On Thursday, Sparta Athletics & Working introduced that, for the primary time ever, entry to the Copenhagen Marathon 2027 might be decided by lottery. The race can accommodate 35,000 runners, however the race obtained 80,937 purposes, reflecting the rising international demand for marathon entries.
Organized by Sparta since its inaugural race in 1980, Copenhagen is one among Europe’s longest-running metropolis marathons. The occasion, recognized for its flat course by way of the centre of the Danish capital, has skilled a surge in reputation in recent times.
Massive progress for 2027
After the 2026 marathon offered out in below 24 hours, the organizers sought a registration course of they imagine is fairer and extra accessible to the various runners participating.
“The Copenhagen Marathon has turn into greater than only a race,” Dorte Vibjerg, the CEO of Sparta, stated in a press launch. “For many individuals, it’s a private aim and an expertise they dream of sharing with others. With the lottery, everybody had three weeks to enter, no matter the place on the planet they dwell.”
The applicant pool has grown not solely in measurement, but additionally in variety, with greater than 160 nationalities making use of in comparison with 122 for the 2026 race. Ladies, who made up 30 per cent of the sector in 2026, represented 37 per cent of lottery individuals, and the biggest age group making use of is 25 to 29, accounting for 23.5 per cent of candidates.
The race can also be increasing quickly; whereas 22,000 runners took half in 2026, the sector will enhance to 35,000 in 2027.
Races like Copenhagen are gaining reputation as entry to the world’s most sought-after marathons, just like the Abbott World Marathon Majors, turns into more and more troublesome. Opening the lottery for the primary time was a direct response to criticisms from Sparta as demand elevated. “From our perspective, that is due diligence,” Lars Nissen of Sparta advised The Day by day Northern. “A lot of these leaving offended feedback are annoyed as a result of it’s onerous to get a spot. We acknowledge that, and we’re making an attempt to deal with huge demand.”
Marathons are booming
Copenhagen is just not alone in its report demand, with purposes skyrocketing throughout the game, notably among the many eight Abbott World Marathon Majors (AWMM).
London had greater than 1.33 million individuals enter the general public poll for the 2027 race, setting a brand new report and surpassing final yr’s whole of simply over 1.13 million by 18 per cent. The New York Metropolis Marathon obtained 240,000 purposes from greater than 160 international locations in 2026, with just one per cent securing entry.
If you happen to utilized to run Copenhagen and didn’t luck out within the lottery, there are nonetheless charity spots obtainable.
