non-stop for the entire route, followed by their support vehicle. With the ten-rider teams offering the shortest distance per person, this category means less experienced cyclists can take part too, with many corporate participants signing teams to the Cyclothon as a team building exercise for their employees.

Starting at the iconic Harpa Concert Hall in Reykjavik, the challenging route steers participants past Iceland's most stunning landscapes beneath the midnight sun, including glaciers, mighty waterfalls, the spectacular coastal line, fjords, national parks and striking volcanoes. Far in the east of Iceland there is a 29km gravel section to the route where a mountain bike is required, adding another challenge to the already challenging endurance ride.

Skúli Mogensen, founder and CEO of WOW air – and a keen cyclist himself - began the WOW Cyclothon in 2012 and competes most years, finishing in the second placed team in 2011. “Given the popularity for keen cyclists to travel to experience new terrain and Iceland's breath-taking scenery, we knew that the WOW Cyclothon was likely to be well-received when we introduced and the race has grown each year. I will forever be in awe of the solo finishers, we had three complete last year, a truly amazing effort,” says Skúli.

As the main race sponsor, WOW air awards flight tickets as prizes for each member of the winning female and male teams. Open to cyclists of all abilities with all types of bikes, registration closes on 5 May and costs £340 (70,000 ISK) for teams of four, £608 (125,000 ISK) for teams of ten, and £146 (30,000 ISK) for a team of one.

Committed to promoting healthy living and outdoor activities in Iceland, the WOW Cyclothon also raises money for worthy causes. Last year £74,070 was donated to the Department of Orthopedics at the National University Hospital of Iceland. This year the Cyclothon will again support a department within the National University Hospital, situated in Reykjavik.

WOW air's direct route between London Gatwick and Reykjavik costs from just £49 one way. Flights to the US, Boston and Baltimore-Washington, commence on 27 March and 8 May respectively.

For more information on the WOW Cyclothon please visit www.wowcyclothon.com. For more information or to book please visit www.wowair.co.uk. 

-Ends-

For further press information please contact:
Rooster PR
www.rooster.co.uk
Nick Wheywell / Stuart Fyfe / Kevan Barber
T:       +44 (0) 20 3440 8930
E:       teamwow@rooster.co.uk

About WOW air
WOW air is Iceland's only low-cost airline and the most punctual, with 92% of flights arriving on time in 2014.

WOW air offers the lowest fares, a modern fleet with the lowest emissions and the biggest smile; this is the WOW air promise to its valuable customers.

WOW air flies daily from London Gatwick to Reykjavik with twice-daily flights currently on Sunday, Monday and Thursday.

The airline flies to London, Paris, Berlin and Copenhagen from Reykjavik all year-round and offers additional winter and summer destinations.

Created in November 2011 by Icelandic entrepreneur Skúli Mogensen, the purple airline flies four Airbus A320 aircraft.

WOW air was ranked as the 7th best low-cost airline in Europe at the 2013 and 2014 Skytrax World Airline Awards and was the youngest airline in the top ten.

For more information: www.wowair.co.uk