Local schoolchildren race to world championship spots, inspiring community and movement

Energy was high in Fælledparken as 188 pupils from Institut Sankt Joseph, Strandvejskolen, and Guldberg Skole took part in the “One Year to Go” relay on Friday morning. Each child ran 400 meters before passing the baton, and all participants were rewarded with a unique prize: a free entry to the World Championships One Mile (1,609m), taking place in Copenhagen on September 19, 2026.

With up to 65,000 participants expected, the event – officially titled the World Athletics Road Running Championships Copenhagen 26 – has the potential to become the largest mass-participation sports event ever held on Danish soil.

The City of Copenhagen is looking forward to hosting the event:

“As a modern capital city, Copenhagen should, of course, attract major sporting events that activate as well as inspire people. Therefore, I am very pleased that the children of the city will have the chance to become a part of the World Championships in running exactly one year from now. It is going to be huge when the world’s elite visit Copenhagen with up to 65.000 runners across different distances,” says the Lord Mayor Lars Weiss.

“Today, schoolchildren took the very first steps toward the Half Marathon World Championships, and with that, we can truly begin the countdown to the biggest running festival Copenhagen has ever seen. I hope the experience has sparked their enthusiasm, because in a year the city will be ready to welcome them back together with both world-class athletes and thousands of recreational runners, for a championship that will bring the whole city together”, says the Mayor of Culture and Leisure, Mia Nyegaard.

Building a legacy beyond race week
Today's relay for schoolchildren was also part of the activation initiative ‘Road to the World Championships’, which aims to create meaningful, long-term engagement for various target groups because of hosting the World Championships. The initiative is run by one of the organizations behind the World Championships, the Danish Athletics Federation, and they are excited to use the event to inspire and engage young people:

"The World Championships in Copenhagen are not just about attracting the world’s best runners – it’s just as much about how we can use the championships to inspire and engage the next generation. The ‘One Year to Go’ run is a great example of how we can open the doors to sports and give children a positive experience through running and the community around it. The goal is for the World Championships to leave a lasting impact that goes beyond the championship days themselves and strengthens running culture and clubs in Denmark far into the future," says Sofie Amdisen Andersen, project manager at Danish Athletics.

A global running festival awaits
Today’s school relay also marked the official one-year countdown to the World Championships, where the absolute best in the world will compete across three distances, setting the stage for a massive international running festival in the Danish capital.

“Since hosting the World Athletics World Half Marathon Championships in 2014, Denmark has established itself as an innovative and strong running nation. With one year to go until the 2026 World Championships in One Mile, 5 km, and Half Marathon, preparations are well underway. Together with Danish Athletics, Sparta and the City of Copenhagen / Wonderful Copenhagen, we look forward to welcoming the world to a true celebration of running in the heart of Copenhagen,” said Lars Lundov, CEO, Sport Event Denmark.

Wonderful Copenhagen also looks ahead to the wide-reaching impact of the championships:

“Copenhagen has earned a strong reputation as an international running destination, hosting major events that attract elite athletes and running enthusiasts from across the globe. With next year’s World Road Running Championships, we look forward to celebrating the sport on a scale never seen in the city,” says Søren Tegen Pedersen, CEO of Wonderful Copenhagen.

Celebration across three distances
The whole championship weekend will be a true running celebration. After the finish line, runners will gather with friends and family in the big and festive Runners Area in Fælledparken.

“We know from experience how important it is to have a central gathering space for these events. The Runners Area will be the beating heart of the World Championships, buzzing with activities, music, food and drink stalls, and an incredible atmosphere across both days,” said Head of Events at Sparta Athletics & Running, Lars Nissen.

Entries for the Half Marathon sold out earlier this year via lottery. However, registration is still open for the 5 km and One Mile races, both held on Saturday, September 19, 2026, on festive and intense courses through Østerbro.

More about the World Championships: https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-road-running-championships/copenhagen26

Facts: World Athletics Road Running Championships Copenhagen 26

• Dates: September 19–20, 2026
• Distances: Half Marathon, 5 km, One Mile (1,609m)
• Official name: World Athletics Road Running Championships Copenhagen 26
• Features both elite competition and open participation
• 5 km & One Mile races: Saturday, September 19, 2026
• Half Marathon: Sunday, September 20, 2026
• Half Marathon entries sold out earlier this year
• Registration is still open for the 5 km and the One Mile distances via the official website
• Follow on Facebook & Instagram: @wrrccopenhagen26
• Organized by Danish Athletics and Sparta Athletics & Running on behalf of World Athletics, in collaboration with the City of Copenhagen, Sport Event Denmark, and Wonderful Copenhagen