Running, Göteborg

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The last 28 years Göteborgsvarvet, a half marathon, has been ran in Gothenburg in May. In 2007 there were 40 000 runners who ran the 21,5 kilometers through the center of the city.

This is a huge event in the city, and people are standing in lines along the path to watch the people run by.

I saw it for the first time this year, and I must say that I'm impressed by the athletes. I would never, nowadays, run a race like this. 21,5 kilometers on asphalt would kill my knees and back for good, but it's impressive to see others do it.

The form is very different. Most of the persons in the beginning have been training all winter, and when I saw them pass by my appartment after seven kilometers, they looked fresh.

But others have trained quite less, and it wouldn't be a lie to say that they looked less fresh... ;)

The race starts and finish in Slottskogen, at Slottskogsvallen. From there the runners goes over Älvsborgsbron (one bridge), over to Hisingen island (where I live) and then back over at Götaälvbron (another bridge), passing Avenyn and a lot of other famous sights in the city.

This year me and some friends made a funny day about it. Took out some cold beers from the fridge, and sat down in the grass watching the athletes. Were quite many persons who looked envious at our beers I have to say... :D

Equipment: Running shoes, and really good ones!!

It costs 300 SEK to be in the race, but remember to apply early as they only have a certain amount of starting places. So decide early if you want to run or not, and then apply during the winter.

Göteborgsvarvet (a local pun since "varv" means both lap and wharf), is a half marathon taking place in May every year. There is also a youth event in the Slottsskogen park linked to it. The official site below will tell you everything you need to know to register, or just watch along the way. Amongst the funnier things with the race is that you get to run across the Älvsborgsbron bridge in the picture.

Every year, several thousand people run the 21 kilometers that is the Gothenburg half-marathon. This year (2004) there were around 35.000 people of all ages running.

Some run to win, some run for the fun of it, some because they lost a bet... Many dress up in costumes and a few students even ran with a sail-like flag. That must have been tough when the wind was against them!

And it you, like me, don't fancy running 21 km just to end up a few hundred meters from where you started, do as the rest of Gothenburg's population. Find a pice of grass along the race and sit down to cheer the runners. A good time is guaranteed.

Equipment: Well, a pair of good running shoes and if you run just for fun then why not a funny costume? Just make sure it's not to heavy!