HCA Marathon in Odense 2025

Do you know why The Princess and the Pea complained about her mattress being too hard? 🤬 Legend has it that she ran 42 kilometers the day before at the HCA Marathon in Odense 💭. Could it be you this year? In September, head to Odense, the birthplace of writer Hans Christian Andersen ✍️, in Denmark 🇩🇰.

For a quarter of a century now, runners have been taking to the streets of this poetic and magical Danish city 🪄. You'll dive into the enchanting world of the storyteller who delighted generations with The Ugly Duckling 🦢, The Little Mermaid 🧜‍♀️, The Princess and the Pea 🫛, and The Little Match Girl 🔥. We can see you reliving your childhood just by reading these titles 😍. No worries about the distances, you have options. You can embody the courage of an ugly duckling turning into a swan with the marathon, or play the card of cunning and lightness like Thumbelina with the half-marathon 🤫. As for the 10 km, it's a short royal sprint, like a ball at the Emperor's, but without worrying about a flashy costume 🫣. For the younger ones, the apprentice heroes can try the MiniMarathon of 4.2 km 👶. The city route, completely closed to traffic 🚗, guides you through the vibrant heart of Odense: its colorful houses 🏘️, peaceful parks 🌳, and harbor...⚓️. We're betting that at some point, you'll lift your eyes and imagine seeing the silhouette of The Little Mermaid whispering to you: “Keep going, you're almost there…” (in reality, it will be a hallucination at km 38 😬).

But like any good fairy tale, the adventure doesn't stop at “they lived happily ever after and had many children cramps” 💥. Once you cross the finish line, medal around your neck 🏅, take the time to explore the local wonders. The Andersen Museum awaits to immerse you in its magical world ✨, just like the Saint-Knud's Cathedral and the charming Munke Mose Gardens ⛲️. And what about the feast? You can taste Danish delights: well-filled smørrebrød, cinnamon rolls, smoked fish 🐟...all accompanied by a well-deserved local beer🍻 (to be consumed in moderation, of course 😌).

So, are you ready to write your own fairy tale with your strides? 🤪 The H.C. Andersen Marathon is more than just a race: it's an adventure tracing the steps of one of the greatest authors in the world 🌍.