Breaking limits

Copenhagen is known to be liveable and innovative. A place where things move fast, and where new solutions and boundaries are explored. That also goes for the city’s famous ‘Gold Label’ half marathon, the Copenhagen Half Marathon – or CPH Half as it’s commonly known. It is said that the CPH Half is “the place for breaking limits”, and there are several reasons why that seems to be true.

The CPH Half derives from the 2014 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships as a ‘legacy’ event. At that time the half marathon was starting to trend as a shorter and more manageable distance than the marathon. The World Championships was combined with a mass participation race resulting in 30,000 entrants. They all wanted to be part of the unique opportunity to run alongside the world’s road running heroes. With Denmark being quite an enthusiastic sports nation, thousands of spectators did too, and still do.

The course was designed to be fast, but turned out to be almost unbelievably so. The fast times quickly resounded throughout the running world and the annual CPH Half was born. It was a new event with huge ambitions which were quickly realised through the men’s world record being set in the 2019 race and the women’s European record in 2018, and through membership as one of the five half marathons in the European SuperHalfs running series.

Since the inaugural edition of the Copenhagen Half Marathon in 2015 – and despite two years of corona cancellations – the event has sold out twice. Based on the current registration numbers the organisers expect the same for the 9th edition taking place on 17 September.

So what is it that makes 25,000 runners from more than 110 countries travel to Copenhagen to run 21,0975 km? The course has been designed not just to be fiercely fast but also to showcase the very best of Copenhagen. It integrates all the central city districts, each of which have their own distinct vibe. You’ll feel the entire city buzzing with energy and excitement from the day you arrive to the moment you cross the finish line encouraged by a thick crowd along the entire home stretch. The on-course entertainment programme is not left to chance; rather it is in the very DNA of the event. You could say that you’re not running in the city so much as running with the city. In recent years the CPH Half has committed to reducing its environmental imprint, continuously looking to apply smarter and more sustainable solutions.

Copenhagen indeed is a place for moving forward and breaking limits.