Stockholm Marathon
Stockholm, Sweden · May · World Athletics Label
Why people love it
- Finish on the track of the 1912 Olympic Stadium.
- Aid includes pickles at 20.2 km (12.5 mi), broth at 32.2 km (20 mi), coffee at 37.4 km (23.3 mi).
- Pacers every 15 minutes from 3:00 to 5:45, and a 6.5 hour cutoff.
- Route covers Gamla Stan, Södermalm, Västerbron and the waterfront.
Watch out for
- Noon start: 27 °C (81 °F) in 2024 and 25 to 28 °C (77 to 82 °F) in 2018.
- Gain of 183 m (600 ft); Västerbron adds about 30 m (100 ft) in one climb.
- Cobble patches, wooden bridges and tram tracks need care.
- Bibs sold fast for 2027, and the fee rises to 1,995 SEK (about $200).
- A 2025 reviewer reported a finisher medal shortage affecting over 2,000 runners.
Race
How racers feel about it, how well it is run, and how it treats a first timer. Counts for 28% of the overall score.
Toughness: Tough
- Racer satisfactionLoved3.9
RaceRaves averages 3.8 of 5. Praise for the crowd and stadium finish; two reviewers hated the noon heat and one reports a medal shortage. · Medium confidence
- OrganizationWell run3.6
Most reviews call it well organised, but one 2025 reviewer says over 2,000 runners got no medal and a 2018 report faulted water stops. · Medium confidence
- First timer friendlyFriendly3.5
A 6.5 hour cutoff and pacers help, but 183 m (600 ft) of gain, cobbles and a noon start in sun make it harder. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialAverage3.0
A 2025 runner says the hills are sneakier than they look. Sharp turns and noon heat cut times. · Medium confidence
Course
Scenery, road surface, closures, and room to run. Counts for 20% of the overall score.
- Course sceneryBeautiful4.2
Waterfront boulevards, Gamla Stan, Södermalm, the Västerbron view and a finish in the 1912 Olympic Stadium. RaceRaves scenery is 3.7 of 5, noting some repetition. · Medium confidence
- Room to runSome pinch points3.0
Frequent sharp turns and sloped pavement, with the sharpest corners and biggest crowds in Norrmalm near the end and narrow spots by Central Station. · Medium confidence
- Road surfaceMixed3.2
Asphalt mixed with cobble patches, wooden bridges, tram tracks on Hamngatan and uneven narrow sections near Central Station. · Medium confidence
- Road closuresMostly closed4.0
Central roads close to traffic, though side-street detail was not found. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Course flatnessRolling3.2
Gain of 183 m (600 ft) from a 2026 registration guide. Older guides say about 150 m (490 ft). · Medium confidence
- Net downhillEven3.0
Start and finish are at the Olympic Stadium, so no net change. · Medium confidence
Support
Crowds, aid stations, the start, and pacers. Counts for 20% of the overall score.
- Start logisticsSmooth3.8
Noon start by the stadium, free transit for runners per one reviewer, and 15 minute pacer pens. Opinions on the expo range widely. · Low confidence
- Pacers and timingGood4.3
Pacers every 15 minutes from 3:00 to 5:45, with chip timing and four intermediate checkpoints. · Medium confidence
- Crowd supportStrong4.2
Enthusiastic crowds, DJ stations for the biggest visiting nations, biggest in Norrmalm and the final stretch. Quieter in the Djurgården woods. · Medium confidence
- Aid stationsGood3.9
Plentiful in 2025, with pickles, broth and coffee late in the race. A 2018 reviewer faulted water stops. · Medium confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 14% of the overall score.
- WindMostly calm3.8
No wind complaints found, though waterfront stretches are open. · Low confidence
- Air temperatureWarm or cool2.9
Usually 17 to 20 °C (63 to 68 °F) at the noon gun, but 25 to 28 °C (77 to 82 °F) in 2018. · Medium confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable3.0
Heat years in 2018 and 2024 against pleasant 2023 and 2025. Organisers warn that heat problems are common. · Medium confidence
- Spectator friendlyEasy4.3
Central route with DJ spots and transit access, and a noon start that suits families. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeSea level4.9
Roughly 30 m (100 ft) above sea level. · Medium confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 10% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityGood4.0
Capital city with many hotels. Race-weekend demand is unknown. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueNormal2.8
Stockholm is one of the pricier European capitals. No race-weekend prices found. · Low confidence
- WalkabilityWalkable4.2
Start and finish at the Olympic Stadium, reached by metro and free runner transit. Central hotels are a short ride away. · Medium confidence
- Travel easeEasy4.2
Arlanda is about 40 km (25 mi) from the city with a 20 minute express train. A long haul from North America. · Medium confidence
- LogisticsSimple3.8
Online registration and bib pickup at the expo, which reviewers call ordinary. Free coffee for bib wearers. · Low confidence
- Town and foodGreat4.6
A 2025 runner calls it Scandinavia's most photogenic capital. Finish food includes hot dogs, buns and beer. · Medium confidence
Entry
How hard it is to get a place, and what you get for the fee. Counts for 8% of the overall score.
