Dear Simon, you were part of the place to be this year on Bornholm - omegn. Can you explain the concept behind omegn?

Yes I was, and it’s been a hectic and very busy but fun summer. It’s the first time we’ve opened a restaurant, and luckily it has exceeded all expectations! Omegn is a modern Osteria under the open sky in the heart of Sandvig. Here you’ll find fresh pasta, local ingredients, and genuine service in relaxed surroundings. The menu changes with the seasons, and the atmosphere is informal, curious, and full of presence.

What inspires your concept and servings at omegn?

We are four guys who opened the restaurant, and together we have a background of running smaller projects such as festivals in Sweden, long-table dinners, and so on. I think what all of these ventures have in common is our wish to create a place where our guests feel at home and part of the evening. We really want to include our guests in our project and share our story – and you can taste that in the food. And Ludvig, our head chef, has both worked in Italy and attended pasta school there, which is where his – and our – love for Italian craftsmanship comes into play.

You worked crazy shifts those days. How do you find the energy to power through?

I’ve had a full-time job back home in Copenhagen while at the same time traveling back and forth to Bornholm every week – usually working service from Thursday to Sunday on Bornholm, and then Monday to Thursday in Copenhagen. I think I only had two days off from the beginning of June until the end of August. I would absolutely not recommend anyone else to do the same! At the start of the summer, I was convinced it wouldn’t be a problem, but little by little, towards the end of August, I hit rock bottom. I think sheer stubbornness is what got me through. But I came back from the summer completely drained of energy – and now I’m slowly finding my way back again.

When will omegn open in Copenhagen? You know I'm pushing for Østerbro.

That’s a really good question. I think we all just need to go home and find ourselves again after such a hectic summer. But I believe it’s a dream we all share – though how, in what form, and how far into the future it might be, we don’t know yet.

What do you enjoy the most about Copenhagen as a city?

What I enjoy the most about Copenhagen is the balance of it all. It’s a capital city, but still small enough to feel personal and easy to get around. I love the way the city comes alive in the summer – everyone outside, swimming in the harbor, biking everywhere, and enjoying food and wine together. At the same time, it has a calm rhythm that makes it feel like home.

How does an average weekday in the city look like for you? Where do you spend your time when not at home or work?

My days over the summer have been very different and quite hectic, but an average weekday before the summer – and what I’m now getting back to – usually looked like this: waking up early, having a light breakfast and a cup of coffee, then typically running to and from work two to three times a week. After work, it was often an afternoon run followed by relaxing and spending time with my girlfriend. Over the past year I’ve been living a bit of an elite lifestyle while training for CPH Marathon 2025 – early mornings, training, work, running, repeat. I’d like to find my way back to something in between that extreme training focus and being able to just go out and have a beer with my friends.

What is the best thing about the city you get reminded about whenever you travel to other places?

The best thing about Copenhagen, and what I always get reminded of when I travel, is how easy and relaxed the city feels. You can bike and run everywhere, the distances are short, and there’s this mix of calm and vibrancy that makes everyday life flow in a really natural way. It’s not too big, not too small – it really is the world’s smallest big city, in the best possible way.

How is Copenhagen as a city to run in? Both from a practical and more holistic perspective?

From a practical perspective, Copenhagen is a great city to run in. It’s flat, easy to navigate, and you can go from city streets to parks or the waterfront in just minutes. The infrastructure makes it simple to combine running with everyday life – I often run to and from work.

On a more holistic level, the city feels open and calm when you run through it. You get to experience the rhythm of daily life – people biking past, the smell of bakeries in the morning, or the quiet by the lakes before the rush hours in the morning. Running here makes me feel very connected to the city – it’s both training and a way of being part of Copenhagen’s everyday pulse.

What does your training group look like? How do you enjoy to train?

My team is TTTT Athletics / Hyld Studio Athletics. I joined about a year ago, and it has helped me enormously to train with people who have much more experience and knowledge about running than I do. It’s been really special to get to know people at 7 in the morning – not after a crazy night out, but while running. In that setting you’re completely yourself, and it’s meant a lot to me to connect with such wonderful people in that way.

The group itself is quite mixed – some are close friends, others have met through running communities in Copenhagen. We all share the same passion, but with different levels and goals, which makes it really motivating. I enjoy training both alone and together with others. Running alone gives me focus and a kind of meditative calm, while group training pushes me to go faster and makes the hard sessions fun. That balance keeps me motivated week after week.

How would you describe the running scene as you see it in Copenhagen? From a beginner to amateur to elite perspective?

The running scene in Copenhagen is really special because it feels open to everyone. For beginners, it’s easy to get started – the city is full of beautiful routes that make running enjoyable right away. I actually started as a beginner myself about a year and a half ago, and I was welcomed incredibly warmly and quickly found my place in the Copenhagen running community. There are countless groups and clubs that create a strong sense of belonging and motivation. There’s a growing culture of people pushing the limits and aiming high, which inspires the rest of us. I’ve been extremely happy that I started running in this city!

What should I see visiting CPH for the first time?

If you’re visiting Copenhagen for the first time, I’d say explore the city by bike or running – it’s the best way to experience it. Go for a run around the lakes, along the harbor, or through Fælledparken, and if you’re up for a longer route, head out to Amager Strand or even Dyrehaven just north of the city. A tip is to grab a coffee at Prolog on Papirøen – and from there it’s easy to jump straight into the harbor for a swim after a run. Then spend time exploring different neighborhoods – each has its own vibe – and finish the day with good food and wine somewhere cozy. Copenhagen isn’t about one single big sight, it’s more about the atmosphere – and that’s what makes it special.

Which meal or restaurant should I not miss?

I’d of course say you shouldn’t miss a meal at Omegn if you’re on Bornholm in the summer haha.

In Copenhagen, one of my personal favorites is Suphan on Gothersgade – nothing fancy, just incredibly good Thai food with so much flavor.

What should I do after the race sunday?

After the Copenhagen Half, I’d recommend keeping it simple and celebratory. A great way to refuel and experience something truly danish, would be to eat smørrebrød at Aamanns ;). Which is also a great way to set the tone for the rest of the day with the people who came to cheer on you or you ran with, whether you want to grab a beer or a coffee and then let the evening take you where it wants – whether that’s dancing at SØ or crashing on the sofa in your running gear. To be honest, I usually aim for SØ but somehow always end up on the sofa haha.

Where should I hang out?

I’d say skip the tourist traps and hang out where the city comes alive. My best advice is to take a bike and just ride through the city, stopping wherever you feel like it – a little café or wine bar, a local pub, or whatever catches your attention. Keep your eyes and ears open and simply enjoy Copenhagen as it unfolds around you.

What do you hope to see for cph half next year?

Next year will be crazy with the World Championships in Copenhagen. I honestly don’t know what to expect other than an incredibly festive day with hopefully some big danish and international names in the field. I’m really looking forward to experiencing the city as a host – it’s going to be something special.