This was the Midnattsloppet (Midnight Run) 10k in Stockholm, Sweden, in July 2001. It had been 12 years since I last ran in a race and I decided I needed a really cool race to motivate me to get back into running. This worked out well. Despite the name, the race started at 10 p.m., but it was huge, both in runners and fan support. The entire route was lined with cheering, screaming fans, including children, chanting something in Swedish, which I don’t speak a word of, but it didn’t matter. I think there were about 25,000 runners. That run through the streets of Stockholm that night was something I’ll always treasure. I still have the T-shirt, which cost extra, but there are no sponsor ads on it, just the race logo. Best of all, it did motivate me to get back into running, and five years later I’ve completed 6 marathons and a whole bunch of shorter races. The Midnattsloppet started it all.
Submitted by Russ Johnson (PerfesserR on the Phedippidations Forum)
