Back by popular demand. Marathongruppen, race organisers of ASICS Stockholm Marathon, like the sound of the Ssideline City Run Club cheer zone. For the third straight year we were back screaming our hearts out for every person taking on the Stockholm Marathon.
In 2015 we were maybe 10 friends in the pouring rain, each experimenting with slogans in search for a runners smile. When Erin Dafydd bellowed “Fuck the Bridge” for the first time, it all came together for runners and for cheerers as our territory is right before the famous Västerbron in Hornstull.
2016 saw us turn cheering into a two part event, a sign making ‘after work’ event on the Friday and the cheer zone on race day. The result was an amazing interaction between cheerer and runner, some runners even stopping for a selfie with our hand made signs. This cheer zone also gained attention for our crew as Runners World Sweden dedicated a double page spread to our efforts.
This year it felt a bit like a tradition, another two part event with an after work sign making workshop/picnic in the park and then the main event. I use the word tradition because runners and cheerers were expecting us to be there. Strangers showing up to show their respects by waiving our signs and runners shouting out ‘Fuck The Bridge’, some adding ‘And Fuck Trump too’ as they entered our zone.
The Ssideline City Run Club cheer zone is an exchange between people on both sides, runners and cheerers who understand the epic challenge of what it takes to conquer the distance.
Shouts to Ulf Saletti (event director for ASICS Stockholm Marathon), Berit Bretschneider and Anders Pemer for organising + for taking the great photos and also to everyone who showed up. We will continue to grow and promise to be back in 2018, join us!
Kristian Hell Founder/Co-captain Ssideline City Run Club
Photo credit: Anders Pemer Berit Bretschneider
