Join Us in Stockholm on August 30th!0th!

1. Strömbron – Regeringsgatan
The race starts at Strömbron, a bridge built in 1946 and originally intended to last only ten years. It was supposed to be replaced by the six-lane Blasieholmsleden, a tunnel under Norrström. However, those plans were scrapped, and the “temporary” bridge remains, renovated to accommodate both vehicles and tens of thousands of runners.

The first meters are a gentle incline through Kungsträdgården, leading to Norrlandsgatan. Runners turn left onto Mäster Samuelsgatan, but instead of heading down into Klaratunneln as in previous years, the route continues to Regeringsgatan, turning left back toward Hamngatan.

2. Regeringsgatan – Vasagatan
After finishing Regeringsgatan, the course follows an easy downhill along Jakobsgatan to Tegelbacken, circling Sheraton Hotel to reach Vasagatan and pass Stockholm Central Station.

Spotlight: When Sweden switched to right-hand traffic in 1967, trams disappeared from Tegelbacken, outside Sheraton. Six years later, Sweden’s first Japanese restaurant, Seikoen, opened there – and it’s still in business today!

Spotlight: Stockholm’s most stylish parking garage? Look for Parkaden at the intersection of Mäster Samuelsgatan and Regeringsgatan. Completed in 1964 and declared a historic landmark in 2007, its outer walls feature concrete designs showcasing the floor numbers.

3. Vasagatan – Torsgatan
The flat and slightly winding passage through Norra Bantorget transitions into a gradual incline along Torsgatan. Find your rhythm without pushing too hard, as this marks the beginning of a tricky, long uphill section.

Spotlight: 150 years ago, Vasagatan was still a narrow, grimy alley lined with dilapidated houses and boathouses. Train traffic between Stockholm and Uppsala began in 1866. The original station resembled a barn, while the current building at Norra Bantorget was built in 1871 and later became a freight station surrounded by bustling marketplace activity.

4. Torsgatan – Barnhusbron
From Torsgatan, the course climbs via Torsgränd, then turns right onto Hälsobrunnsgatan, skirting the edge of Sabbatsberg Hospital. Don’t push yourself too hard—easier stretches are just around the corner!

Spotlight: Sabbatsberg is named after tavern owner Valentin Sabbath, whose grand plans for the area were buried along with him. His successor, Fredrik Rinke, attempted to rename the area Rinkeshov, but the name never caught on.

5-6. Fleminggatan to Hornsbergs Strand
After a gentle incline on Fleminggatan, runners encounter one of the course’s steepest descents on Inedalsgatan, leading down to Kungsholms Strand.

Spotlight: The first structures in this area were part of a brickworks operated by monks, the island’s first permanent residents, who gave it the name Munklägret (“The Monk Camp”).

7. Hornsbergs Strand – Nordenflychtsvägen

The scenic run along the water, opposite the cadets at Karlberg Palace, is followed by the gently undulating Hornsbergs Strand. At Lars Forssell’s Street, we leave Hornsbergs Strand and head toward Nordenflychtsvägen.
Note: Hornsbergs Villastad was planned here in the late 19th century. The winding roads never materialized, but they are reflected in the newly developed Hornsbergs Strandpark, which buzzes with life during the summer.

8. Nordenflychtsvägen – Fredhällsparken

We pass the classic “Krillan.” Now there’s a slight uphill again—don’t push yourself too hard, as nearly two-thirds of the course still remains.
Note: “Krillan,” a nickname for Kristinebergs IP, is home to the city’s second 400-meter track, currently undergoing renovation.

9. Fredhällsparken – Rålambshovsparken

Entering Fredhällsparken, we follow Drottningholmsvägen alongside the green subway line. The first hill appears before Thorildsplan, followed by a pleasant downhill stretch leading to the mile marker at Rålambshovsleden.
Note: Drottningholmsvägen stretches from Fridhemsplan all the way to the royal family’s residence, the palace on Lovön. To follow a similar route via public transit, you’d need to pass seven subway stations and switch to a bus at Brommaplan.

