What is a half marathon?
A half marathon is, as the name suggests, half the distance of a marathon. The race covers a distance of 21,097 kilometers. There are a lot of half marathons that you can sign up for and they are typically held in the spring or autumn. The half marathon distance is also recognized by The International Association of Athletics Federations, and is included as a discipline for e.g. the European Championships & World Championships.
The world records for the half marathon are eerily fast. For men, it is Jacob Kiplimo from Uganda, who ran a time of 57:31 in 2021 in Lisbon. For women, it is 64:02, which was set by Ruth Chepng'etich from Kenya in 2021 in Istanbul.
Half marathon in Denmark
We have a lot of unique half marathons all over Denmark. Of course there are races in the largest Danish cities Copenhagen, Aarhus, Aalborg and Odense. The Copenhagen Half Marathon, which always takes place in September, is Denmark's largest half marathon and welcomes runners from all over the world. Copenhagen is part of SuperHalfs , which is an extraordinary challenge where you have 60 months to complete 6 different half marathons in Europe.
Half Marathon and Marathon Sport
Even though we are called Maraton Sport, we provide guidance and are experts in all running distances. Especially the half marathon, many of us employees in the stores love running! It is a really good distance where you can give it your all and at the same time experience what long-distance running is all about. We typically participate in most races, and hold events in connection with the big races in Copenhagen. Therefore, based on our experience, we have collected 6 good tips for you who are going to run a half marathon and divided them up before, during and after the race.
Before the race
1. Structured training
We recommend that you stick to some form of structure in your training leading up to the race. Whether you follow a training plan, join a running club, a running community or something else entirely, this will be a really good idea. Even though it is “only” half of a marathon, a half marathon is very long and stressful on the body. Many also incorporate a long run once a week to get your body used to the distance. If you have a specific time goal, it can also be a good idea to plan intervals or tempo runs into your training.
2. Diet
Training and diet go hand in hand. When you run long distances, you put a lot of pressure on your body. The body needs energy to keep going, and this is something that can be incredibly important to include in your training. A good piece of advice for running would be to eat more carbohydrates, and you can also supplement your long runs with energy gels .
It is also important to consider fluid balance in your diet, as you sweat a lot and can lose important electrolytes and salt from your body. Therefore, it can be a good idea to supplement your body with electrolytes both before, during and after your workout, depending on your needs.
3. Equipment
Having good running equipment can be crucial to whether you have a good experience at a half marathon. We recommend that you have a good pair of running shoes that you can both train in but are also comfortable to run the long distance in. If you want a faster time, you can consider investing in a pair of carbon shoes. In addition, it is important to think about the clothes you wear, so that they do not bother you and are at the same time breathable and sweat-wicking.
As experts in running equipment, we are always ready to advise you, and we offer free running tests from both of our stores.
During the race
4. Nothing new on race day
The day has come, the training is done, the body is ready and you must now conquer the many kilometers. Here it is important that you stick to what you know. Therefore, we do not recommend that you run in running shoes you have never run in before, eat something you are not used to, or change your daily habits. Stick to what has worked in your training, and then just go for it!
5. Enjoy it
Even though a half marathon is long, it is also a unique and cool way to challenge yourself. Enjoy the crowd and the atmosphere in the streets, it is not every day that a city closes down for you. You may hit the "wall" towards the end, and here it is extra important to soak up all the energy you can.
After the race
6. Celebration and relaxation
You've now completed your race, and it's time to celebrate and give your body a break. You deserve a break! Put your feet up, eat your favorite food, and enjoy the festivities with family and friends.
