Copenhagen Half Marathon is an international road race held every September in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark. Covering the standard half marathon distance of 21.0975 kilometers, the race is open to both elite and amateur runners. It is classified as a "Gold Label" event by World Athletics.

History

The race was first held on September 13, 2015. Its foundation lies in the success of the 2014 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships, hosted in Copenhagen. The event is organized by the Danish Athletics Federation and Sparta Athletics Club.

In 2016, the Copenhagen Half Marathon received the World Athletics Gold Label status, quickly gaining international recognition. In 2019, Geoffrey Kamworor’s time of 58:01 set a new men's half marathon world record at the time. In 2026, Copenhagen will host the World Athletics Road Running Championships.

Route

The course is flat, wide, and entirely closed to traffic, offering optimal running conditions. Starting in Østerbro, the route passes through several districts before finishing at Frederiksberg Allé. Runners pass through the following areas:

• Østerbro
• Nørrebro
• Frederiksberg
• Vesterbro
• Inner City (Indre By)

^{Copenhagen Half Marathon Course (Copenhagen Half Marathon)}

Key landmarks along the route include the Old Stock Exchange (Børsen), the Parliament (Christiansborg), the Marble Church (Marmorkirken), the Black Diamond Library, Rosenborg Castle, and Nyhavn. The course offers participants the opportunity to experience Copenhagen’s cultural and historical landscape. A detailed map of the course is available via the provided link.

Records and Top Performances

Course Records (in Copenhagen):

• Men: Geoffrey Kamworor (Kenya), 2019 – 58:01
• Women: Tsehay Gemechu (Ethiopia), 2021 – 1:05:08

World Records (Overall):

• Men: Yomif Kejelcha (Ethiopia), 57:30 – Valencia Half Marathon, October 22, 2023
• Women: Letesenbet Gidey (Ethiopia), 1:02:52 – Valencia Half Marathon, October 24, 2021

High Performances in Copenhagen:

• In 2024, four male athletes finished under 59 minutes.
• Thirteen female athletes finished under 1 hour and 10 minutes in the same year.
• Sebastian Sawe (Kenya) won the 2024 race in 58:05, and Margaret Kipkemboi (Kenya) won the women's race in 1:05:11.
• Jakob Ingebrigtsen (Norway) completed his first half marathon in Copenhagen with a time of 1:03:13.

Entry Requirements

The race is open to anyone aged 18 and over. There is no lottery or qualifying standard for general entry, and registration remains open until the event reaches capacity. In 2019, 2022, 2023, and 2024, all slots sold out quickly.

Elite A Category:

Entry is by invitation only, based on performance history, World Athletics ranking, and international success.

Elite B Category:

Runners can qualify for Elite B start zones with the following standards (times achieved between 01.01.2024 and 01.09.2025):

Men:

• Half Marathon: ≤ 1:06:00
• 10K: ≤ 29:45
• 5K: ≤ 14:15

Women:

• Half Marathon: ≤ 1:16:00
• 10K: ≤ 34:15
• 5K: ≤ 16:30

^{Copenhagen Half Marathon (Generated Using Artificial Intelligence)}

Prizes

General Prize Purse (as of 2025):

• 1st place: €10,000
• 2nd place: €6,000
• 3rd place: €4,000
• 4th place: €3,000
• 5th place: €2,000
• 6th place: €1,500
• 7th place: €1,200
• 8th place: €1,000

Bonus Awards:

• World Record: +€5,000
• European Record: +€3,000
• Course Record: +€5,000

Community Events and City Culture

The Copenhagen Half Marathon is not just a sporting event but also a cultural and social festival spread across the city. Activities during race week include:

• CPH Mini Marathon: 1–2 km races for children
• Tivoli Garden Run: A morning run through the historic amusement park
• Training Groups: Tempo runs starting from Østerbro Stadium for the last 7 Sundays before the race
• Regional Training Sessions: In collaboration with running clubs across Denmark
• 12-Week Free Training Plans: Provided by Nike Run Club and Sparta
• Power Zones: Over 20 zones with DJs and live music along the course

Accommodation and transportation options are well-developed, and the metro system offers easy access to all start and finish points. Participants also have the opportunity to visit Copenhagen’s major cultural attractions such as Nyhavn, Christianshavn, Glyptotek, Tivoli Gardens, and Den Blå Planet aquarium.

SuperHalfs Series

The Copenhagen Half Marathon is part of the SuperHalfs series, which includes six prestigious European half marathons. Participants who complete all six races within a set period earn a SuperMedal and collect stamps in their SuperPassport. The races included are:

• Lisbon Half Marathon (Portugal)
• Prague Half Marathon (Czech Republic)
• Copenhagen Half Marathon (Denmark)
• Cardiff Half Marathon (United Kingdom)
• Berlin Half Marathon (Germany)
• Valencia Half Marathon (Spain)

Participants can register through the official SuperHalfs website and receive stamps after each race. Those who complete the series within 60 months are awarded a special commemorative medal and digital certificate.

Copenhagen represents a key stop in the series with its race tempo, cityscape, and organizational excellence.

Media Coverage and Broadcasting

The Copenhagen Half Marathon is broadcast live nationally and internationally. The race, particularly due to its elite fields, is made available globally through platforms like World Athletics Inside Track. In 2024, the event was streamed live and free of charge on World Athletics' platform, with local broadcast restrictions only in Denmark and Norway. An annual media accreditation system is available for international press representatives. Media coverage increases significantly in years when records are broken or when globally recognized elite athletes participate.