Sparta Running Club is a running club in Copenhagen, Denmark, with its base at Øster Allé 56, on the sixth floor of Parken. It is a place where visitors who run can take part in the city's running life alongside local members, and where those who simply want to see how Copenhageners train can get a sense of it.
The club organises structured training across many pace levels, and sessions run on every day of the week. Each running group trains two or three fixed days a week, and members are free to choose which group to run with each time. Groups are sorted by pace, from under 4 minutes per kilometre to over 6 minutes per kilometre, and there is also alternative training for those who want something different.
Options for different goals
- Kickstart: a 15-week programme for beginners who want to learn to run 5 km.
- Trail and Ultra runs: offered on Saturdays for those who prefer longer or off-road routes.
- Joint training: a shared session on Sundays.
Groups meet at the sports house, Idrætshuset, where members have lockers available. The club's website lists the training groups in full, so visitors can see which sessions fit their pace and schedule before they arrive.
Planning a visit
The club's office is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for in-person visits and phone enquiries, while training sessions run at their own times through the week. Because those times differ, it is worth checking the training overview on the club's website, or calling the office on +45 35 26 69 00, before you set out.
For a visitor, joining a running group is a relaxed way to see Copenhagen on foot, in the company of people who know the routes well. The club describes itself as a social community, and its mix of paces means that newcomers can find a group that suits them.