Stockholm Marathon 2025

What do Alfred Nobel 🧪, Greta Thunberg ♻️, and Zara Larsson 🎤 have in common? Giving up? Well, they were all born in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden! 🇸🇪 Did you know that the city is so fragmented (boasting no less than 14 islands amidst the Baltic Sea 🌊) that it's nicknamed 'the Venice of the North' 🛶? Not to mention, the impressively dense array of innovative tech companies 🤖 allowing the city to compete with Silicon Valley. In fact, the music streaming giant Spotify 🎶 was born here, with its headquarters firmly planted in the city center 📍.

On the last Sunday of May, it's not the sound of streaming music 🎧 or the clang of assembling flat-pack furniture 🔨 you'll hear throughout the Swedish capital, but rather live concerts 🎸 fueling the motivation of a horde of spirited runners 🏃🏼‍♂️. Yes, May marks the Adidas Stockholm Marathon 👟, one of Europe's most prestigious marathons 🇪🇺, celebrated for both its impeccable organization and the stunning beauty of its course 🤩. An ideal date, as the southwest coast of Sweden enjoys mild summers... And virtually no night! 🌞 This means you can celebrate your finisher's medal 🏅, and possibly a personal record ⏱️. Anyway, you'll have plenty of time (6h30 max) to complete the official 42.195 km, a distance certified by the Swedish Athletics Federation 🤸‍♀️ and World Athletics (rest assured, you won't run a meter too many! 🤓).

Aside from the sheer joy of treading these northern lands, you'll be thrilled to explore seven emblematic districts of Stockholm 🏙️. The route, surrounded by an enthusiastic crowd, kicks off just steps away from the Stockholm Olympic Stadium constructed for the 1912 Olympics 🏟️. It'll swiftly take you through the heart of Östermalm, home to the nation's most expensive properties 💸. Keep your eyes peeled in this fleeting moment, as you'll soon head towards Vasastan, the chic, trendy waterside district 💅 featuring the City Hall, myriad artist galleries 🎨, and a plethora of ultra-cozy restaurants 🍝. After crossing a bridge, you'll arrive at Kunghsolmen where a different, more intimate and vibrant atmosphere awaits, complete with a beach 🏖️, a 2 km long promenade 🚶🏼‍♂️, and the Ralambshovs Park 🛝. Hop hop hop! Two more bridges (told you it's a city of water, proof's right here!) will lead you to Gamlastan, the historic old town filled with colorful buildings some of which date back to the 13th century. There, the Royal Palace 👑 and the Stockholm Cathedral 🕍 will come into view.

You'll then skirt along the district of Norrmalm, today's true city center 🌆 with the most popular park, the Kungsträdgarden and the famous Ahlens store 🏪. No time to linger for shopping 🛍️, though, as you'll only be at the 12th km! After passing by the Olympic stadium again, you'll dart towards Djurgarden: this vast slice of nature 🍃 near the city center is no less than the world's first urban park, with a history dating back to the 15th century. This wooded island 🌳 houses deer 🦌, hares 🐇, and even some rare bird species 🦜 living alongside hugely popular attractions 🎡: the Gröna Lund amusement park, the Nordiska Museet, the Rosendal's Garden, and Skansen. By the halfway point, you'll feel as though you've visited several towns 🤩. Yet, the surprises aren't over! 🎁

The Stockholm Marathon course still has plenty of wonders 👀 in store with another run through Norrmalm and Gamlastan to reach Södermalm island 🗾, a touch bohemian 🌸, decidedly creative, and utterly relaxed ✌🏼. The largest of the 14 islands of the Swedish capital is home to the SoFo district, young 🧒 and alternative 🤪, with the nickname being a shorthand for " South of Folkungagatan ". Nearly 8 km are laid out in Södermalm, which you'll leave by crossing a spectacular bridge back to Kungsholmen. Hold tight; only 7 km to go (you're already familiar from earlier in the race 😉)! You'll make your way to the Olympic stadium for an unforgettable finish 🥰 in this historic venue. The warm crowd will mark your final strides with applause 👏🏼 and cheers 🗣️ that will give you goosebumps.

Du gjorde det! Yes, you can be proud of yourself! 🙌🏼