The ultimate St. Patrick’s Day endurance test
Started in 2001, the 3 Legged Charity Race is part of our Shamrock Love roots. This unique tradition 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.
The 3 Legged Charity Race is proudly sponsored by 
3 Legged Charity Race 2023
Are you ready for the ultimate St. Patrick’s Day endurance test? This race requires both skill and balance as racers are tied together in teams of two and asked to move at a steady pace along a 2.6 km route. There’s five pub-pitstops along route where each racer drinks a small (½ pint) beer.
Read more about the race below, check out the race rules, and if you’ve any questions just give us a shout!
Registration
Registration starts at 12:00 on 1 March 2023. Participation in the race costs a donation of 200 DKK per team (2 people) sent to MobilePay 299333. For those outside Denmark, please use PayPal.
Remember to include your team name in the MobilePay or PayPal comment. We have a capacity of 200 racers (or 100 teams of 2) and will keep you updated on Facebook about registration numbers.
Note all donations are non-refundable however if you can’t make it on the day, your race entrance is transferrable.
Arrival at Kennedy’s
We’ll be waiting for you down at Kennedy’s from 13:00 on St. Patrick’s Day. When you arrive, you’ll be asked to sign a disclaimer after which you’ll receive your 3LR pack containing your race armbands, velcro leg-tie, and team sheet with your team-name (taken from MobilePay or PayPal comment).
Then you’re free to get 3 legged and start practicing outside Kennedy’s before the race starts at 14:00 😊
Leg ties
We’ve learnt a thing or 2 about leg ties over the years. From the early zip-ties days to the many years with our beloved gaffa tape.
Last year we introduced our velcro leg-ties and ye racers loved them so we’ll be using them again in 2023. Please hand back your leg-tie at the Finish Line or return it to one of the pubs on route by Sunday 19 March.
Prefer a tighter leg tie? Don’t worry, our volunteers will be on hand with some extra gaffa tape left over from previous years, so just ask and we’ll tighten it up for you ;)
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 a new hat make sure you buy it from us 🙂
Race start
Shamrock Love’s 3 Legged Charity Race 2023 will start outside Kennedy’s Irish Bar at 14:00.
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.
Route 2023
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 Kennedy’s 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 2023, the race passes though the following pubs:
You’ll have a total of 1.5 hours from your start time in which to complete the race.
See the complete 2.6 km route on google maps.
Finish Line
The race finishes at The Dubliner on the walking street. Here, once you drink your last beer, our volunteers will register your Finish time in RaceClocker.
Prize giving
Prize giving will take place on stage at The Dubliner at 15:45. As always, we’ll have prizes for the winners of this year’s race and the best dressed racers. Thanks to all the pubs for the prizes.
Story behind the race
And they’re off! Racers at the 3 Legged Charity Race, 17 March 2019, Copenhagen
Credit— Andy Kelly (Paddyrazzi)
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 600,000 DKK (€80,600) 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.