High heat, heightened terror threat in the country and demonstrations that are taking place simultaneously with Saturday's Stockholm Marathon.
The organizers have taken extra security measures at today's large festival in the capital.
Over 20,000 runners are expected to participate in the race and a few hundred thousand or more can gather in the audience around the city. The race can be seen as a possible target for terrorists, at the same time as the threat level in Sweden is assessed as high – a four on a five-grade scale.
Last year, new measures were taken again, primarily related to various activist actions around the race. For example, the staff groups were expanded and the track was reinforced.
Extra security measures that have been taken in consultation with the police include a total ban on backpacks at Östermalm IP and Stockholm Stadium, where the start and finish are located. In addition, a ban on accompanying persons applies at Östermalm IP.
Examples of such places where many people gather are the classic public areas on Södermalm, the stretch of Odengatan-Sveavägen-Kungsgatan, and at the start on Lidingövägen.
For the organizers, the focus is on ensuring that the structure and flows at the race run as smoothly as possible. The police are responsible for the pure security work, explains Fridell.
In general, people feel safe participating in the race and being in the audience, he assesses. The questions about security are few.
Stockholm supports its marathon, he knows.
