Organizers of the World Athletics Road Running Championships are urging motorists in Copenhagen to move their parked cars before Friday, when full parking bans take effect along the race routes.
Large parts of central Copenhagen face road closures and parking restrictions this weekend, as elite athletes and thousands of amateur runners take to the streets. DR reports that parking bans begin on Friday, and that cars left standing on the routes will be towed at the owner’s expense.
The event is organized by Sparta Atletik & Løb in cooperation with Dansk Atletik. According to Dorte Vibjerg, managing director of Sparta Atletik & Løb, a full parking ban applies to every street used for racing. She advises drivers parked in those streets to follow the posted signs and move their vehicles.
Vibjerg says the ban follows from the rules attached to hosting a world championship. As reported by Ekstra Bladet, the international athletics federation requires the route to be completely clear of parked cars. That is why the ban covers the entire course rather than selected sections.
Around 60,000 people are taking part in the championships. Organizers also expect between 100,000 and 150,000 spectators along the route, according to DR.
Closure times and routes
A traffic notice distributed through Ritzau states that the one mile and 5 km routes are closed to traffic on Saturday, September 19, from 07:00 to 19:30. The half marathon route is closed on Sunday, September 20, from 06:00 to 17:00. The same notice says parking bans along these routes run from Friday afternoon until Sunday.
Saturday’s program covers the one mile and 5 km races, while the half marathon is held on Sunday. Information about traffic and the individual routes is published by World Athletics on its Copenhagen 2026 traffic page.
Vibjerg encourages people to leave the car at home and use public transport, pointing to the metro as the best option during the weekend. She also encourages spectators to walk in the city and follow the races along the course.
Pedestrians and cyclists will not be shut out entirely. Vibjerg says traffic sluices are set up at selected points, allowing the public to cross the route on foot. The same crossings will also be open to people cycling in Copenhagen.
The championships are held in Copenhagen on September 19 and 20, 2026, with three distances on the program. A press release issued through Ritzau by Sparta Atletik & Løb confirms the one mile, 5 km and half marathon races.
