On May 11th, our clinic’s running club participated in the Denmark Marathon.

Arrival

Our center, always active in sports events, decided to take part in the Copenhagen Marathon. This marathon is considered one of the best, fastest, and most well-organized in Europe. This is evident from the fact that it sold out within just one month of registrations opening. A total of 24,000 runners from all over the world participated, and more than 85% finished the race.

The course runs entirely through the beautiful capital city of Copenhagen. Running among one of the most athletic communities in Europe—where sports culture is deeply embedded in their DNA—we passed landmarks such as the Little Mermaid, Tivoli Gardens, royal palaces, and many more.

Our team arrived in Copenhagen on Thursday. We usually travel a few days earlier to adapt and get into the race vibe. Indeed, Copenhagen was already dressed in marathon colors: decorated streets, posters everywhere, runners doing their final runs around the Norrebro lakes, and cafés offering healthy brunch options.

Shake Out Run

On Friday afternoon, we went to collect our race bibs at the marathon expo. There, we experienced something truly impressive. The organization was outstanding—from the distribution of high-quality Nike shirts to race numbers printed on biodegradable paper and delivered in environmentally friendly bags.

Scandinavians are always strict about such matters; they have the awareness and culture to truly respect their country. We took many photos at the venue and then joined the official shake-out run. This introductory run was about 5 kilometers long.

We started with a warm-up, where each of us paired up with someone to get to know them better. Then we began running at a very easy pace. The organizers stopped every kilometer to explain the race route.

Saturday

Saturday is traditionally one of the most enjoyable days of the trip. It includes each runner’s “official” shake-out run. Words truly fall short in describing what was happening on the streets of Denmark, especially around the Norrebro lakes.

We woke up around 8 a.m. After our usual espresso, we put on our running shoes and headed toward the lakes. The weather was more than ideal—sunny with temperatures around 15°C.

Arriving there, we witnessed something unique. All the running clubs in the city were starting their runs. Colors, smiles, greetings, shoes—so many shoes—and an incredible energy. These are things and emotions that only running can offer, and only a runner can truly experience.

It lasted only half an hour, but that half hour gives you memories for years. We didn’t say much—we simply observed and felt. After the run, we went to a sports café for another espresso and talked with other runners to ease the pre-race anxiety. Then back to the hotel, a short walk, and an early pasta meal—as always.

Marathon Day

Sunday, on the other hand, is both amazing and stressful. Of course, we didn’t sleep as much as we would have liked, and we felt tired and slightly uncertain. The mind plays strange games during those hours.

We took the metro. Thousands of runners, with their backpacks and anticipation written on their faces. We arrived at the starting area, got changed, dropped off our belongings, and began a short warm-up. At that point, we were both literally and figuratively on our own—each with our thoughts and race plan. The weather was once again ideal: 12°C and cloudy.

Our Runners

In total, we were a group of 10 people. Five of us ran the marathon, and all achieved their goals, with many personal bests.

Evangelia Ardaggelou finished in 3:37, improving her personal best by nearly 20 minutes. Giorgos Vasilarakis, 64 years old, finished in 4:37, also improving his time by almost 20 minutes. This result placed him in the top 10 Karpathian marathon runners and 215th in his age category in the race.

Next, Konstantinos Leou finished in 3:37, 9 minutes faster than his previous marathon. Manolis Nissyrios completed his first marathon in 3:50. Finally, Vasilis Vasilarakis completed the marathon in 2:53.

After the Race

Later that same afternoon, we decided to enjoy Copenhagen a bit more. We rented bikes and explored the entire city. A unique experience, as Copenhagen is perfect for such activities.

What’s Next

The Copenhagen Marathon was a unique experience for all of us. We improved both as runners and as individuals. We grew closer as a team.

Time, although always a reflection of training consistency, is not the most important thing. What is certain is that in 2026 we will all be back—with an even bigger team.