Runcation or holding a holiday with focus on running is gaining more and more popularity. The Danish TV2 Nyhederne brought up an article a day ago (link is below) describing the phenomenon that has taken both Danes and the world in general.

It has become more normal to pack up your running gear when getting ready for a holiday. Below I will provide a few examples of wonderful locations for running / jogging in Copenhagen. I thought it is so approapriate now that we approach much needed nicer weather.

Feel free on top of Kastellet (The Citadel)

You are seriously invested in your running, however travelling to Copenhagen for a long weekend and staying in the city center. No problem, head to Kastellet, a star shaped 17th century fortress near the Danish Royal family home, Amalienborg Palace. Get up and jog on the ramparts, put some music in your ears and enjoy the views – you will feel as free as a bird!

Kastellet’s star shaped gravel ramparts are great for running

Jog in Copenhagen’s oldest park

Another very central Copenhagen location that is superb for a jog / run is Kongens Have (The King’s Garden), founded by King Christian IV in the beggining of the 1600s. You will also find the beautiful renaissance Rosenborg Castle here, which was build as a summer pleasure palace to the King. Again the gravel paths in the park are perfect for low impact running, same as at Kastellet. Plenty of beautiful sculptures, roses and many trees to look at too.

The King’s Garden in central Copenhagen – the green lungs of the city

Do a social run by joining a local Parkrun

You don’t feel like running on your own and back home you are normally doing the 5k Saturday morning local Parkrun. No problem! Just show up for one of Copenhagen’s Parkruns at 09:00 (make sure to arrive in good time to warm up and raise your hand when asked if any visitors joining), for example the Damhusengen one, located in the neighbourhood of Rødovre in Greater Copenhagen. It is easy to reach by public transport as it is not far from central Copenhagen. This is actually my local Parkrun 🙂

The starting point for the Damhusengen Parkrun by the ice cream shop

Join one of many running events in Copenhagen

You are really into your running and would like to travel to Copenhagen specifically for a running event. Wow, now we are talking! Running events are really popular here. Danes are very interested in healthy lifestyle and many love running. If you wish to participate in the popular Copenhagen Halfmarathon, CPH Half, make sure to register in good time as it is hard to get hold of tickets due to huge popularity. It is held annually in September which is a great month weatherwise for running in Copenhagen. The CPH Half however is having a break this year and back again in September ’27. However there are many other running events you can book (have a look at the link in Notes and Sources below). I will myself join the Løb & Støt Brysterne run (Breast Cancer Awareness run) on 6th September.

Me, back in 2016 at the Copenhagen Tower run in Frederiksberg

A 2-in-1 mild jog and classic sighseeing with me in central Copenhagen

Would you like to explore the main attractions in Copenhagen while doing your jog? Then join me for a slow jog starting at Kongens Nytorv and ending by the statue of the Little Mermaid. We are jogging on pavement (high impact) and it can be really busy with tourists so we have to be careful, with both pedestrians and cyclists. We will have stops to catch our breath and see the following attractions (H.C.Andersen’s address, one of three, on Nyhavn/ Amalienborg Palace/ The Marble Church (Frederik’s Church)/ Gefion fountain with Churchill Park, the English Church and Kastellet and the statue of the Little Mermaid). Contact me if intetested at info@yourtailoredtrip.dk 🙂

The Gefion fountain, one of the stops at the jog and sightseeing

Notes and Sources:

  1. The article by TV2 Nyhederne: Ny ferietrend løber med danskernes opmærksomhed – TV 2
  2. Do not worry about being in your running gear in central Copenhagen. Danes are very relaxed regarding their clothing and also very sporty and love cycling and running, amongst other sports.
  3. Always check the weather forecast before visiting as often April for example can be very tricky with one day being a warm and sunny spring day and the next reminding more of the bitter winter. Summer can also be tricky – it can be rather warm but also sometimes rainy and cool. You never know with the Danish summer.
  4. Link to the Damhusengen Parkrun page, where the running route can be seen too (press on rutesiden): hjem | Damhusengen parkrun | Damhusengen parkrun
  5. List of running events in Copenhagen: Running Races in Copenhagen: Find Your Next Race in the Race Calendar