Peter Häggström: My 5 best runs
Publish date: 23 August 2024
Stockholm’s proximity to nature and the sea makes it a perfect place for recreation and health. The islands in central Stockholm are ideal for long runs along the water. We spoke with Peter Häggström and asked him to share his five favorite suggestions for runs in the city.
Entrepreneur and former track & field star, Peter Häggström has won many gold medals in the Swedish championships and he’s a man with many irons in the fire. He's an expert commentator for many track & field broadcasts on TV and when he’s not doing that, he’s busy working with the performance wear brand, YMR Track Club, as its founder and CEO.
Here are Peter’s 5 favorite runs.
Djurgården: "I like to take the boat out to Blockhusudden and then run along the canal over to Waldemarsudde and then back along the water. It’s a great surface to run on nearly the entire time and the surroundings are absolutely beautiful. It’s like being out in the country, even though you’re right in the middle of the city."
Around Kungsholmen: "Here, you get to see Stockholm from a slight distance while taking in the views of Norr Mälarstrand, Kungsholmsstrand, and Stockholm City Hall. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more beautiful running track."
Kvarnholmen - Nyckelviken: "For this run, I start out in the attractive, very cool neighborhood of Kvarnholmen, which is in Nacka and where I happen to live. I run along Nacka Strand to Nyckelviken, where it’s a bit more hilly and there is an excellent surface for running. It’s a route where you get to experience it all: the urban environment, sea, and forest."
Stockholm Olympic Stadium - Stadion: "I’ve competed in many stadiums around the world, but none is more lovely than Stadion. Loads of world records have been set here and it is open to the public. The tracks there are quick and have a surface perfect for running. You get this powerful feeling, just by being here."
Early morning in the city: "You'll pass many of Stockholm's most beautiful and iconic locations on this route. Start out early to avoid traffic. Begin at Gamla Stan and then head left towards the Royal Palace. Continue via Grand Hotel, Nybroplan, and along Strandvägen. Then, head off towards SVT (headquarters studios for Sveriges Television, The Swedish Public Service TV) before turning off towards Karlavägen. Then, run all the way towards Humlegården. Cross “Humlan” and then keep running through Stureplan, Kungsträdgården, and over to Slussen. Reward yourself with a coffee at the end, at one of the many great cafés on Götgatan in Södermalm."