The Race
| Distance | 42.195 km |
| Course Type | Two-loop city circuit, moderate hills |
| Start | Stockholm Olympic Stadium (Stadion) |
| Finish | Stockholm Olympic Stadium (Stadion) |
| Registration | Open entry |
| Total Finishers | ~20,000 |
| Avg Race Day Temp | 15-20°C |
| Cutoff Time | 6 hours |
| Free Race Day Transport | None (SL day ticket recommended) |
| Olympic Stadium | Built for the 1912 Olympics |
The Stockholm Marathon starts and finishes in the Stockholm Olympic Stadium, built for the 1912 Summer Olympics and still in active use. The course is a two-loop circuit through central Stockholm, crossing the bridges of the archipelago city, passing through Gamla Stan (the old town), Djurgården (the island museum park), and Södermalm before returning to the stadium.
Stockholm is not a flat city. The Södermalm ridges and the island topography create approximately 200 metres of cumulative elevation gain - more than London, less than Athens. This is a destination race rather than a PB race: you come for the city, the archipelago bridges, and the June light at 18:00 that you cannot get anywhere south of Stockholm.
Entry
The Stockholm Marathon uses open entry with a ballot system that fills quickly. Registration opens in the autumn for the following June race at stockholmmarathon.se. Entry fees are around SEK 750-900 (approximately €65-80) depending on registration timing.
Enter now →Race Weekend
Friday: Arrive in Stockholm. Arlanda Express from Arlanda Airport to Stockholm Central: 18 minutes. The city centre is compact and walkable from most central hotels.
Saturday: Expo and number collection. Spend the afternoon on Djurgården - the island museum park that includes the Vasa Museum, ABBA The Museum, and Skansen. All flat on the island paths.
Sunday (Race Day): T-bana to Stadion station (red line). The stadium is the finish; it is also the start. Post-race: the walk back into Östermalm from the stadium is 10 minutes.
Where to Stay
Östermalm is walking distance from the stadium and has the best concentration of good restaurants and shops in Stockholm. The City district (Norrmalm) is 15 minutes by T-bana and has a wider range of hotel categories.
Sweden's most celebrated hotel, facing the Royal Palace across the water. Classic Scandinavian luxury.
Art Nouveau hotel on Strandvägen, the grandest street in Stockholm. Walking distance to the stadium.
Design hotel in a pair of 19th-century palaces near Norrmalmstorg. The best mid-luxury option.
Boutique design hotel on a quiet Östermalm street. Walking distance to the start, well-priced for the location.
Design hostel with private rooms near Odenplan. The best budget option near the marathon route.
See & Do
The **Vasa Museum** on Djurgården (entry approximately SEK 190/€18) contains the only intact 17th-century warship in the world - the Swedish warship Vasa sank on its maiden voyage in 1628 and was raised in 1961. The ship, 69 metres long, is displayed as excavated in the museum building built around it.
**Gamla Stan** (the old town) is the original medieval city on the island between the northern and southern parts of Stockholm - cobbled streets, the Royal Palace, the Storkyrkan cathedral, and the Nobel Prize Museum. Flat on the island, steep at the edges. The June light on the water between the islands is the reason to walk here in the evening.
After the Race
Stockholm's ferry and rail network reaches the archipelago and the Swedish lake country with relative ease. The long June days - 18 hours of daylight - make evening excursions viable.
Sweden's oldest university city, 71 kilometres north. The Linnaeus Garden (founded 1655, where Carl Linnaeus worked from 1742), the cathedral above the river with the tombs of Gustavus Vasa and Carl Linnaeus, and a flat city centre sized for an afternoon.
Founded around 980 AD, Sigtuna has a single main street, medieval church ruins, and a scale that makes it comprehensible on post-marathon legs. Near Arlanda Airport - the natural first or last night of the trip.
The royal palace at Drottningholm (UNESCO World Heritage) on Lake Malaren, reached by the same route the royal family uses - steamship from Stadshuskajen. The intact 17th-century court theatre still operates summer productions.
The Stockholm archipelago has 30,000 islands. Vaxholm is the first town out, 90 minutes by ferry, with the fortress that controlled the sea approach to Stockholm for 400 years and the clapboard houses of the inner archipelago.
Frequently asked questions
Should I stay near the start or the finish for the Stockholm Marathon?
Both at Stockholm Olympic Stadium (Stadion station on the red T-bana line). Östermalm is walking distance; the city centre is 10-15 minutes by metro.
How far in advance should I book a hotel for the Stockholm Marathon?
Book four to six months in advance. Early June in Stockholm is peak summer season.
Is there free transport to the Stockholm Marathon start?
No dedicated free transport. T-bana to Stadion station from the city centre: 10-15 minutes.
What is the best neighbourhood to stay in for the Stockholm Marathon?
Östermalm (walking distance to the stadium) or the City district (Norrmalm), 15 min by T-bana.
When does the Stockholm Marathon expo open?
Expo typically at Stockholm Mässan or central venue, Friday and Saturday before race day. Check official website.
What is the weather like at the Stockholm Marathon?
Early June: 15-20°C. Long daylight hours, generally good conditions. Can vary - prepare for sun or overcast.
How do I get from Arlanda Airport to Stockholm?
Arlanda Express to Stockholm Central: 18 minutes. Pendeltag commuter rail: approximately 40 minutes, cheaper.
Is there a bag drop at the Stockholm Marathon?
Yes, at Stockholm Olympic Stadium. Check race website for current procedures.
What is the course profile of the Stockholm Marathon?
Two-loop circuit, approximately 200m total elevation gain. Not flat - Södermalm ridges create genuine hills. Scenic rather than fast.
How do I get back after the Stockholm Marathon?
T-bana from Stadion station to the city centre. The walk into Östermalm is approximately 10 minutes.