Stockholm Marathon
Saturday, May 30, 2026
Elevation Gain
60m
Elevation Range
38m
Avg Temperature
57°F / 14°C
Course Profile
rolling
Course Map & Elevation
Course Overview
A two-lap course built across several islands with approximately 60m of total elevation gain, producing a rolling profile with constant 10-40m undulations. The race starts and finishes inside the 1912 Olympic Stadium. The defining feature is the noon start — unlike most marathons, you run through the warmest part of a June day, making heat management as important as fitness.
Key Segments
Sodermalm Hills
Terrain: The hardest sustained climbs on the course, rising roughly 25-30m over a kilometre on Sodermalm island, with compensating descents
Challenge: The steepest climbs on the course come early and again on lap 2 (km 24-28). The second-lap climb on tired legs is the toughest section of the race.
Tactic: Shorten your stride, keep cadence up, and resist the urge to power over them. Do not overstride on the compensating downhills — protect your quads for lap 2.
Djurgarden Island
Terrain: Wooded waterfront paths with rolling terrain between 10-35m. Scenic but quiet, with fewer spectators.
Challenge: The quietest section of the course. Many runners lose focus and slow down through Djurgarden, especially on the second lap (km 29-34).
Tactic: Be prepared to run your own pace here without crowd energy. If you can hold pace through Djurgarden on lap 2, you will pass dozens of fading runners.
Ostermalm & Strandvagen
Terrain: Flat, wide roads along the harbour at Strandvagen with strong crowd support
Challenge: The flatness and crowd energy tempt surges after the rolling Djurgarden section. On lap 2 (km 35-38) this is the last flat stretch before the finish.
Tactic: Use this section to settle into rhythm after the hills. On lap 2, this is where you make your move if you have energy left.
Olympic Stadium Finish
Terrain: Approaching the stadium through city streets, then entering the 1912 Olympic Stadium for a full lap of the track
Challenge: Fatigue is extreme after two laps of rolling terrain in the heat. The stadium entry requires a final surge.
Tactic: Save something for the stadium. The adrenaline of entering through the marathon gate can carry you through the final 400m even when your legs are gone.
Race-Specific Training
- •Heat acclimatise for at least 7-10 days before the race — the noon start means running through the warmest part of a June day, unlike any spring or autumn marathon
- •Train on rolling terrain with repeated 10-40m elevation changes to build the eccentric leg strength and hip flexor endurance needed for the constant undulations across two laps
- •Practice your pre-race nutrition for a noon start — eat your main meal at 8-9am and a small snack 60-90 minutes before, which is different timing from a typical early-morning marathon
Conditions & Environment
Altitude
Sea level. Course ranges from 8m to 38m. No altitude concerns.
Weather
Early June, noon start. Typical temps at start 15-25C (59-77F) with full sun. Temperatures can exceed 20C, requiring pace adjustment of 5-10 sec/km.
Sun & Wind
Full afternoon sun exposure through most of the course. Djurgarden offers some tree shade. Water and harbor sections can have a breeze.
What to Wear
Light singlet and shorts. Sunscreen essential. Consider a light cap for sun protection. Hydrate aggressively at every station.
Pacing Strategy
| Segment | Pace | Note |
|---|---|---|
| km 3-7 (Sodermalm) | 5-10 sec/km slower on climbs | Shorten stride on the hills. Do not power over them — you will pay on lap 2. |
| km 8-13 (Djurgarden) | Goal pace | Hold pace through the quiet section. Stay focused without crowd energy. |
| km 14-17 (Strandvagen) | Goal pace | Flat harbour stretch. Settle into rhythm. Use crowd energy without surging. |
| km 40-42.195 (Stadium) | Whatever you have left | The iconic 1912 Olympic Stadium finish. Save something for the track lap. |
Race Day Tip
Because the race starts at noon, your pre-race nutrition timing is different from most marathons. Eat your main meal 3-4 hours before (around 8-9am) and a small top-up snack 60-90 minutes before the start. Do not skip breakfast thinking you will eat at the start — you need those glycogen stores topped off.
Race details subject to change. Verify with the official race website.
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