Registration for the biggest running events in Denmark at the moment is opening fast. A record-breaking and sold-out Copenhagen Marathon in 2024 was just one of several record sales for Denmark’s largest race organizers, Sparta Atletik & Løb. They make no secret of the fact that the tailwind gives them the courage to give participants even more in return for their efforts in their running shoes.

As early as 2025, the ambitions will be raised to a new level. This will happen when 18,000 starting numbers go on sale for the Copenhagen Marathon on Tuesday, June 4 at 12 noon. In 2024, there was a ceiling of 15,000 participants. The race was sold out four months before the start, and many had to leave in vain. Therefore, there are many indications that there is a good basis for making the marathon even bigger. Sparta Atletik & Løb also expects the Copenhagen Marathon to be sold out again.

It’s not just the size of the running party that the organizers are ready to scale up.

“In addition to increasing the number of participants, we are focusing on developing our organization, logistics, execution and the race experience even more. Therefore, we believe it is realistic that Copenhagen Marathon will move up in the league just below marathons like London, New York and Paris,” says Dorte Vibjerg, CEO of Sparta Athletics & Running.

Copenhagen attracts many international runners
The growth in interest in running is due to several factors. This applies to both a general enthusiasm for running, which has grown in recent years, but for Copenhagen in particular, it is clear that the capital has a strong attraction – not least for the international audience.

At this year’s Copenhagen Marathon, Sparta Atletik & Løb saw the largest proportion of international participants to date. In fact, 48% of those registered were from abroad.

“I have no doubt that this is due to Copenhagen’s attractiveness and our close collaboration with Wonderful Copenhagen and others,” says Dorte Vibjerg.

Spin-off benefits of a running movement
But she doesn’t just see the spread of good running habits to a wider section of the population as an economic benefit for Copenhagen and Denmark.

“When more people find the joy of community through running experiences, it naturally creates results that benefit both physical and mental health across age groups. It is extremely positive that we have seen a lower average age at our big races and that we have a better grip on young people. It also actively contributes to combating loneliness and strengthens social cohesion at a time when it is otherwise under pressure,” says Dorte Vibjerg.

Copenhagen Marathon 2025 will be held on Sunday, May 11, 2025.

Facts about Copenhagen Marathon

• Copenhagen Marathon sold out in 2024 for the first time in the race’s history.
• 15,100 participants took part in 2024, and in 2025 the number of participants will increase to 18,000.
• The organizer is Sparta Athletics & Running.
• Sparta held the first marathon in Copenhagen in 1980 with 995 participants.
• Since 1980, Sparta has held marathons annually (with the exception of the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020/2021).