Are you faster than the pro’s?: You can run with the elite in the 5 km run at DM Week

When DM Week takes place in Aalborg at the end of June, it will feature a big running party on the schedule.

On June 26th, the Danish Championship in the 5 km run will be held, where both recreational runners and Denmark’s best long-distance runners will take over the city center — and everyone will have the chance to experience the atmosphere and route in the same spectacular setting.

This is according to Aalborg Municipality.

The entire DM Week runs from June 23rd to June 29th, but June 26th is the day you need to have your running shoes ready.

And Aalborg’s Mayor, Lasse Frimand Jensen, plans to join in.

“I had no doubt when I heard about the opportunity to run the route that the Danish championship runners will take before they are allowed to run it. I don’t want to miss that.

I hope many will join me and run the course,” says the mayor.

As in previous years, DR will broadcast live throughout DM Week, covering both the open 5 km run and the elite runners’ battle for medals.

5 km for everyone – DM for the elite

At 16:55, the start of the open 5 km run begins, with space for up to 800 participants.

This is open to fast runners, casual joggers, and anyone who can complete 5 km in under an hour.

The race takes place on the exact same route as the elite runners will run immediately afterward — giving participants the chance to test themselves on a genuine championship course in the heart of Aalborg.

After the recreational race, the elite takes the stage. At 18:10, the men’s elite field will start, followed by the women competing for their championship at 18:35.

Here, official Danish Championship medals will be contested in age categories from 16 years and up. Exciting competitions are expected, as Danish long-distance running is in a golden age, with eight Danish running records from the 80s and 90s having been broken in recent years.

The DM route in Aalborg consists of three laps of approximately 1.7 km each, passing through iconic parts of Aalborg’s city center: Nytorv and Østergade, the harbor area, past Musikkens Hus and Aalborg University — finishing at Strandvejen/Toldbod Plads right in the middle of the DM Week area.

It’s a fast route with lots of atmosphere, inviting cheering spectators along the entire course — so you definitely have to try it yourself, right?

You can sign up via the link here, where you’ll also find more information about the event.