The heat was no match for the more than 20,000 runners who gathered in the streets of central Stockholm to take part in a new edition of the Swedish capital’s marathon. From elite athletes to recreational runners with deeply personal motivations, the race brought together stories of every kind across its 42 kilometres.
Among the most notable participants was Börje Carlsson, a runner who has taken part in every edition of the Stockholm Marathon since its inaugural race in 1979 and who this year was set to complete his 47th. Drawing on decades of experience on the asphalt, Carlsson had a clear piece of advice for first-timers: ‘If it’s your first marathon, don’t go out running as fast as you can.’ A simple warning, yet one that carries all the wisdom of someone who has learned to respect the distance.
Vaseline to prevent chafing, personal crises that push people to lace up their running shoes for the first time, and the unconditional support of family and friends lining the route all formed part of the human landscape that each year turns this event into something far greater than a sporting competition. The Stockholm Marathon, which winds through some of the city’s most iconic settings, once again proved that its appeal goes well beyond the clock.
Original source: SVT Nyheter