From the comments I heard and read, there is no question at all that had it not been for Frederik (as well as his family) and his deep commitment to this event, there is no way in this world even half would have signed on. And certainly not people who usually don't exercise.
This has also helped to cement the fact that Frederik is in the minds of now most Danes is closing in on becoming the main figure in the DRF, with Mary close behind.
QMII is still there, oh yes! But it is increasingly Frederik who calls the shots, Frederik whom people look to. - Again with Mary close behind.
What also made Royal Run an even bigger success this year, was that this year it was much more inclusive.
It incorporated the option for people to walk, and to walk a short distance i.e. one mile - which is something almost everyone can manage. After all two wearing exo-skeletons completed the one mile.
As well as a manageable medium distance. i.e. five kilometers that is also a distance almost everyone can manage.
- That no doubt got even more up from the couch than last year.
After all walking, even a short distance is better than sitting.
What also made Royal Run such a success is that it very much appeals to women. It's a
social event, where everyone can attend, while having a cozy time. And if the wife or girlfriend wish to attend Royal Run and wish for her husband or boyfriend to go as well - he will go. That's how it works.
It has been estimated that around 60 % of those signing up were women.
That doesn't mean it doesn't appeal to men as well. A group of men, whether they are spurred on by their better halves or not, can easily agree on walking a certain distance or running a shorter distance. And then it becomes a commitment.
The Royal Run is unusual in the sense that I will say that for most time wasn't important. It was taking part and belonging to a social group that mattered. Everything was done in order for people having the opportunity to attach themselves to a loose group, no matter the level.
The fitness-Nazis were few and far between. They had their own 10 km run they could sign up for, so they didn't bother everybody else.
There were also a number of Side-Royal Runs. Arranged locally, sometimes incorporating novel themes. Like five kilometer run for dog-owners with their dogs. Or if the dogs couldn't cope, a five kilometer walk with the dogs. The main thing was taking part.
As we all know, far from all dogs walk five kilometers a
day! And the same thing goes for their owners...
I don't think that will be incorporated in the bigger events though, simply because it makes many dogs nervous having too many people and dogs around. But on a local level, it's bound to spread.
But that wasn't the only thing. Soldiers stationed abroad did their own Royal Run, as far as security permitted. Even at the Thule Base in Greenland, where a lot of the Americans stationed there joined their Danish colleagues.
It's a good thing you have to sign up for the event and buy a ticket. That means you are more committed. Otherwise it's pretty tempting to forget about training and also to skip if it rains.
This is an event where the CP-couple really mingle with people from all sorts of backgrounds and all sorts of places and of all ages. Wearing a number and running gear, means are all pretty much uniform, so the social and economical divides vanish.
The whole family taking part in the crowd with a minimum of security is a huge impact! It means so much to so many.
That Frederik is stellar when it comes to interacting with people on a personal level, even if it's just giving a high-five or posing for a selfie, certainly doesn't diminish the whole thing!
So PR-wise this simply cannot be underestimated.
The One Mile run in Copenhagen today is now the largest of it's kind in the world. Some 17.000 took part.