Exactly 16 days ago, more than 19,000 runners lined up for the 46th edition of the Copenhagen Marathon. The iconic 42.195 km through Copenhagen and Frederiksberg were completed in near-perfect weather conditions with incredible support along the course.

Locals and runners’ friends and families turned out in large numbers to cheer — a boost felt by many, including 52-year-old Lise Friis:

“I’ve run the Copenhagen Marathon several times, and this was by far the best in every way. For the first time, I truly felt like part of something bigger — and that wasn’t just because of the number of participants, but everything surrounding the race. Everything was stepped up. The course, the positivity, the vibe — it was all incredibly uplifting. And crossing the finish line together with my daughter made it even more special,” says Lise Friis, who adds that she’ll be ready by the keyboard when registration opens today.

Lise Friis is one of nearly 7,000 runners who took the time to respond to the post-race survey, rating their overall Copenhagen Marathon experience a strong 9 out of 10. The Net Promoter Score (NPS) also came in high — 78 for Danish participants and 82 for international ones.

Raising the Bar for 2026
In the survey, runners rated various aspects of the event and could also share free-form feedback in an open comment field.

These insights are being carefully reviewed by the organizers at Sparta Athletics & Running and will be part of their planning going forward. Based on the feedback, they’re now ready to aim even higher for next year, says Event Director Lars Nissen:

“First and foremost, we’re incredibly pleased to see that runners were, overall, very satisfied with their experience at the Copenhagen Marathon. We’ve been running this event for over 40 years, and it has undergone a remarkable evolution — something we’re very proud of,” says Lars Nissen.

“That doesn’t mean we’re sitting back and enjoying the success. We’re fully aware of areas where we can still improve — some of which come directly from the survey comments, as well as our own internal evaluation.”

As the event director points out, Copenhagen Marathon has been around for a long time. In fact, it was first held back in 1980 with just under 1,000 participants.

Longstanding Partnerships Pay Off
With many years of history comes strong, lasting partnerships — a key part of making the event possible.

“The strong relationships we’ve built with the City of Copenhagen, the Municipality of Frederiksberg, Wonderful Copenhagen, and, of course, the authorities are absolutely essential. Hosting an event of this scale in the city requires collaboration and solid ties with our key partners,” says Lars Nissen.

He finishes by extending appreciation even further:

“We’re also deeply grateful to our dedicated crew and the many volunteer clubs who support us. Without them, there would be no race. And without the incredible support from the city’s residents along the route, the atmosphere wouldn’t be the same. So we owe a massive thank you to so many.”

Sparta Athletics & Running collaborates with a wide range of sports and community clubs who provide volunteers for the event. In return, Sparta contributes around DKK 3 million annually to support these local organizations.

Facts about Copenhagen Marathon

• Copenhagen Marathon will take place on May 10, 2026
• Registration for next year’s edition opens today, May 27, 2025, at 11:00 AM
• The Copenhagen Marathon was first held in 1980
• The event is organized by Sparta Athletics & Running
• Learn more: www.copenhagenmarathon.dk