Copenhagen is a running city. Copenhagen is fast, flat and scenic. This week the International Athletic Federation awards the 2014 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships. Copenhagen is a strong candidate.

Following the global triumph of cycling’s World Road Race Championships in September, Copenhagen is aiming to make the same success of the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in 2014.

A delegation of representatives from Copenhagen, the Danish Athletic Federation and Sport Event Denmark will on Friday present the Danish bid outlining scenery of a fast, flat and scenic course in the very heart of Copenhagen.

Picture that with the 250,000 spectators who lined the route on the final day of the cycling, and there are all the ingredients for a race that would elevate the half marathon to a new level.

“Our philosophy is that a great event is one where participants, viewers and stakeholders have equal satisfaction. The case of Copenhagen is very strong. In a world of global media, each
Championship represents a chance to leave an international legacy and our aim is to give as much to the Half Marathon Championships in 2014 as they will undoubtedly give to us,” says Lars Lundov, CEO, Sport Event Denmark.

There is a vibrant running scene in the city with many clubs and a strong tradition of running events, including the annual marathon.

Wilson Kipketer, former World Record Holder 800m and IAAF Ambassador will also be at the Danish presentation. Kipketer has lived in Denmark for the last 20 years, and says: “I can really say that Copenhagen is a running city where people of all ages run in the streets. Denmark will welcome the Half Marathon World Championships as they did with the Road World Championships in cycling.”

“The heart of Copenhagen beats for great sports events and we can assure a perfect setting for athletes, spectators and media. Copenhagen is the right place and offers the right programmes for the right event – the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in 2014,” says Pia Allerslev, mayor of culture and sport, Copenhagen.

The Danish delegation presents the Danish bid on the 11th November. Denmark is up against a strong opponent Cheboksary, Russia – with a long and strong athletic tradition.

The Danish delegation consists of:
Lars Vermund, Danish Athletic Federation
Wilson Kipketer, Danish Athletic Federation
Torben Dan Petersen, Danish Athletic Federation
Pia Allerslev, Mayor of Culture and Sport in Copenhagen
Lars Vallentin Christensen, Wonderful Copenhagen
Lars Lundov, Sport Event Denmark
Judy Jacobsen, Sport Event Denmark

IAAF will award the 2014 World Half Marathon Championships in Monaco on 11th November.

See edited interview with Wilson Kipketer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xj5qGitbWNk

Contacts:
Lars Vermund, President, Danish Athletic Federation. Mobile: +45 40 45 45 40
Lars Lundov, CEO, Sport Event Denmark. Mobile: +45 40 31 48 55
Lars Vallentin Christensen, business development manager, Wonderful Copenhagen. Mobile: +45 23 38 30 63