H. C. Andersen Marathon

The H.C. Andersen Marathon takes place every year in Odense, Denmark's third-largest city with a population of over 180,000 people, situated on the Baltic Sea island of Fyn (English: Funen).

The event is held in honour of Odense's most famous son, the writer and poet Hans Christian Andersen, author of many well-known fairy tales such as ‘The Little Mermaid’ or ‘The Princess and the Pea’.

Four races are available—a 4.2km run for young athletes (17 years and under), a 10km race, a 21.1km half marathon and a 42.2km marathon.

The full marathon is two laps of an accurately-measured, traffic-free and mainly-flat course.

Starting at the Odense Idrætspark (Odense Sports Center) in the western part of the city, the circular route takes the runners through residential and green areas, through the historic city centre and around the port.

The finishing line is on the athletics track of the Odense Atletikstadion (near the start).

More than 4,600 runners took part in the event in 2023.