Köln Marathon

There are finish lines – and then there’s this one: in the final metres of the Cologne Marathon, Cologne Cathedral rises into the sky in front of you, while the roar of the crowd practically carries you over the line.

Since 1997, the Cologne Marathon has been one of Germany’s biggest marathon events, attracting runners from all over the world – not least because tens of thousands of spectators line the route together, cheering as if their own family were running. That’s just how it is here.

Sightseeing at running pace: from the Rhine riverbank to the Veedel

The start: on the right bank of the Rhine in Deutz. From there, Cologne shows off its best sides: along the Rhine, through the Rheinauhafen with its Crane Houses, past the Chocolate Museum and the German Sports & Olympics Museum, and into neighbourhoods like Südstadt, Sülz, Ehrenfeld and Nippes. There, people drum, play music and celebrate right outside their front doors – a little bit of Carnival in autumn.

Ambitious marathon runners know: Cologne’s flat course profile is considered fast. If you’re chasing a personal best, Cologne is the place to be.

With a race number or without: a day for everyone

Alongside the classic marathon, the programme also includes the half marathon and relay marathon. Young runners get involved too: in the school marathon, pupils split the distance as a team, while the littlest participants have their own children’s races over 500, 1,000 and 2,000 metres. And if you’re not running at all, simply find yourself a spot along the route: watching, cheering and celebrating are just as much a part of the sport here.