At the HCA Marathon, even the youngest participants can write their own adventure on the MiniMarathon course, which spans 1/10 of a marathon (4.2 km) and finishes at the same spot as the "real" marathon. The course is guaranteed to be car-free.
Bring the kids along for a day focused on running. With MiniMarathon, there’s plenty of fun and exercise in store for the youngest, while parents either run themselves or cheer from the sidelines.
The races are divided into age groups, and in the 5 to 9-year-old group, one parent is allowed to run alongside each child if they don’t want to run alone. (The parent running with the child does not need to register.)
MiniMarathon is for children and young people under 18 years of age.
The capital of Fyn has been home to many fairy tales since the time of Hans Christian Andersen, and since the year 2000, countless running adventures have been written in the city during the HCA Marathon. If you want to write your own running adventure, HCA Marathon is the perfect place, offering a fast and traffic-free route through the streets of Odense
Many runners have set personal bests on this course, and in 2019, HCA Marathon was named the world's fastest marathon (measured by average finish time). So if you're aiming for a record, HCA Marathon is the right place to look - because this course is simply fast. You can read more about the study at Runners World.
Link to Runners World
Register here. Here.
Price £150 + fee
Additional Purchase
Should parents run too?
The races are divided into age groups, and in the 5 to 9-year-old group, one parent is allowed to run alongside each child if they don’t want to run alone. (The parent running with the child does not need to register.)
Cancellation Insurance
It is possible to purchase a cancellation insurance which allows for a refund of the race fee in case of acute illness, injury, etc. Please note that transferring your race entry to the following year is no longer an option.
Click here for the participant list.
For group registrations of at least 10 participants, please write to: info@hcamarathon.dk
Bib numbers must be collected at the Sports Expo in Odense on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. The address and collection times will be announced later.
Your race bib contains the timing chip – avoid bending the bib to prevent damage to the chip.
Picking up race bibs for someone else:
You are allowed to collect race bibs on behalf of others. You must bring the participant’s full name and race bib number.
IMPORTANT You must not alter your race bib, as this is grounds for disqualification according to DAF regulations. Likewise, stay on the marked course, as timing mats are placed along the route to record split times. Missing split times will result in disqualification.
Race numbers must be collected at the sports fair in Odense on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. If you have purchased a t-shirt, it will be handed out along with your race number. You will find the sports fair at Odense Idrætspark, Israels Plads 3, 5200 Odense V. The fair is open
Friday 14:00 – 18:00
Saturday 10:00 – 16:30
Sunday 08:00 – 16:00
We encourage everyone who has the opportunity to collect their race number before race day.
Your race bib contains the timing chip – avoid bending the bib to prevent damage to the chip.
Picking up race bibs for someone else:
You are allowed to collect race bibs on behalf of others. You must bring the participant’s full name and race bib number.
IMPORTANT You must not alter your race bib, as this is grounds for disqualification according to DAF regulations. Likewise, stay on the marked course, as timing mats are placed along the route to record split times. Missing split times will result in disqualification.
If you need to make changes to your registration, such as updating your name, switching distances, or transferring your entry to another runner, please ensure these updates are made in advance to keep the results list accurate for all participants.
You can make the changes yourself online at sportstiming and also make add-ons to your registration; see more under FAQ.
The sports exhibition is free and is open throughout the race weekend. You will find the sports exhibition at Odense Idrætspark, Israels Plads 3, 5200 Odense V. The exhibition is open:
Friday 14:00 – 18:00
Saturday 10:00 – 16:30
Sunday 08:00 – 16:00
At the sports fair, you will find great offers on sportswear and equipment. You can also listen to exciting talks and join yoga with Planet Nusa.
When collecting your race number for the MiniMarathon, you will be given a race bag, which you must use for storing your luggage. The luggage storage is staffed and is open on race day from 08:00 to 16:30.
REMEMBER to attach the bib number slip to your race bag.
The tram runs all day between Odense Central Station and Odense Idrætspark (stadium) with a travel time of around 9 minutes.
Buy your ticket by scanning the QR code at any tram station. It’s easy and affordable – tickets cost DKK 15 if you’re 26 or older, or DKK 10 if you’re under 26.
If you’re driving to Odense, parking at the tram’s Park & Ride is a convenient option. There are 800 free spaces close to the motorway, so you won’t have to search for parking near Odense Sports Park. Travel time from Park & Ride to the Sports Park is about 34 minutes
Read more here: By light rail to the HCA Marathon 2026
Drivers are encouraged to arrive early on race day and use the parking spaces along the surrounding streets.
Remember to check the signage, as some areas have time-limited parking or require payment.
In and around Odense Sports Park you will find number collection, the MiniMarathon tent with the finish area depot, the sports fair and everything else you will need.
Use the map below to help you find your way around.
Make your race weekend even better with complete and comfortable accommodation in Odense.
Stay at Scandic Odense at a favourable price in connection with the HCA Marathon.
