Stockholm Marathon U-turn over Nordic-only prize money

Stockholm Marathon organisers backtracked Thursday on controversial plans to only hand out prize money totalling 250,000 kronor (28,000 euros) to Nordic runners in the May 30 race.

The move was designed, organisers explained on Wednesday, to encourage long-distance running in Scandinavia.

Under the scheme a non-Nordic runner crossing the finish line first would walk away with only a medal, with their prize money going to the top-placed Nordic finisher.

But in a swift change of heart, organiser David Fridell announced: "Following all the debate, we've decided that runners (from non-Nordic countries) will receive the same amounts.

"That means that if an English runner wins and a Kenyan comes second, the first will receive 50,000 kronor and the second 25,000 kronor."

The last Nordic athlete to win the men's marathon was Sweden's Anders Szalkai in 2001, while his compatriot Isabellah Andersson won the women's race every year between 2008 and 2014 with the exception of 2012.

Swedish middle- and long-distance champion Rizak Dirshe was one of those speaking out against the initial scheme.

"It's like they want to kill the Stockholm Marathon. It's absurd. Nordic guys and girls who want to run fast, what are they going to do? They have to have some competition," he said.
Source: AFP