Set to Host Over 21,000 Runners, this 44th edition highlights growing community engagement and support for local clubs.
Amy Pavri / Janna Fontbona
The first Copenhagen Marathon was held in 1980 with just 995 runners. Next week, on May 11th , over 21,000 participants will take part in the event’s 44th edition, the largest in its history. All entry spots were claimed in just 12 weeks – 8 months in advance of race day – making it the quickest sell-out the event has seen to date.
As a city that aims to be carbon neutral by 2025, sustainability is at the core of an array of initiatives in Copenhagen, and the marathon is no exception. Last year’s event showcased an ambitious push towards sustainability, from biodegradable race bibs to plastic-free water stations. Sparta Athletics is the non-profit organisation behind the event and hopes to go one step further to aid environmental efforts on this year’s race day.
“This year, we will collect runners’ spare clothes in the starting area and ensure they are either donated or disposed of responsibly,” says Christian Thestrup, a representative of the organization.
Other sustainability initiatives include donating leftover fruit from the race, to a company that uses them to make ice cream.
“Sustainability is something we place a lot of focus on, and we always try to do things a bit better than the previous year,” Thestrup adds.
The event is largely reliant on volunteers, recruiting a majority of individuals through local sports clubs and other associations, which are compensated for their support. Each year, Sparta Athletics & Running returns 2.5 million DKK to these clubs.
As the runners prepare to take their marks, the marathon promises a day of personal triumphs, community pride, and sustainable progress.