10. Rålambshovsparken – Norr Mälarstrand

Marathon runners will recognize this section as we head out onto Norr Mälarstrand. The mile marker appears just before Kungsholms Torg.
Note: Åke Rålamb leased this area in the early 18th century. Despite being evicted, the area was still named after him.

11. Norr Mälarstrand – City Hall

We now enter the second half of the race, a picturesque stretch toward City Hall, where ice cream-eating spectators alternate between admiring the runners and feeding leftover cones to the swans.
Note: This was where the first residential buildings were constructed on Kungsholmen after the monks were driven out. The bricklayers, dockworkers, and tanners who first settled on the island could hardly afford today’s apartments, which now sell for around 70,000–100,000 SEK per square meter.

12. City Hall – Munkbron

We leave Kungsholmen via City Hall, descending the small hill and climbing up Tegelbacken before turning right onto Vasabron, which leads into Gamla Stan and onto Munkbroleden.
Note: To the right of Västerbron lies the round Strömsborg, where people once bathed, dined, and bowled. Before a bridge was built, visitors had to hire a “rowing lady” to get there.

13. Munkbron – Hornsgatan

We leave Gamla Stan through the most crowd-filled part of the course, the throngs at Slussen, and enter the next island, Södermalm.

Note: Slussen is currently undergoing reconstruction for the next 8–9 years, resulting in various solutions for crossing from Gamla Stan to Söder Mälarstrand.

14. Hornsgatan – Münchenbryggeriet

Here, runners enter one of the organizers’ favorite sections of the course. Running from Hornsgatan, they turn onto Torkel Knutssons Street and are greeted by a breathtaking view of Riddarfjärden and City Hall.

15-16. Söder Mälarstrand – Bergsundsgatan

This stretch includes nearly two kilometers along Riddarfjärden. While the hills only line the quayside, it’s important to stay focused on maintaining your pace as this part of the course, two-thirds in, is the most challenging for most participants.
Note: Södermalm was originally called Åsön, likely named after the continuation of the Brunkebergs Ridge that crosses Södermalm.

17. Bergsundsgatan – Tantolunden

Instead of crossing the bridges to Långholmen and Reimersholme, we round the western tip of Södermalm. Be grateful we follow the shoreline instead of tackling the steep climb up and down Bergsund. At the end of this kilometer, we enter Tantolunden and begin the long incline toward Zinkensdamms IP and Ringvägen.
Note: The area’s name comes from “berg” (mountain) in the east and “sund” (strait) in the west. Until the 1920s, it was dominated by shipyards and workshops, which influenced most of the street names in the area, now colloquially known as “Knivsöder” (“Knife Söder”).

18. Tantolunden – Maria Bangata

The course continues under Ringvägen and Rosenlundsgatan, running along pedestrian paths parallel to and slightly below Maria Bangata.
Note: Fatburen was originally a lake, stretching from Östgötagatan to Rosenlundsgatan during medieval times. It provided Stockholmers with clean water and abundant fish. By the 1830s, however, it had become an unhealthy swamp, often called the “Dead Sea.” Malaria was reportedly spread by mosquitoes breeding in the remnants of the lake. In 1875, the city council decided to fill in the remaining parts of Fatburen.

19. Maria Bangata – Krukmakargatan

We move (at a slow pace, perhaps?) through central Söder, taking a left onto Timmermansgatan and continuing to Krukmakargatan.
Note: Carl Michael Bellman was born in the Stora Daurerska house and grew up at No. 24 on what was later renamed Bellmansgatan, which appears on the left side after Mariatorget.

20. Krukmakargatan – Slussen

We continue to Hornsgatan, where we meet runners just entering Söder. A steep downhill section takes us back to Slussen and the Golden Bridge!
Note: Bellman, Sweden’s beloved poet and musician, was born in the Stora Daurerska house and grew up on the same Bellmansgatan we pass, near Mariatorget.

21.1. Slussen – Norrbro

Sprint! Sprint! Sprint! No matter how tired you are, there’s always one gear left. Use the momentum from the downhill stretch out of Söder to fly through Gamla Stan and head for the finish line at Norrbro. We’re back where we started!
Note: Nothing! Forget the surroundings now and focus solely on the finish line, cheered on by the crowd’s support.