adidas Stockholm Half Marathon has been held since 2001 in late August, organised by Marathongruppen with Hässelby SK and Spårvägens FK, the same team behind the Stockholm Marathon. It starts and finishes at the Royal Palace, and the fast, easy-running course passes through Norrmalm, Vasastan, Kungsholmen, Gamla Stan and Södermalm along waterfronts, bridges and historic streets, a real running tour of the capital. The expo and bib pickup are in Kungsträdgården park, where the celebrations continue after the finish. Late summer, warm evenings and water all around make it one of northern Europe's most beautiful half marathons. Stockholm offers Gamla Stan, the Vasa Museum, Skansen, fika with cinnamon buns and the archipelago.
An easy run with a local club the day before the race — the best way to shake out the legs and meet the city.