News29 Jan 2019


Danish Crown Prince to participate in Aarhus relay race

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His Royal Highness Danish Crown Prince Frederik (© Jan Kejser/Royal Run)

When the world’s best runners line up for the start of the IAAF/Mikkeller World Cross Country Championships Aarhus 2019 on Saturday 30 March, they will be joined by no less than His Royal Highness The Crown Prince of Denmark who will run alongside crowds of recreational runners.

For the first time ever, recreational runners will run on the World Cross Country Championships course on the same day that the event is held, over distances ranging from 2-12km as well as in a 4x2km relay. His Royal Highness Crown Prince Frederik will participate in the relay as a warm-up to the Royal Run, a giant nation-wide mass participation race which was initiated last year to celebrate the Crown Prince's 50th birthday. 

The Danish Athletic Federation welcomes the royal participation with great joy.

”Internationally, Danish running has high esteem. The Royal Run, World Half Marathon Championships 2014 and the many weekly runs have resonance over the running world," said Jakob Larsen, CEO of the Danish Athletics Federation.

"We are proud of that reputation, and we plan to create a genuine running festivity at the IAAF/Mikkeller World Cross Country Championships. The fact that the Crown Prince wants to be part of it is for us the utmost best start of a year of running, embracing the World Cross Country Championships, Royal Run 2019 and more than 1000 recreational runs all over Denmark."

The course provides participants with a once-in-a-lifetime experience, one which leads runners over the sloping roof of the Moesgaard Museum and through the area's spectacular natural surroundings.

The City of Aarhus and Sport Event Denmark are also looking forward to the participation of His Royal Highness.

"I am looking forward to welcoming His Royal Highness Crown Prince Frederik to the IAAF/Mikkeller World Cross Country Championships Aarhus 2019," said Rabih Azad-Ahmad, the Cultural Mayor of Aarhus.

"It is going to be a spectacular race which will lead the Crown Prince and the other competitors through the beautiful nature surrounding Moesgaard, and not least the stage over the roof top of the museum will challenge even the best runners. I hope that a large number of competitors and spectators will join along with His Royal Highness."

“We are very grateful and honored by the visits of His Royal Highness both to UCI Cyclo-Cross World Championships next weekend and now also to the IAAF/Mikkeller World Cross Country Championship in Aarhus in March," said Lars Lundov, CEO of Sport Event Denmark. "A royal visit is always an honour and a pleasure, and contributes with a valuable focus on Denmark as a host."

LOC for the IAAF

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