CPH Half ends resale option for 2027 runners

Runners who cannot take part in the 2027 Copenhagen Half Marathon will no longer be able to resell their race numbers, DR reports. The change has drawn criticism from Denmark’s consumer council, Forbrugerrådet Tænk.

Organiser Sparta has removed the resale option. Runners who bought a race number for 795 kroner could instead pay an additional 120 kroner for insurance through Sparta, which provides a refund if they cannot participate.

Sparta chief executive Dorte Vibjerg said the organiser wanted to align the terms for half marathons and marathons with those used for international races. She said that, particularly for marathons, many race numbers are put up for resale in the weeks before the event and cannot all be sold.

Forbrugerrådet Tænk senior legal adviser Jakob Steenstrup said the decision was not illegal but urged Sparta to reconsider, saying it was difficult to see compelling reasons for preventing resale.

Runner Charlotte Skovgaard, who has taken part in the race several times, said she decided against buying a number for her daughter because resale was not allowed. She said it was difficult to predict what life would be like so far in advance.

Vibjerg acknowledged that the change had reduced consumers’ options, but said the terms had been clearly communicated before purchase. She said the conditions would not change for next year’s event, though Sparta would take the criticism into account in future reviews.

The Copenhagen Half Marathon is scheduled for September 19, 2027. A total of 45,000 race numbers have been sold.