Stockholm’s waterfront with the Riddarholmen church spire

Sweden · Road running

adidas Stockholm Marathon

Stockholm: start on Lidingövägen, finish inside Stockholms Stadion

The adidas Stockholm Marathon is a 42.195 km road race through central Stockholm, held on a Saturday around the end of May, with a finish on the track of the 1912 Olympic Stadium. It is one of Europe's bigger marathons, about 19,000 runners finishing in 2026, and most of them are recreational runners: the median finisher took 4 h 28 min. The 2027 race (29 May) is already sold out, and the course has several bridge and hill sections that matter in the second half.

Official siteNo. 27 of 41 in the toughness ranking

The race in brief

Distance
42.195 km
Format
Marathon on city roads, start on Lidingövägen at Stockholms Stadion in nine seeded groups, finish on the stadium track; pacers for 3:00 to 5:45
When
Saturday at the end of May (29 May 2027, preliminary start 12:00; 30 May 2026)
Mid-pack time
4 h 28 min (median net finishing time, 2026); winner 2 h 10 min 46 s
Cut-off
Maximum time 6 h 30 min under the police permit, with four checkpoints with cut-off times that apply regardless of when you crossed the line
Entry fee
1 295–1 995 kr (2027 edition; four price periods (the dates are not shown on the page), sold out in October 2026)
Field
18,926 finishers in the official results list (2026)
First held
1979
Other distances
Marathon 42.195 km · Minimaran (children) · adidas Premiärmilen (10 km, April) · adidas Premiärhalvan (half marathon, April) · adidas Shake Out Run (5 km, Friday)
Organiser
Marathongruppen i Stockholm AB for the clubs Hässelby SK and Spårvägens FK

Next edition: 2027-05-29 · Sold out: the organiser's registration page says the maximum number of participants has been reached (checked 15 October 2026). Preliminary start 12:00. · Entries

Checked 2026-10-15

How tough is it?

Four meters, each 1 to 5, rated by our published method. The basis under each one shows the figures behind the score. How we rate.

DurationLong day

Median net time 4 h 28 min 10 s of 18,926 finishers in the official 2026 results (stockholm.r.mikatiming.com, 2026-05); the middle half ran 3 h 56 min to 5 h 01 min and the slowest tenth took over 5 h 33 min. Winner 2 h 10 min 46 s. Inside the 2.5-5 h band, but a quarter of finishers are out longer than 5 h. As of 2026-05.

TerrainRolling

City asphalt with tram rails on Hamngatan, narrow parts and uneven asphalt on Munkbroleden (organiser's course notes), and bridges. The organiser calls the 2026 course slightly flatter; the toughest sections, Katarinavägen, Hornsgatan/Lundagatan and Västerbron, now come earlier in the race (organiser, 2026-05). Total climb is not published, so this is a judgement; borderline 3 for the climbs. As of 2026-05.

ColdMild

Late-May afternoon start (preliminary 12:00), so mild to warm and sometimes hot; no cold-weather clothing rule. No race-day temperature was sourced, so this is a judgement from the date and start time. Borderline 2 on a cool, wet day. As of 2026-05.

Cut-offsWatch them

2027 is sold out seven months before the race (organiser registration page, 2026-10), so the difficulty is getting in; there is no lottery and no qualifying time. The 6 h 30 min limit with four checkpoints is generous against a 4 h 28 min median, and 2026 finishers include runners over 6 h 50 min on net time. Seeding puts nine start groups on your best half or marathon time. As of 2026-10.

The course

The marathon starts on Lidingövägen next to Stockholms Stadion, in waves, at a preliminary 12:00. The 2026 course runs from the start on Östermalm through the city centre with Valhallavägen, Odengatan and Sveavägen, then Vasagatan down to Gamla Stan, which the route now skirts on both of its loops. The organiser warns that the first kilometres are crowded, so take it easy early.

The 2026 course crosses Södermalm for the first time through SoFo, then turns back north. The organiser says it is slightly flatter than before, with a longer, spectator-friendly run along Norr Mälarstrand on Kungsholmen to the City Hall (Stadshuset). The most demanding parts, Katarinavägen, Hornsgatan and Lundagatan, and Västerbron, now arrive earlier in the race, from around the middle. The 2027 course has not been published yet, so check the organiser's course page before you plan.

The last stretch returns to Östermalm and the stadium, and you finish inside Stockholms Stadion, which was the 1912 Olympic arena. Water and sports drink are served along the course, with extra energy (Enervit orange sports drink, bananas, gels, coffee, broth, cola and pickled gherkins) at selected stations, plus medical staff at the aid stations and transport for runners who must stop. Pacers run for 3:00 to 5:45.

