It’s the biggest marathon ever on Danish soil, but will it also turn out to be the fastest? Only time, literally, will tell as the 46th edition of the Copenhagen Marathon kicks off this Sunday.

It took less than 24 hours to sell all 25,000 bibs in May last year. As always, a packed elite field – dominated by the notoriously strong East African runners – will be at the front, aiming for honor, prize money, and perhaps a bonus for a new race record.

2:07:00 is the target
Three pacers are set to target a finishing time of 2:07:00, well ahead of the mark of 2:08:23 set by Berhane Tsegay of Eritrea four years ago. Two of his compatriots, Merhawi Kesete and Henok Tesfay, boast personal bests of 2:06:36 and 2:07:12 respectively. However, this year’s race seems to have more than a handful of favorites.

Last year’s runner-up, Vincent Mutai of Kenya, returns to the Danish capital where his current PB of 2:09:09 was set. He is one of eleven runners who have previously dipped under the 2:10 limit. Among them, Lahsene Bouchikhi (PB 2:08:36) of Belgium is the only European.

Two former winners return to Copenhagen
Sharon Kiptugen was only five seconds short of the race record of 2:23:14 when she won the women’s race last year. The 27-year-old Kenyan is back, but she will face tougher competition this year. Rodah Chepkorir, who set the current race record in 2023, will be there again, as will Ethiopia’s Bezunesh Getachew, who won the 2023 Frankfurt Marathon in a world-class time of 2:19:27.

One should also look out for Mercy Chepwogen, who earlier this year took 3rd place at the Paris Half Marathon in 1:06:33. The Copenhagen Marathon will be her debut at the full distance. Turning 30 years old on the very same day, it could indeed be a memorable day for the Kenyan.

A prelude to the World Championships
Earlier this year, a new series including eight races under the label “European Marathon Classics” was announced. Among them, naturally, is the Copenhagen Marathon, which again this year hosts the National Championships.

While it may be the biggest marathon ever in Denmark, it is only a prelude to an even bigger event: in September, Copenhagen will host the World Athletics Road Running Championships, further marking the Danish capital as a true city of runners.