Single room (standard)
DKK 1.015,- per room per night
Triple room
DKK 1365,- per room per night
All prices include breakfast.
👉 Book your accommodation here and use the booking code below:
BOOK250926
Odense has a lot to offer - Explor them here:
On Fyn Nothing is far away from Odense - see what you can experience on oure green island here:
The start for the MiniMarathon is from Stadionvej (same place as for the marathon runners).
The route is a 1/10 marathon (4.2 km) on a traffic-free circular route in Odense.
With approximately 10,000 participants having to cross the same finish line, it is essential to show consideration for one another so that everyone has a positive experience from taking part – we participate for the sake of the sport.
Dear parent running alongside your child: Remember, you are NOT acting as a pacer for your child but providing reassurance. Let the child set their own pace.
All MiniMarathon participants MUST keep to the left (outer lanes) on the final stretch.
Groups are divided by birth year, not by the child's birthday.
HOW YOUR TIME IS RECORDED
Chip Timing: Your finish time is automatically recorded using a timing chip located on the back of your race bib.
Gross Time The time recorded from the official start signal until you cross the finish line.
Net Time The time recorded from the moment you cross the start line until you cross the finish line. Your race bib must be worn visibly on the front of your T-shirt and must not be folded or bent.
Headphones are not allowed during the race for safety reasons. Since the course is a loop, it is important that all runners can hear instructions from officials, cyclists, and other runners who need to pass. Instead, take in the green surroundings and the buzz of the city.
Dogs are not allowed in the race.
Please be patient
If you have an errand in Odense on Sunday, September 27, 2026, it would be a good idea to allow extra time for transportation, as the HCA Marathon will be taking place that day. This means it may be a bit more difficult to get around the city, so we kindly ask for your patience and consideration in traffic.
70 Home Guard Police Officers
Along the route, 70 Home Guard police officers and a number of trained traffic marshals will be posted to manage traffic. Additionally, the police will have patrol cars and motorcycles on site in case any issues arise. More than 200 volunteer marshals will also be positioned along the route.
From 5:30 AM
Barricading will begin at 5:30 AM from five different points along the route, which will then remain closed and ready by 8:30 AM. Please show consideration and allow the barricade crews the space and safety to do their work – drive carefully!
The start is at Odense Idrætspark at 10:00 AM, where both the Marathon and Half Marathon will begin. At the same time, the “Run the Last 10” event will start from Flakhaven – Odense City Hall.
As the last runners pass each point along the route, barricades will be removed and traffic will return to normal from around 4:00 PM.
We kindly ask drivers to show consideration and respect for the work carried out by the many volunteers on the roads in Odense during HCA Marathon, as well as for the participants’ efforts over the many kilometers.
How to get around
The main access roads to Odense can generally be used, although there may be some temporary regulations and one-way systems. These will gradually return to normal as the last participants pass.
Main road affected by the race
ODENSE V
ODENSE C
ODENSE C
ODENSE M
THE SKIBHUS NEIGHBOURHOOD
KOCHSGADE NEIGHBOURHOOD
Do you need help navigating the roads on raceday, please call the traffic-phone at 93 94 57 89.
The phone lines are open on 23 and 24 September from 16.00 to 20.00, as well as all day on 26 and 27 September.
You will run the final 300 meters on Odense Athletics Stadium. The innermost lane is designated for the marathon, while the outermost lane is for the half marathon, “Run the Last 10,” and MiniMarathon.
At the finishing line, you will receive your medal. Please leave the area in the direction of the fluid replacement station.
Medal engraving
If you have purchased engraving for your medal as part of your participation in the HCA Marathon, you will have your medal engraved on race day in Hall 2 of Odense Idrætspark.
Please bring your race bib and medal, and have your finish time ready (on your phone) – your race bib serves as a receipt for the engraving.
To ensure everyone can get their medal engraved and take it home, please go to Hall 2 no later than 15:30 with the medal.
If you have not ordered engraving in advance, it can be purchased on the day, subject to available capacity.
ATTENTION!
If you have not completed your registered distance, you will not receive a medal and your time will be recorded as DNF (did not finish).
After finishing, participants will be directed to the “MiniMarathon” tent, which serves as the finish area. The tent is located near the seating grandstand.
In the finish area, refreshments will include spring water, fruit, muesli bars, and dessert from Danone.
Parents do NOT have access to the finish area but can meet their children after they exit the tent.
Can be found at Odense Idrætspark
Various food and drink stalls will be found on race day by the main entrance to Odense Idrætspark and inside the Athletics Stadium.
Photos from the HCA Marathon are being uploaded continuously to photo gallery.
Link to 2026 results list.
Download your finisher certificate by clicking on your name on the list of results.
Your personal time will be recorded only when you cross the timing mats.
Winners are determined by gross times (from the start gun to crossing the finish line). The top 3 finishers will always be the first three runners to cross the finish line.
(Net time: From crossing the start mat to crossing the finish line)
Link to Race records - Minimarathon.
See also our other races
