WRRC Half-marathon Copenhagen

/September 20th 2026 - 1h55/

/Elevation 103m - Temperature 16℃

/Access via the ballot in March or the last minute waiting list.

/Sponsor: Asics

/44000 participants.

/Cut-off time: 3h.

"A few days before the race, I registered to the last minute waiting list without believing in it. I was planning a long run anyway on the same day."

And I got in!! It was only 2h drive to go to Copenhagen and a good long run training to prepare Lisbon marathon 2 weeks later if I was keeping my marathon pace without pushing too much.

This race was a particularly special edition of Copenhagen's half marathon: the World Athletics Road Running Championships (WRRC). Unlike an ordinary city half marathon, this was an official World Championship, where recreational runners could compete on the same course as some of the fastest athletes in the world. When I casually registered I thought it would be a small and discreet event. I didn't realise the importance of this race until I went to the expo!

THE EXPO

This is when I realised that the event was worth the trip! The Expo was one of the highlights of the weekend. Held over four days at Forum Copenhagen, it was exceptionally well organised and had the atmosphere of a major international running event. Spread across two floors, it brought together leading running brands, exclusive World Championship merchandise, interactive experiences, food stands and social running activities.

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ASICS had a strong presence, while the Runners Wall, where participants could find their names, added a special personal touch. Everything felt polished, professional and worthy of a World Championship. It was much more than a place to collect a bib — it was a proper celebration of running, and a fantastic way to build excitement before race day.

The event was designed to be one of the largest mass-participation World Athletics championships ever held.

THE COURSE

It was designed to be flat, fast, scenic and spectator-friendly, passing some of Copenhagen's most beautiful landmarks.

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The course was particularly attractive for personal best attempts thanks to its limited elevation changes, broad roads and enthusiastic spectators. Its main potential challenges were wind exposure, crowded sections and the many turns through the city.

THE WEATHER

The weather was relatively good for distance running, although the wind became increasingly noticeable. Temperatures climbed towards 18°C by noon, with wind gusts reported up to approximately 55 km/h. For runners aiming for a personal best, the wind was probably a bigger obstacle than the temperature. And then, 2h after the start it rained dramatically!

⭐Copenhagen Tip !

Or should I say Denmark tip. The weather can change quickly and dramatically, from ideal conditions to the worse. Be ready with extra layers.

THE ATMOSPHERE

The atmosphere was one of the major attractions of the event. Copenhagen is well known for its enthusiastic running community, and the organisers positioned DJs, music, entertainment and Power Zones around the course. A particularly memorable section was the crossing of Dronning Louises Bro, while the finish on Øster Allé was designed to create a tunnel of noise from spectators.

WHERE TO STAY

The start is near Fælledparken, so I would recommend anything within walking distance north, west or south west of the park (the area in yellow on the picture).

We stayed at Fairfield by Marriott Nordhavn in the harbor (which was nice) but we had to walk a big detour due to roads closure.