Icelandic Band Runs Marathon for Cancer Support Center

The members of the Icelandic band Kolrössu krókríðandi are lacing up their running shoes for a cause close to their hearts. Ester Bíbí Ásgeirsdóttir, Birgitta María Vilbergsdóttir, Sigrún Eiríksdóttir, and Elíza Newman will run a 10-kilometer race in the Reykjavík Marathon to raise funds for Ljósið, a support and rehabilitation center for individuals aged 16 and older diagnosed with cancer, as well as their families.

The initiative gained personal significance after Elíza Newman, the band's singer and violinist, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020. Ljósið provided invaluable support during her rehabilitation, prompting her to participate in the marathon again this year. Newman humorously asked her bandmates if they would join, and to her surprise, received enthusiastic support. "We're not exactly the sportiest band in the world, but I suddenly got a tremendous response from the girls," Newman shared. The group decided to form a running team to reconnect and hopefully raise money for Ljósið, which is currently moving to new premises.

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We're not exactly the sportiest band in the world, but I suddenly got a tremendous response from the girls. So we decided to create a running group, get the band together, run 10 kilometers and hopefully raise some money for Ljósið.

Kolrössu krókríðandi has a rich musical history. The band was formed in 1991 when the members were in tenth grade. Initially named Menn, then Saraþústra, they eventually settled on Kolrössu krókríðandi. They won the music competition Músíktilraunir with four original songs and released their first album, Drápa, in 1992. Their sound evolved from rock and indie to a more pop-oriented style.

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We lived in England for a year and had a record deal. We were just youngsters when we started touring all over Europe and playing in America. We toured with all sorts of people, had our own drivers, and played in lots of strange places. It went incredibly well, and it was quite an adventure.

Later, the band underwent a transformation, changing their name to Bellatrix and embarking on extensive international tours. "We lived in England for a year and had a record deal. We were just youngsters when we started touring all over Europe and playing in America," recalled Sigrún. They experienced a whirlwind of touring with various artists, having dedicated drivers, and performing in diverse venues. "It went incredibly well, and it was quite an adventure," she added. Their last album, Köld eru kvennaráð, was released in 1996, featuring one of their most recognized songs, "Opnaðu augun þín."

Despite the years, the band members have remained close friends, meeting regularly for what they call a "rock sewing club." They have continued to perform occasionally, including a show at Menningarnótt two years ago. Now, they have reunited to work on new material, with four songs already completed. They are scheduled to perform at Eyrarrokki in Akureyri in October. The band members, from left to right, are Elíza, Sigrún, Ester, and Birgitta. The accompanying photo is from the band's first official photoshoot in 1993.

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After we formed the band, we entered Músíktilraunir with four original songs and won. Following that, we released our first album, Drápa, in 1992. We were much more rock and indie back then, and then we became a bit more pop.