The Dubrovnik half marathon has proved an extremely popular event ever since it was introduced a few years ago, growing every year and attracting more and more international runners. This year was planned to be one of the biggest events so far, with interest for all the races inside the DU Motion organisation. But, unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic the whole half marathon had to be postponed until the 26th and 27th of September, from its original date of the 25th and 26th of April.
However, the postponement didn’t stop the race being marked on its original date. Not in Dubrovnik on the Stradun as was planned, not even in Croatia, but in Denmark! Or more precisely in Copenhagen. And the organisers contacted us with their inspiring story.
“We are a group of runners from Copenhagen who were supposed to run in Dubrovnik. For obvious reasons the half marathon was cancelled. We decided to arrange a ‘Dubrovnik’ Half-marathon in Copenhagen for the runners who were meant to go,” said Peter Bjørn Larsen to The Dubrovnik Times.
Adding that “We are from a running club called Ørestad Runners, which is a social wine running club. Many of us will be back for the postponed race in September.”
And the runners even had special numbers made up for their Dubrovnik/Copenhagen race that read “Ørestad Runners Dubrovnik Half marathon.” In fact, Peter is clearly a fan of Dubrovnik as he has been to the city twenty-five times and has already competed in two Dubrovnik Half Marathons with his family and friends.
“There was real disappointment when it was clear that Covid-19 resulted in the postponement of the Dubrovnik Half Marathon. The founders of the running club decided to arrange a Dubrovnik Half Marathon in a nature reserve in Copenhagen. A total of 12 runners met and ran a time-trial style run all completing the race,” added Peter Bjørn Larsen.
“Several of the runners will be back for the postponed race in September and some for next year’s race and some are even hoping for a visit this summer as well,” concluded Larsen.
