calendar icon May 6, 2024

Stockholm Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Stockholm Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.5 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.5 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 4.3 
 
 
Number of comments: 71 [displaying comments 51 to 61]
More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 > ]

 

M. H. from Sussex, England (6/9/2004)
"Wonderful city, one of Europe's best kept secrets." (about: 2004)

6-10 previous marathons | 1 Stockholm Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


The course is beautiful and the people really supportive (ignore the comments about 'not enough noise' - it's good to see a bit of reserve). This is a really user friendly event and the hospitality throughout our three days was fantastic. The course is a bit narrow in places and I wonder if anyone else would prefer an earlier start? that aside it's a great run. Nearly everyone spoke English and offered help and info whenever we needed it; these are the nicest people I've come across. I will certainly be coming back as a tourist and runner.
 

B. C. from Sydney, Australia (6/7/2004)
"Fanatastic City, Good Race" (about: 2004)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Stockholm Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


It's not hard to see why this is one of the world's top-ranked marathons. Stockholm is without doubt one of the world's most beautiful cities, especially at this time of year. Organization was excellent, number pick-up, website, facilities at race start/end all very good. The course was undulating - no large hills but a few ups and downs - the climb up Vesterbron on the second lap was tough, but the views from the top are spectacular. The finisher's medal is excellent. There are plenty of spectators on the route, although they are strangely quiet in some areas - there are lots of people, they just don't make a lot of noise. There were lots of bands/music on the route. The finish inside the Olympic Stadium is brilliant.

Minor complaints - the first drink station was a disaster area (although after that they were OK), may be better to have drinks both sides of the road. The course is very narrow - just a footpath in places. Stockholm generally has quite narrow streets so 16,000 is already more than enough runners for this course. Wish there was a better selection of shirts at the expo as I like buying race souvenirs, but there wasn't much here.

Overall, though, an excellent event - if you want to run all of the world's top ten marathons, you'll have to come here eventually!
 

Alisdair Daubney from Rochester,Kent,England (3/16/2004)
"Beautiful Scenery" (about: 2003)

First Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


This was my first ever marathon, and it was an absolutely amazing experience. I would recommend for everyone to complete a marathon at some time in their life. It is even better when you run for a cause. This would definitely be one of my top ten marathons - stunning location well organized good crowd support in certain sections and a good mixture of bands along the way. The course was mainly flat with the exception of the bridge which has an amazing view at the top. The finish in the Olympic Stadium is a good choice as well and the finishers coin was very well designed. The only minus point was the t-shirt which looked like not much thought had gone into it. Apart from that, I really enjoyed myself and would thoroughly recommend this marathon to everyone.
 

D. J. from Dubai, UAE (6/24/2003)
"A Must-Run Marathon" (about: 2003)


COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


Its not surprising that Stockholm Marathon is so highly rated on the web sites and in the running magazines. This is a beautiful course with an amazing finish in the Olympic stadium. Very crowded at the start (it was at least 5K before I was able to run at the pace I wanted). Many runners ignored the seeding system, leading to a lot of side stepping early on. Only real complaints are that the water tables are only on one side of the road, and that the pace runners are bit erratic with their timings. Great medal, and very efficient bag recovery, etc. All in all, I really enjoyed this marathon, though I hope that the samba dancers around 35K weren't as cold as they looked!
 

Robert Hahn from Houston, TX (6/20/2003)
"Awesome race, with some room for improvement" (about: 2003)


COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 3


Before I add my suggestions, I'd just like to say that the Stockholm Marathon is a fabulous marathon, and I highly recommend it. There are some things I would 'tweak', though. The course is scenic and one of the most beautiful I've done. However, surely there's more than just 13 miles of Stockholm that's worthy of seeing. The two-loop course is un-necessary in a city as breathtaking as Stockholm. The sponges along the way were a big plus as well. The organization was great, although I would have liked to have seen a bigger expo. I only gave the spectators a 3 because this is by far the quietest crowd I've seen. There were thousands of people lining the streets in many places, but they were all silent! If you were a blind person you'd probably think that nobody was out on the course watching. The people are there, just not very vocal. Other than those minor irritations everything else about the marathon rocked! From race day packet pick-up to the totally awesome finisher's medal, the Stockholm Marathon committee gets a big 'Heja'!!
 

D. M. from American living in Germany (6/17/2003)
"Stockholm Rocks!" (about: 2003)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


This was my 4th (Athens, Venice, Paris), and the best yet! Stockholmers were enthusiastic and very festive. Course provided lots of 'eye candy'. The weather was great - rained just when the heat was too much, then back to sunshine and cool breezes. The cleanest and friendliest city in Europe. After searching hard to find a fault, I think the refreshments at the half should have been served after a time check instead of just before. Did I mention what great food is served in Sweden?
 

Tommaso Gazzoni from Bologna, Italy (6/17/2003)
"Great race, lovely town, but temps were too high" (about: 2003)


COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


I ran Stockholm last Saturday (my second marathon after London, England in 2001). I am a 4-hour marathoner (3:55 PB) who looks not only for fast courses, but also for great locations and good organizations. I found everything in Stockholm, apart ideal PB weather: it was 33°C in the sun and 20°C in the shade, far too warm for me being a tall and heavy guy (191cm, 84kg). I enjoyed the good organization (even though 15,000 runners are too many for the narrow streets of the Swedish capital), but did not like warm water cups at refreshment stations, which were only on one side of the road. The spectators were nice and supportive, but the course - while very scenic, running through the town and its beautiful parks - is a bit too hilly for my liking. A tough race for tough guys, which gave me lots of satisfaction, but ran far from my PB. Still, a lovely town and a great weekend of sports. Advisable for first-timers, but do not push it too hard, as I saw 3 ambulances during my race...
 

Michael Sander from Portland, Oregon USA (12/26/2002)
"The finish into Olympic Stadium is Spectacular" (General Comments)


COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


Arriving a few days earlier, I became familiar with the route and fell in love with the people. From the organization to the fans - an experience not to be missed. See you in 2003!
 

(Sue) from Washington, D.C. (7/2/2002)
"What a wonderful experience!" (General Comments)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This was my second marathon and I would have a hard time imagining a more beautiful route, friendlier fans, or a more organized marathon. There was so much encouragement from those wonderful Swedes that I still get steamy-eyed when I think about it. There was plenty of water, sports drinks, cut fruit, snacks and GREAT fans! It was one of the best days of my life.
Tak sa muyket!
 

A Runner from Hollywood, Florida (6/27/2002)
"Glorious day in Stockholm !" (about: 2002)


COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


What a beautiful European city and it's people... Enjoyed the festivities for the city's week long 750 year celebration, only wish I had arrived five days prior to the race versus 3 to better deal with the Jetlag & 6 time zone difference. Still, as advertised, a great Marathon for 1st timers... you can't help but enjoy it all, especially arriving to the finish in the Olympic Stadium of 1912 ! It was a bit warm for most of the Northern European runners, great support from the spectators, wore 'Stars & Stripes' shorts and got much positive encouragement... with their chants of 'Heya ! Heya !! Heya !!!' ... Swedish for 'GO ! GO !! GO!!!' as well as 'GO USA !' and 'God Bless America.' Will defintely come back again. I could not have participated in a better run/Marathon out of the States, especially with this being my first one.
 

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