The World Half Marathon route was measured for the first time. This first measurement was made on the bike of the technical director of the WHM2014, Lars Nissen, and the Danish Athletic Federation measurer, Peer Jensen and Ole Sprøgel. Measuring the WHM-course through the streets of Copenhagen and Frederiksberg. The measurement starts at the large square in front of Christiansborg Castle which is also the start and finish of the WHM2014.
Fast, flat and Scenic
The course is flat and completely free of traffic. Located in the centre of Copenhagen, the surface is asphalt and the width varies from 3 to 20 meters. The course leads the runners through the inner Copenhagen with a digression to uptown Frederiksberg.
Starting in front of the Danish Parliament at Christiansborg Castle, the runners will pass famous sites, scenic areas, canals and parks.
Going uptown to Frederiksberg, the athletes enter the steepest part of the course with a top altitude of 14 meters. Indeed a flat course. As they pass the Frederiksberg Town Hall they turn left onto the beautiful Frederiksberg Avenue lined with flags alongside the entire 900 meters avenue leading the athletes back to the heart of Copenhagen. Soon after, the runners enter the final 2 kilometres where they will first pass the Tivoli Gardens and Copenhagen Town Square before passing the Danish National Museum only to enter the finishing area right in front of Christiansborg Castle.
“The course is good; flat and fast and passes a lot of the attractions of the city. It is an iconic course. There is no doubt in my mind that the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships is going to be a success. The combination of this magnificent European capital and the good work by the Danish organisers will turn the event into a great success,” says David Bedford, IAAF technical representative on his first site visit to Denmark.
The route is subject to change.