Welcome to RUN LIKE A LOCAL—a series powered by Zalando which brings you the insiders’ take on running in three European metropolises. As we gear up for autumnal marathons and half-marathons in Copenhagen, Berlin, and Rome, we’ll get the best routes, coffee stops, and city hacks from five runners in our network.
This is the first installment, with Jun Andersen in Copenhagen. You can check out Jun’s favorite routes illustrated below, and you’ll find a full list of his recommended spots on Google Maps here. Enjoy.
"Copenhagen is built for movement," says art director, creative, and all-round hyperachiever Jun Andersen, co-owner of 9TSEVEN. "It feels very effortless to move through the city. You can start between buildings and busy streets, run along the lakes, through a park, beside the harbor, and suddenly you end up somewhere that feels almost completely removed from the city."
For many, running is about that feeling of getting lost—in the rhythm, in the adrenaline, often in the discomfort. It's where you lose the noise of everything else and find a bit of clarity within. And where better to chase that feeling than in the crisp, autumnal air of Denmark?
But when you're running a new city, there's always the question of where to go. In the lead-up to Copenhagen's half-marathon, we're doing away with gatekeeping—pulling back the curtain on the routes, spots, and rituals usually reserved for locals. Jun's handing over the map, from tempo-run coffee stops to the trails only the initiated know about, so you can run the city like you've lived here all along.
And come the half-marathon, Zalando will be there every step of the way. From Wednesday, September 16 to Friday, September 18, they will host the Zalando Running Hub, a three-day program in Fælledparken, where social runs, yoga sessions, and more will be available to any running enthusiasts who would like to join the festivities. On race day, Sunday, September 20, they will host cheer zones along the route (at BLOX and Nørrebros Runddel) where supporters can gather while encouraging the runners with music and other activities.
Tell us about the running scene in CPH right now — any crews, clubs, or communities worth knowing?
There’s been a very explosive movement in the city for the past years, which is great. So many new runners, crews and communities are coming to the scene with new perspectives and new ways of bringing people together through movement. I love it because we inspire and motivate each other. What I like is that everyone has their own identity and reason for bringing people together. It doesn’t feel like we’re all trying to build the same community. What excites me right now is of course our brand and community 9TSEVEN, but our friends at TTTT, SunBeam, Edel CPH and Outdoor Office also come to mind. They all have their own identity, energy and mission.
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A word on your routes: do they change with the seasons, or are they good to run year-round?
I would say the 10K route out at Kalvebod Fælled changes the most. During the colder months it gets dark and can get very windy, so if you decide to go out there, make sure you’re equipped for it. The other routes are good to go year-round. The weather changes, but that’s nothing new for any runner in Copenhagen. Rain, wind, cold or sun, we do it in any weather.
Are there any tracks or music you think suit each route?
Bon Iver is one of my favorite artists. He would go for all routes and environments in my opinion, but if you want to do tempo sessions, go with some electronic music that follows your tempo. For me, that’s DJ Heartstring.
What’s your current running fit, and footwear of choice?
4-inch shorts, cropped cotton tee, white socks and shoes, cap, sunglasses. That’s me.
How would you describe the running style in CPH?
I’d describe Copenhagen’s running style as functional, but very considered. People care about performance, but they also care about how they look. There’s a strong mix between technical running gear and fashion. You’ll see proper performance shoes, tights and technical layers mixed with vintage pieces, cropped and custom silhouettes, and more lifestyle-driven items. It doesn’t always look like a traditional “running uniform.” The footwear is probably where performance matters most. People are knowledgeable about shoes and increasingly have different pairs for easy runs, tempo sessions and race day. But aesthetics still play a role; people want a shoe that performs but also feels like something they would actually want to wear.
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What words of advice would you give any runner new to CPH?
Just get out there and explore. Copenhagen is small enough that you can discover most of the city through running, and some of my favourite places here I’ve found simply by taking a different turn. If you want to connect with people, join an athletics club, run crew or community. There are so many in Copenhagen, and they all have different energies and people. Try a few and find the one you connect with the most.
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