Odense, Region of Southern Denmark, Denmark
The H.C. Andersen Marathon in Odense draws about 2,800 finishers each September through the fairy-tale author's hometown on Funen. The course passes the H.C. Andersen Museum, the Odense River, and the historic old town on flat Danish terrain. September autumn weather and literary heritage make it Denmark's signature marathon.
H.C. Andersen Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
The next H.C. Andersen Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, 20 September 2026 with a 9:00 am start. The certified course covers 42.195 km (26.2 miles) with 50 m of climbing on a very flat layout.
The H C Andersen Marathon is a loop that starts and finishes at Odense Stadium and passes the Hans Christian Andersen Museum, the old town, and the Odense River parklands on Funen. The course is very flat through the Funen lowlands, and spectators gather at the stadium and along the river paths through the city centre.
The H.C. Andersen Marathon course is very flat over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 50 metres of climbing and 50 metres of descent, with minimal net elevation change from start to finish.
The H.C. Andersen Marathon uses open registration at hca-marathon.dk with no ballot or qualifying standard. Sign-up for the September race in Odense typically opens early in the year. The flat Danish course honours the fairy-tale author and draws Scandinavian club runners through the same online portal.
Last updated 18 July 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
Other races closest to Odense.
The Kiel Marathon draws approximately 1,200 finishers each September through Germany's sailing city on the Baltic Sea. The course passes the Kiel Fjord (Kieler Förde), the Kiellinie sailing promenade, and the naval harbour on flat Schleswig-Holstein coastal terrain. September's Baltic late summer and the windjammer atmosphere make it northern Germany's premier seaside marathon.
Next race: Sunday, 27 September 2026
The Copenhagen Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 12k finishers on an urban road in Copenhagen, Denmark. The course starts and finishes at Islands Brygge. The route passes the Little Mermaid, Nyhavn, Amalienborg Palace, and Frederiksberg. Very flat with only minor bridge gradients over canals.
Next race: Sunday, 16 May 2027
The Helsingborg Marathon draws about 2,200 finishers each September along Sweden's Öresund coast opposite Denmark. The course passes Kärnan tower, the harbour, and the coastal roads with views across to Helsingør. September Baltic weather and rolling seaside terrain define this southern Swedish marathon.
Next race: Sunday, 6 September 2026
The Malmö Marathon attracts approximately 1,500 finishers each October through Sweden's third-largest city linked to Copenhagen by the Öresund Bridge. The course passes the Turning Torso skyscraper, Ribersborg beach, and the Malmöhus Castle on flat Skåne terrain. October's mild southern Swedish autumn and the Öresund views make it Scandinavia's most international city marathon.
Next race: Sunday, 25 October 2026
The Spreewald Marathon draws approximately 1,200 finishers each April on a canal-region road in Burg, Germany. The Spreewald setting gives the race a strong regional identity built around waterways and villages. The course passes canals, meadows, and low-lying roads through one of Germany's most distinctive wetland landscapes. The course is very flat throughout.
Next race: Sunday, 4 April 2027
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