Gothenburg: The Biggest Half Marathon In The World!

This is not just another race, it is the famous Göteborgsvarvet Half Marathon, the largest half marathon in the world! With 50,000 to 70,000 runners and 200,000 friendly spectators lining the course to cheer you on and multiple music bands located at strategic points to lift your moods, the Göteborgsvarvet is a must for your bucket list. It may be better known to English speaking runners as the Gothenburg Half Marathon.

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The Destination

Gothenburg is the second biggest city in Sweden, after Stockholm, with a population of 600,000 in the city area and another half a million in the wider metropolitan area.

Founded in 1621 by King Gustav II Adolf, Sweden’s second city soon established itself as a commercial fishing and shipbuilding hub, and later as a leader in transport innovation. Gothenburg is the birthplace of Volvo Cars and home to the Volvo Museum, where you can explore a unique collection of heritage vehicles. The city continues to be fiercely proud of its fishing heritage and there’s no better place to enjoy high-quality, locally sourced seafood than in one of Gothenburg’s many seafood restaurants. Gothenburg is a pocket-size metropolis, with many of its attractions at walking distance – or a Gothenburg tram ride away.

Explore 17th century Gothenburg in the cobblestone streets of Haga, a cosy, centrally located neighbourhood with traditional wood building housing independent shops and cafés and home to fortress Skansen Kronan streets, Check out Järntorget Square and the adjoining Långgatorna thoroughfares. You'll find the local delicacy here; Kannelbullar, cinnamon buns, with a difference.

The Museum of Gothenburg in East India House, once the hub of Gothenburg’s seafaring trade during its 18th century heyday is the place for the stories and objects that make up Gothenburg’s rich history. Artefacts range from Viking ship remains to the world’s first Volvo. Look out for it on the course as you come into the city from the waterfront.The Port of Gothenburg is the largest port in Scandinavia and the gateway to the world for a large proportion of Swedish industry and neighborhoods across the river are embracing its heritage. You'll pass many of them on the run.

It's the largest port city in Scandinavia

Save some time for Liseberg, one of the city's most popular attractions, a 100-year-old theme park. It's centrally located and has a huge selection of rides and very regular open air concerts. For some relaxation after the exertion head to Slottsskogen, a huge expanse of

parklands, natural forest and a zoo , and it's open all year round. There's also the Botanical Garden that's also worth a visit.

If you have a bit more time you can head out on public transport to the 20 islands that surround the city.

History

The first event was held in 1980, with 1800 runners signed up.

Race Organiser

Göteborgsvarvet is organized by Gothenburg Athletic Association which supports track and field activities in the region. More than 50 track and field clubs and about 4,000 volunteers are involved in the event.

When?

The race is held annually in May

Distances

Half Marathon

Is there an Expo?

The Göteborgsvarvet Expo is in Friidrottens Hus from Thursday through Saturday. Slot times for pick up are allocated by bib number. The expo offers everything you need for running, including many of the industry's leading brands.

How many runners?

50,000 - 70,000

Course

As with the vast majority of major distance running events around the world a seeding system is used to stagger the start, based on predicted finish times. Unusually this race starts in the afternoon; the first wave goes off at 1.00pm and the last at 4.00pm! That's how big this race is. The cut off to finish is 7.00pm.

The start is at Margretebergsgatan, a wide open space that's been the start area from the second year of the event in 1982. It's then north east for the first kilometer before runners take a loop around the lake and then head west at 2km.

Slottsskogen is the biggest park in Gothenburg and a popular place for locals to meet in the summertime. When the race is done, come back and spend time here. There is a lot to see including Azaleadalen, Lilla Dammen, and the beautiful August Kobb Pond Waterfall. At 3km runners leave the Park and continue west through Majorna and then on towards the waterfront and one of the highlights of the course, the Alvesborgsbron Bridge. This suspension bridge over the river Gota alv connects the mainland with the island of Hisingen. Opened in 1966, it's 933 metres long and only has a clearance of 45 metres meaning many large ships can't go under and have to moor just before it. Not far from the Bridge are the ruins of the mediaeval castle of Old Alvsborg, from which the Bridge takes its name.

After heading northeast across the Bridge, runners then turn east. Between 4km and 7km is the hilliest part of the course, mainly thanks to the Bridge. The rest is flat, apart from 16km, where there's another hill, just when you don't need it. From 7km to 9km runners head through Eriksberg, following the river and then into Lindholmen, which is also the halfway point. Lindholmen is home to many of the city's leading centers of learning, including the University of Gothenburg and the IT University and they collaborate with many of the hi-tech industries also located in this area, like Volvo, Ericsson and IBM. There are 21,000 people working or studying here. Look out for the Gothenburg Film Studios and the colorful Science Park building.

The neighborhood of Frihamnen is next. Frihamnen, the free-port, is both a new and an old part of the city. It's an urban environment, just by the river Göta Älv, connecting the two riversides in the very heart of the city. A new environment is gradually taking shape here formed with residential buildings, workplaces, greenery and innovation, bringing the old and the new together. Heading east from here you’ll come to Ringön, yet another old part of the harbour where new and exciting businesses and activities are opening up, like Vega Bryggeri, one of Gothenburg’s micro breweries.

Just before 14km runners head across the river again, coming south across Hisingsbron, along the waterfront, past the stunning opera house, the maritime museum with a fleet of historic ships and the casino. It's then a downtown tour that takes in many of the city's landmarks including the Gustaf Adolfs torg, the main town square.

From the City there is then an out and back section for a kilometer to the Gothenburg Museum of Art, just before 17km. It has one of the foremost art collections in Northern Europe. Works by masters such as Rembrandt, Picasso and van Gogh are shown side by side with works by contemporary artists such as Charlotte Gyllenhammar, Lina Selander and Cajsa von Zeipel.

It's then southwest through Vasa and along Ovre Husargatan and past the Natural History Museum on the right towards 19km. The final 2km is in the Park, with the finish at Slottskogsvallen. The stadium, built in 1923 and with a capacity of 8,500 is the perfect place to finish and it's buzzing here. There's plenty of room, there is a lot of food and drink and masseurs. Perfect.

There's a lot of live music along the course and the aid stations are plentiful, with water and energy drinks available. And there are thousands of spectators. Tens of thousands!

What's unique?

It's size; the biggest half in the world.

Do charities benefit?

During 2011-2025 Göteborgsvarvet Half Marathon has together with its participants collected and awarded well over one million dollars to charity. Many runners raise funds for their own preferred charity.

Our verdict

This is a pure bucket list race. There is nothing quite like an event of this size. There aren't many events like this anywhere in the world and this is a really cool city so wouldn't you want to do it?

How to register

Online via the website. It's a first come first served registration process, with no ballot.

Race website

https://www.goteborgsvarvet.se/en/