Stockholm Marathon

An iconic race at the heart of the Nordic capital

The Stockholm Marathon began as a simple challenge set by Anders Olsson. In 1978, inspired by the New York Marathon and its 12,000 participants, this former sports journalist decided to create something bigger for his peaceful and tranquil Swedish capital. A year later, on August 4, 1979, 2,155 runners set off in what would be forever known as the first Stockholm Marathon.

A man and a woman stood out that day: Finnish Jukka Toivola and German Heide Brenner, both achieving times that became legendary: 2h 17min 35s and 2h 47min 06s, respectively. Over the years, the Stockholm Marathon has welcomed more and more participants. In 1981, marathon legend Bill Rodgers included the race in his annual schedule, delivering an incredible performance in 2h 13min 26s.

This success, however, is also credited to the beauty of Stockholm. Built between the Baltic Sea and Lake Mälaren, the city spans 14 islands. The race begins at the Olympic Stadium, allowing athletes to explore the city center and then the Swedish countryside. Along the way, runners will pass by landmarks like the Royal Palace, City Hall, Dramatic Theatre, and the Swedish Parliament. The city boasts over fifty museums, many of which are visible along the route. Runners continue through the avenues of Djurgården, then refresh themselves along the city’s waterfront.

Despite its world-renowned beauty, seasoned runners know that the Stockholm Marathon also poses challenges. Held in June, the summer temperatures can be a bit harsh for some athletes. The course consists of two loops over its 42 km, offering notable challenges like the Västerbron Bridge, known for its steep ascent that runners must conquer.

Fortunately, the organizers are aware of these challenges, and numerous aid stations and refreshment points are set up along the course to alleviate these difficulties.