How to enter

The 2027 race is sold out. The organiser's registration page states that the maximum number of participants has been reached, and as of 15 October 2026 the race is full more than seven months ahead. No qualifying time or lottery is used; places go to whoever registers first. Follow the organiser's newsletter and social media for any returned places, and check the terms and conditions before buying a place from anyone else.

The 2027 fee had four periods: 1,295 kr, 1,495 kr, 1,795 kr and 1,995 kr (roughly 115 to 180 euros), with the earliest the cheapest; the dates of the periods are not shown on the page. You must be 18 or older, which for 2027 means born in 2009 or earlier. Entries are binding and personal, and the organiser does not refund the fee if you do not take part.

Your start group depends on your times: when you register you give a recent half marathon or marathon result, and the organiser places you in one of nine start groups from the best result. If you have no result the debutants' guide suggests running a seeding race, and every official half marathon and marathon counts. adidas Premiärmilen is the only 10 km that counts, and Premiärhalvan is run in April.

How to train for it

Build the long run to three hours

Most finishers are out between 3 h 56 min and 5 h 01 min, so the long runs matter more than speed. The organiser's own debutant guide says the active time of 3 to 6.5 hours is the biggest challenge for most runners and suggests prioritising long runs if time is short.

Run some hills in the second half

In 2026 the hardest sections, Katarinavägen, Hornsgatan/Lundagatan and Västerbron, come around the middle of the race. Include rolling hill repeats and steady climbs in your long runs and learn to shorten your stride on them.

Control the first kilometres

The organiser warns that the first kilometres are crowded and asks runners to start easy. Practise starting your long run 10 to 20 seconds per km slower than goal pace and aim to hit the planned pace only after the first 5 km.

Take the warm afternoon seriously

Starts are around 12:00 or later, so you run in the warmest part of the day. Do some long runs at midday in warm weather and practise your drink and fuel plan at that time of day.

Use the course trial run

The organiser has offered a trial run of the course in spring, with an Enervit aid station serving the same sports drink as race day. Run it if you can: it shows you the old-town surfaces and the hills at a gentle pace.

What you need

  • Bib collected at the expo (open Thursday to Saturday) with safety pins and a kitbag; wear the bib on the chest, in front, so it registers your time
  • Chip timing is tied to the bib; no bib means no time
  • A kitbag with warm clothes, handed in at Östermalms IP before the start
  • Running shoes you have trained in; World Athletics rules apply to elite shoes only
  • A bin bag or old top to wear until the start, to throw off before you run
  • Not allowed: wheeled devices, rollerblades, buggies, bikes, walking poles and bike escorts
  • Gels or energy you have tested; the course serves water, sports drink and extra energy at selected stations

Getting there and staying

The start is at Östermalm, on Lidingövägen outside the Stockholms Stadion clock tower, and the finish is inside the stadium. The organiser says that if you have to stop, the quickest way back is the nearest metro station, so carry a travel card or a phone to buy a ticket. Runners who miss a cut-off are driven back to a point near the Stadion.

The expo and bib collection are open from Thursday and the Zeta pasta party is the evening before. Friday has the adidas Shake Out Run (5 km, finishing inside the Stadion), and showers and a finish zone with recovery drinks and snacks are on the Saturday. The organiser links a page on what to see and do in the city.

History

The marathon is organised by the athletics clubs Hässelby SK and Spårvägens FK, and any surplus goes back to sport. The finish inside Stockholms Stadion, the stage for the 1912 Olympic Games, is a defining feature, and the organiser gives each year's medal a new Stockholm motif.

Where to find out more

Questions about adidas Stockholm Marathon

How long does Stockholm Marathon take?

The median finisher in 2026 took 4 h 28 min net. The middle half finished between 3 h 56 min and 5 h 01 min, and the slowest tenth took over 5 h 33 min. The winner ran 2 h 10 min 46 s.

What is the time limit?

6 h 30 min under the police permit, with four checkpoint cut-offs that apply regardless of when you crossed the start line. The checkpoint times are not published on the organiser's race pages, so check your participant information. If you miss one you are driven back near the Stadion.

Is the 2027 marathon sold out?

Yes. The organiser's registration page for 29 May 2027 says the event is sold out and the maximum number of participants has been reached (checked 15 October 2026).

How much does it cost?

For 2027 the price table runs from 1,295 kr to 1,995 kr across four periods, roughly 115 to 180 euros. Entries are binding and personal and not refunded if you cannot take part.

How old do I have to be?

You must be 18 or older during the year of the race: for 2027, born in 2009 or earlier.

Can I use a stroller, poles or a bike escort?

No. Wheeled devices, including strollers, bikes, rollerblades and handcycles, walking poles and accompanying cyclists are not allowed, except wheelchairs in the wheelchair class and special permits from the organiser.

Sources

Figures and rules on this page come from these pages, read on the dates given. Organisers change dates, fees and rules: check the official site before you enter.