Bridges have always fascinated me. A bridge connects two points; like holding hands. To me, a bridge is a symbol of hope. These amazing constructions with their architecture and beauty also remind us about history. As a runner, I love crossing bridges and I’ve had the fortune to run on many bridges around the world.

Stockholm

One of the things that fascinated me the most when I moved to Stockholm was all the water that surrounded the city. Many islands form the city and in order to get from one point to another, you have to cross a bridge. The largest bridge is The West Bridge (Västerbron) which connects the islands of Södermalm and Kungsholmen. Everyone who has run the Stockholm Marathon knows about its high point. From the top, there is a magnificent view; the city center to the east and the suburbs and nature to the west.

On a run with a friend last summer, we crossed ten bridges. In how many cities can you do that? Crossing a bridge, running over water; this always gives me a sense of connection. I am a part of something, allowed to move from one place to another.

My favorite bridges abroad

The first amazing bridge that I saw was Tower Bridge in London. It was on my first school trip abroad; I was thirteen years old. I haven’t had the chance yet to run on Tower Bridge but hopefully, I will run the London Marathon one day.

When I ran the New York Marathon in 2004, I was too exhausted to enjoy most of the bridges that you cross in the race. I remember The Verrazzano Bridge at the start but the others, I hardly noticed. However, the most beautiful bridge in New York is Brooklyn Bridge which I have crossed on foot as a tourist.

When I first saw the Golden Gate Bridge on my first trip to San Francisco in 2003, I was awed. One day, I would come back and run the San Francisco Marathon and so I did in 2017. I had been looking forward to crossing the bridge twice but as San Francisco is known for its fog, I wasn’t in luck that morning of the race. I crossed the bridge twice but I didn’t see it at all; the fog was thick and we runners could only see a few meters in front of us. I even tried to look up but no, just fog. Anyway, I’ve had the occasion to enjoy this beautiful bridge more than once (just not in the marathon).

There are so many beautiful bridges in the world and I’ve only visited a few. Charles Bridge in Prague is historic and it gives a sense of being back in time. Pont Neuf in Paris makes me feel like I am in a movie. Pont Mirabou further down the Seine makes me think of Apollinaire and his poem about the bridge. Hammersmith Bridge in London takes you from the pulse of the city to the calm nature of London Wetland Centre.

Connection

The Øresund Bridge connects my two countries: Denmark where I was born and Sweden where I live. This bridge is long and fascinating and ends up in a tunnel in Denmark and suddenly you are back on land. Somehow, I feel closer to home and my roots by knowing that the bridge is there. I grew up in Jutland so I cross two other bridges to get there: The Great Belt Bridge (Storebæltsbroen) and the Little Belt Bridge (Lillebæltsbroen); there’s an old and a new one. The old one is for trains and the new for cars.

One of my dream destinations to visit is Sydney, Australia. I’ve only seen the Sydney Harbour Bridge on television so my goal is to go to Sydney one day and run the Sydney Marathon.