More than 32,000 runners are set to take over the streets of Copenhagen for the 10th edition of the Copenhagen Half Marathon on September 14, featuring a world-class elite field, record-breaking ambitions, and a debut from one of Denmark’s top prospects.
A Historic Running Festival in the Danish Capital
The 2025 Copenhagen Half Marathon is shaping up to be one of the most competitive and festive in the event’s decade-long history. With all 32,000 race slots sold out, the streets of Copenhagen will be transformed into a massive celebration of distance running on Sunday, September 14, starting at 9:30 a.m. The start and finish lines are set on the city’s Østerbro district, beginning at Jagtvej and culminating on Øster Allé near Fælledparken, creating a central stage for both spectators and elite athletes alike. Copenhagen Half Marathon will be full of energy, with runners creating a special atmosphere.
This year marks the tenth anniversary of the event, and record-breaking performances are expected as some of the world’s fastest half marathoners look to claim spots on the podium. Organizers Sparta Atletik & Løb, Denmark’s leading athletics club, anticipate a thrilling race with both international stars and local talents stepping into the spotlight. It will be a chance to enjoy both strong performances and the event’s 10-year milestone.
Elite Men’s Field Packed With Talent
The men’s race promises a fierce competition with four of the world’s seven fastest half marathon runners this season confirmed to compete. Among them is Kenya’s Isaia Kipkoech Lasoi, who narrowly missed a win last year by just five seconds. At only 25 years old, Lasoi will need to fend off other top contenders, including fellow Kenyan runner Gilbert Kiprotich, the winner of this year’s Malaga Half Marathon with a personal best of 58:27 minutes.
Ethiopia is also eyeing the top prize, with Gemechu Dida leading their charge. Dida impressed earlier in the year with a commanding win at the Berlin Half Marathon. Europe’s top hope is British runner Patrick Dever, who has twice come within seconds of breaking the one-hour barrier this season. If successful in Copenhagen, Dever would join Olympic champion Mo Farah as the only Brit to dip under the hour in the half marathon.
Rising Danish Star Set for His Debut
The spotlight in the Danish running scene is on 21-year-old Joel Ibler Lillesø, who is making his debut on the half marathon distance. The young star from Bagsværd is coming off a stellar season, having won gold in the 10,000 meters at the European U23 Championships and breaking the Danish national record in the 5,000 meters in August. Lillesø’s performance in Copenhagen is seen as the capstone of a breakthrough season, with expectations high despite his inexperience at this length.
Veteran marathoner and Olympian Thijs Nijhuis will also appear, bringing valuable experience to the domestic field. Despite the event not serving as the official Danish Half Marathon Championships this year, several of the country’s elite will be competing, giving local spectators plenty to cheer for.
High-Caliber Women’s Field and Danish Rivalry
Kenya’s Sharon Lokedi and Joyciline Jepkosgei head the women’s elite race and are expected to dominate the top rankings. Lokedi brings an impressive résumé, including victories at both the New York Marathon in 2022 and the 2025 Boston Marathon. Jepkosgei, meanwhile, is coming off a standout season that includes a second-place finish at the London Marathon and a stunning 1:04:17 win in Barcelona — making her the seventh-fastest woman in history over the distance.
On the Danish side, a competitive duel is expected between Alberte Kjær Pedersen and Nanna Bové. Pedersen, fresh from competing in the triathlon at the Paris 2024 Olympics, is now focused exclusively on running. Bové, a former Danish champion at CPH Half, is returning to form after injury setbacks and hopes to make a comeback in front of a home crowd.
Looking Ahead to 2026 World Championship
The 2026 edition of the Copenhagen Half Marathon will serve as the World Athletics Road Running Championships, with the half marathon already sold out for amateur runners. The Danish capital will once again welcome the sport’s elite alongside thousands of recreational runners for a global showcase of road racing.
For now, all eyes are on September 14 as Copenhagen hosts a racing spectacle where records may fall, new stars can rise, and Denmark celebrates its growing prominence in the world of distance running. With more than 32,000 participants and a deep elite field, the 2025 CPH Half is poised to be an unforgettable chapter in the city’s running legacy.
