Largest ever: 65,000 runners can participate in the World Championships in Copenhagen

Six world champions and 65,000 runners just behind them. In September 2026, the heart of Copenhagen is expected to be the stage for Denmark’s largest-ever participant event.

The World Athletics Road Running Championships Copenhagen 26 (WRRC 26) will take place on September 19-20, 2026. A total of 65,000 participants will join the running festivities behind the world's fastest female and male athletes competing in the Half Marathon, 5K, and One Mile distances.

"It is truly unique that both the world elite and recreational runners can participate in a world championship in the streets of Copenhagen. I hope there will be great spectator support both along the course and among those lacing up their running shoes, so we can show the rest of the world that Copenhagen is worth betting on as a host for major events that create joy, engagement, and attract tourists to the city," says Lord Mayor of Copenhagen, Lars Weiss.

He is followed by the Mayor of Culture and Leisure, who point out the historical element of the event:

"The World Athletics Road Running Championships in 2026 will be more than just a championship. In collaboration between Sparta, Danish Athletics, the City of Copenhagen, and a range of strong partners, the event will be the culmination of a running festival that invites Copenhageners and visitors to experience the city at running pace. With the potential to become the largest participant event ever on Danish soil, it will be a historic occasion where exercise, community, and Copenhagen’s unique setting come together," says Mayor of Culture and Leisure, Mia Nyegaard.

The City of Copenhagen, together with Sport Event Denmark and Wonderful Copenhagen, is behind the championship, which is organized for World Athletics by Danish Athletics and Sparta Athletics & Running.

Building on success
 

This is not the first time the five organizations have collaborated on a World Championship running event in the streets of Copenhagen. In 2014, they hosted the World Half Marathon Championships, which turned out to be a great success and served as the launchpad for the now-annual Copenhagen Half Marathon.

"The streets of Copenhagen have hosted some of the world’s most iconic races – running and cycling – and now they will once again set the stage for a historic sporting event. As the world’s best runners compete for championship titles, they will be joined by tens of thousands of recreational runners in a truly unique celebration of running. With our experience from the 2014 World Half Marathon Championships and Denmark’s strong tradition of hosting international events, we look forward to welcoming the world to an unforgettable race through the heart of Copenhagen,” says Lars Lundov, CEO, Sport Event Denmark.

Wonderful Copenhagen is equally excited about bringing the World Championships to the capital – especially with the prospect of welcoming up to 20,000 international runners who are expected to travel to Copenhagen to participate in the historic running event.

”We’re very excited about welcoming the World Athletics Road Running Championships to Copenhagen. Not only is the event expected to attract thousands of runners and top athletes from around the world, but it also reaffirms Copenhagen’s position as a leading event destination. We look forward to showcasing the city’s strong focus on sustainability and the inclusion of locals and visitors in its event efforts,” says Søren Tegen Pedersen, CEO at Wonderful Copenhagen.

A running festival for all of Denmark
 

The ambition behind a festive event with record numbers of participants and spectators in Copenhagen is also to extend the impact of the running movement to the entire country through Denmark’s athletics and running clubs.

“We are excited to welcome the world elite to the World Championships – but equally to highlight running and the communities we offer in our Danish member clubs. Trained coaches are ready to welcome runners into inspiring and motivating training environments for both amateur and elite runners across the country,” says Lars Werge, President of Danish Athletics.

Among the experienced organizers is Sparta Athletics & Running, which has been hosting the Copenhagen Marathon for over 40 years and has been behind the Copenhagen Half Marathon since 2014. The latter gathered nearly 30,000 runners in 2024 and sold out in only three hours.

“We are in a strong position to deliver a World Championship that not only meets the expectations of World Athletics and the passionate running community but also raises the bar for this type of event. We look forward to creating a championship that will be remembered as both the largest and best-organized ever while also being known for strong engagement around the event,” says Dorte Vibjerg, CEO of Sparta Athletics & Running.

Everyone can participate

Due to overwhelming demand in the recent year, participation in the half marathon distance will be sold via a lottery system which is open from 6-20 March 2025.

Interested runners can sign up during this period, after which a draw will determine who receives race bibs. 

Registration for the 5K and One Mile distances will open for general sale on 23 April 2025.

Facts about the WRRC26
 

•    The World Athletics Road Running Championships Copenhagen 26  will take place on 19-20 September 2026 in the streets of Copenhagen.
•    World champions will be crowned in the Half Marathon, 5K, and One Mile (1.609 km) distances.
•    The world’s elite runners will participate, but the distances are open to all runners.
•    The 5K and One Mile races will take place on Saturday, 19 September 2026.
•    The Half Marathon will be held on Sunday, 20 September2026.
•    The Half Marathon lottery will be open from 6-20 March 2025.
•    General registration for the 5K and One Mile races will open on 23 April 2025.
•    Capacity limits: 10,000 runners for One Mile, 20,000 for 5K, and 35,000 for Half Marathon.
•    The race routes will be published before the lottery opens.
•    The World Athletics Road Running Championships Copenhagen 26 is hosted for World Athletics by Danish Athletics and Sparta Athletics & Running, in collaboration with the City of Copenhagen, Sport Event Denmark, and Wonderful Copenhagen.