Next race
Sunday, 19 September 2027
10:00 am start
Distance
42.195 km / 26.2 mi
Urban road
Elevation
Flat · 50 m gain
50 m climbing
Race profile
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.
Approximately 2,800 finishers
Course & terrain
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 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.
Registration
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.
Getting there
Odense Hans Christian Andersen Airport (ODE)
10 km / 6 mi
Common questions
Official resources
Last updated 11 October 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
Close to this race
Other races closest to Odense.
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, 9 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, 5 September 2027
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: Saturday, 2 October 2027
The Rostock Marathon draws approximately 1,500 finishers each May through the Hanseatic port city on the Baltic Sea. The course passes the St. Mary's Church, the Warnemünde beach resort, and the harbour channel on flat northern German coastal terrain. May's Baltic spring and the seaside finish make it Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's premier marathon.
Next race: Sunday, 23 May 2027
Planning guides
Practical guides to help you plan, train for, and run this race.
When a flat course helps your time, when hills are worth the view, and how to pick terrain that fits your training and goals.
How temperature, humidity, wind, and rain affect marathon performance — and how to use typical race-day weather when choosing a start line.
Match a race to your goals — personal bests, sightseeing, atmosphere, or a major milestone — using course data and realistic expectations.
