3 Legged Charity Race - St. Patrick’s Day in Copenhagen
Started in Copenhagen in 2001, the 3 Legged Charity Race is a unique tradition that raises money for children’s charities and kickstarts the city’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. It’s put Copenhagen on the list of best places in the world to celebrate the day.
Shamrock Love’s 3 Legged Charity Race is proudly sponsored by 
St. Patrick’s Day 2026 race information
☘️ Tuesday 17 March 2026
☘️ The GOAT, Vesterbro Torv from 13:30. Race starts at 15:00
☘️ 250 DKK donation per 2-person team
Registration for 3 Legged Charity Race
Participation in the race costs a donation of 250 DKK per team (2 people). You can register on Eventbrite. Any problems, just send a mail to info@shamrocklove.com and we can register you manually.
Arrival on the day
We’ll be waiting for you outside The GOAT from 13:30. When you arrive, you’ll receive your 3LR pack containing your race armbands, velcro leg-tie, and team sheet with your team-name.
After that, you can test out your 3 legged skills around Vesterbro Torv or sit down with a pre-race drink before the race starts.
Check-in closes at 14:50. All teams must arrive before this time. Please note that everyone who enters must abide by the race rules.
Leg ties
From the early zip-ties days to the many years with our beloved gaffa tape, today we (re)use the velcro leg-ties we started using a few years ago. They help ensure the race runs as smoothly as possible with minimum queuing on the day. We know that some of you prefer a tighter leg tie, so don’t worry, our volunteers will be on hand with some extra gaffa tape, so just ask and we’ll tighten it up for you ;)
Race merchandise
We’ll be selling St. Patrick’s Day hats, t-shirts, headgear and there’ll be face-painting. Our race volunteers will be on hand to get you kitted out for the Race.
Remember folks, thanks to Guinness, every kroner you spend during Shamrock Love’s 3 Legged Charity Race - on merchandise or face-painting- will go directly to our 3 charities so if you’re buying something fun to wear this Paddy’s Day, make sure you buy it from us 🙂
Race start
Shamrock Love’s 3 Legged Charity Race 2026 will start on Vesterbro Torv at 15:00.
Racers will be set off in groups of 10 teams. The race will be timed using RaceClocker. We’ll publish results on Facebook when the race is finished.
Race route through Copenhagen 2026
On the Team Sheet there’s a QR code for the route map and space for the stamps you’ll receive at each of the five pubs on route (we’ll pre-stamp The GOAT so when your race time starts, you can just drink and go!)
You’re asked to drink a small (½ pint) beer and receive a stamp in each pub on route.
In 2026, the race passes though the following pubs:
See the complete 2.9 km route on google maps.
Crossing the Finish Line
The race finishes outside The Dubliner on Copenhagen’s Strøget (the walking street). Here, once you drink your last beer, our volunteers will register your finish time in RaceClocker. All teams must pass the Finish Line by 16:50. You can take longer, but you won’t be in with a chance to win the race or any associated prizes.
Prize giving and award ceremony
Prize giving will take place on stage at The Dubliner at 17:00. As always, we’ll have prizes for the winners of this year’s race and the best dressed racers. Thanks to all the pubs on route for the prizes.
The story behind the 3 Legged Charity Race since 2001
It’s a simple recipe- take a time-honoured race and some classic Copenhagen pubs. Mix with some Velcro leg ties and plenty of fun-loving revellers. Then sprinkle with some heart-warming appeal and a bit of craic, and you have the makings of the perfect way to celebrate the Irish national holiday.
Sponsored by Guinness, the 3 Legged Charity Race is Copenhagen’s longest running St. Patrick’s Day event. Started back in 2001 with just 18 teams, since then many more have accepted the challenge to become our 3 legged legends.
This wacky race, together with Shamrock Love, has donated 750.005 DKK (€100,552) to various charities and put the city on the lists of best places in the world to celebrate the day.
Ran by a committed group of volunteers from the city’s Danish-Irish community, the race kickstarts the city’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and brings everyone together for a fun-filled afternoon.
Check out this video from 2019 when the Embassy of Ireland in Denmark interviewed organiser Siobhán Kelleher-Petersen about how the 3 Legged Charity Race started.