- Getting inRegister early3.0
No lottery or qualifier, but about 21,000 of 25,000 bibs sold in two weeks for 2027. · Medium confidence
- Value for moneyFair3.0
1,295 to 1,995 SEK (about $130 to $200), rising by window. Free transit and finisher food, but a 2025 medal shortage complaint. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Stockholm, Stockholm County, Sweden
- Typical month
- May
- Latest or next date
- 29 May 2027
- Organiser
- World Athletics Label
- Field size
- About 25,000 athletes
- First held
- 1979
- Distances
- 42.2 km (26.2 mi)
- Course type
- loop
- Climbing
- 183 m (600 ft)
- Start time
- 12:00
- Cutoff
- 6.5 hours
- Surface
- Mostly asphalt with cobble patches, wooden bridges, tram tracks and softer Djurgarden paths
- How to get in
- open
- Sells out
- Yes
- Entry fee
- About $160
- Air temperature
- 14–22 °C (57–72 °F)
- Humidity
- Moderate; midday sun on asphalt feels hotter than the thermometer
- Altitude
- 30 m (98 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Stockholm Arlanda (ARN), 40 km (25 mi) away
- Where to stay
- Ostermalm, Norrmalm, Sodermalm
- Booking
- Expect higher prices race weekend; free public transport for runners on race day per a 2018 reviewer.
What racers and reviewers say
- RaceRaves (9 reviews)Raced 2016-2025 · aggregator · Mixed
Runners like the city, the crowds and aid-station pickles, but disagree on difficulty. Two disliked the noon start in 2018 heat; the newest review reports over 2,000 runners without a medal.
- Steel City Striders (Tom Evans)Raced 2025 · blog · Positive
A 3:51 finisher found 18 °C (64 °F), an undulating not flat course, excellent organisation, plentiful aid with pickles, broth and coffee, and 'easily my favourite finish line' in the stadium.
- Runner's World Germany 2023 reportRaced 2023 · article · Mixed
Noon start with 17 °C (63 °F) already at the gun, up to 20 °C (68 °F); about 539 of 13,284 starters withdrew; strong spectator support.
- Sveriges Radio heat reportRaced n/a · article · Mixed
Reported by a search summary only: organisers planned 19 water stations and at least 15 shower stops for a forecast near 27 °C (81 °F).
- The LocalRaced 2018 · article · Negative
Reported by a search summary only: extra showers for 25 to 28 °C (77 to 82 °F) and a warning that asphalt could feel above 30 °C (86 °F); the press chief advised against chasing a PB.
Show 4 more
- Serpentine race report 2008Raced 2008 · forum · Positive
Reported by a search summary only: beautiful course, excellent organisation and food, fast if not hot; official 25 °C (77 °F). Dated.
- AIMS preview of the courseRaced 2014 · article · Positive
Preview: two laps past the palace, Gamla Stan and Sodermalm; Vasterbron climb about 30 m (100 ft) is the hardest part; record 21,813 entrants. Dated format.
- Adventure Collective travel guideRaced n/a · article · neutral
Generic guide: asphalt with cobble patches, wooden bridges and soft Djurgarden paths, about 150 m (490 ft) of gain, aid about every 5 km (3 mi). Low reliability, no start time match.
- Marathons.com registration guideRaced 2026 · article · neutral
2027 details: 29 May, noon start, 6.5 h cutoff, fees 1,295 to 1,995 SEK, 183 m (600 ft) gain, first come first served, warning that heat is common.
Raced Stockholm Marathon? Your notes on the course, conditions and logistics help the next athlete decide.
Sources
Pages we used for facts and ratings. See how we rate.
Training for Stockholm Marathon? Moku Coach builds your plan around race day.