H.C. Andersen Marathon

Location: Odense
Country: Denmark
Website: https://hcamarathon.dk/en/
2025 Marathon Date: 28/09/25
2026 Marathon Date: 27/09/26
Winning Time 2025: 02:21:35
% Sub-3s: 5–10%
# Sub-3s: 100–499
Total Runners: 1k–3k

The H.C. Andersen Marathon, staged in Odense, is one of Denmark’s best-known races and honours the city’s most famous literary figure. It is a well-established event with a reputation for organisation and a course that balances accessibility with a fair test of endurance.

The marathon route is based around Odense, combining central streets with loops through surrounding districts. The course is measured and largely flat, though not a pure time-trial: a mix of turns, changes of scenery and quieter sections means runners must stay disciplined throughout. For sub-3 athletes, it is an event where consistent pacing and economy of effort are more important than chasing marginal seconds in the early kilometres.

Crowd support is strongest in the city centre and around the start/finish, while the atmosphere thins in suburban stretches. Aid stations are professionally managed and positioned to support a steady hydration and fuelling strategy. Organisation has long been praised for its reliability, making Odense a practical choice for those who want a well-run European marathon without the scale of the biggest international races.

For sub-3 runners, the H.C. Andersen Marathon offers a dependable platform to deliver a controlled performance. It may not carry the prestige of Europe’s fastest courses, but its combination of flat terrain, strong organisation and measured atmosphere make it a valuable option for those seeking a fair and well-balanced race.