Experience the history and excitement of the Cologne Marathon!
This traditional marathon, which has been held since 1997, will be held again this year in the vibrant city of Cologne.
Experience the exhilaration of racing through the high-speed course while feeling the World Heritage Site, Cologne Cathedral, up close! Enthusiastic cheers from the sidelines will boost your running spirit. Why not make some unforgettable memories at the Cologne Marathon?
Let’s run through history and vitality with our goal of Cologne Cathedral!
The Cologne Marathon is a major event held in Cologne, one of Germany’s most beautiful cities. The course runs through streets full of history and culture, with the World Heritage site of Cologne Cathedral in the background, and will be an unforgettable experience for runners. Here, we will introduce the charms of the course for each distance.
Course Overview
・Starting point：The moment when the runners start running through the streets of Cologne, filled with excitement at the start of the race at Koelnmesse. The sight of thousands of runners starting to run at the same time is truly spectacular.
・5km point：Right after the start, the course runs along the Rhine, Germany’s largest river. You can enjoy the beautiful cityscape of Cologne while feeling the refreshing breeze.
・10km point：Cologne Cathedral, a World Heritage site that symbolizes Cologne, comes into view. The majestic Gothic building will touch the hearts of runners and increase their motivation.
・15km point：After passing Cologne Cathedral, you will enter the historical district. The streets, which still retain the atmosphere of the Middle Ages, make you feel as if you have traveled back in time. The old churches and cute houses line the streets, helping to soothe your running fatigue.
・20km point：Returning to the Rhine and crossing the bridge is one of the highlights of the course. Feeling the cool breeze from the river, you can start running with renewed enthusiasm.
・25km point：As you enter the lively old town, pubs and restaurants line the streets. Encouraged by the warm cheers from the roadside, aim for the finish line.
・30km point：The final straight stretch is finished with Cologne Cathedral in the background. The moment you cross the finish line, you will be filled with joy and emotion that your efforts have paid off.
Elevation difference and climate
・Elevation difference: The course is known to be flat and fast, with minimal overall elevation gain, making it ideal for achieving personal best times. The main elevation changes are the gentle ascents and descents over the Rhine bridges.
・Weather: Held in early October, the climate in Cologne is often perfect for marathon running. The typical temperature range is conducive to optimal performance.
Participants’ comments
・ “It’s not just a race; it’s a huge, city-wide carnival! The atmosphere around Rudolf Square was electric.”
・ “Running past the incredible Cologne Cathedral at the end gave me shivers. The noise was incredible.”
・ “The famously flat course allowed me to maintain a consistent pace and hit my goal time. I highly recommend it for a PB!”
・ “Cologne feels like a giant party celebrating running. The view from the Deutz Bridge at the start is a moment I’ll never forget.”
・ “The continuous support from the crowds in the city quarters was an unbelievable energy boost.”
Strategy
The key to conquering the Cologne Marathon is to capitalize on the famously flat and fast course by maintaining a disciplined and consistent pace from the start. Use the initial gentle climb over the Deutz Bridge as an early warm-up. Leverage the non-stop, party-like atmosphere and the massive crowd support, especially at the three passages through Rudolf Square, to boost your energy in the middle and late stages of the race. Focus on efficient running through the lively quarters of the city to save energy for the final approach to the Cathedral.
The Cologne Marathon is a 42.195km journey that will thrill your senses and test your limits. Run through a historic city filled with enthusiastic cheers and achieve the greatest thrill and sense of accomplishment of your life.
2025 Cologne Marathon Summary
・Date and time: October 5, 2025
・Number of finishers: 7,938
・Average Time：-
MEN
1: Barnaba Kipkoech: 2:06:53
2: Boniface Kibiwott: 2:08:14
3: Onesmus Kiplagat Kiplimo: 2:08:31
4: Edward Konana Koonyo: 2:09:51
5: Dereje Adunga: 2:09:57
6: Jonathan Maiyo: 2:12:18
7: Jonathan Dahlke: 2:18:09
8: Siebe Van Dijck : 2:22:34
9: Lucas Worth: 2:29:03
10: Nic Ihlow Pace: 2:29:15
WOMEN
1: Fantu Shugi: 2:29:11
2: Zinash Mekonnen: 2:30:37
3: Faith Chepkoech: 2:30:58
4: Shewaye Woldemeskel: 2:45:19
5: Kristina Höhn: 2:47:48
6: Susan Witte : 2:49:17
7: Sophie Bergmann: 2:50:37
8: Nora Schmitz: 2:50:41
9: Maike Drieb-Schön: 2:51:43
10: Van De Wijgert: 2:54:23
2026 Cologne Marathon
Let’s run through Cologne, a city where history and culture blend together! With the World Heritage Cologne Cathedral in the background, why not create unforgettable memories together? A course full of attractions awaits you, including beautiful scenery along the Rhine and the lively old town. Anyone can participate, from beginners to veterans! Enter early!
・Location: Opladener Straße (Ottoplatz/Bahnhof Deutz)
・Date and time: October 4, 2026
・Start time: 10:30 a.m.
A vibrant city on the Rhine where history and modernity come together
Cologne, located on the banks of the Rhine, is a charming city where the vestiges of the ancient capital blend with modern vitality. The symbol of the city is the Cologne Cathedral, a World Heritage Site, and its majestic Gothic style overwhelms visitors.
Walking through the cobblestone alleys, you will find the old town with a medieval atmosphere. With rows of cute houses and ancient churches, you will feel as if you have traveled back in time. Meanwhile, the lively shopping streets are bustling with people looking for the latest fashion and local specialties.
A Rhine cruise is the perfect opportunity to discover new charms of Cologne. The view of Cologne Cathedral from the boat and the beautiful scenery on both sides of the river will surely be an unforgettable memory. Cologne is also known as a food city, and there is a wide variety of gourmet foods to delight your taste buds, such as the local beer “Kölsch” and the traditional dish “Halver Hahn”.
There are also many art galleries and museums, and you can learn about modern art by artists such as Picasso and Miro at the Luwig Museum, and the history of chocolate at the Chocolate Museum. Various events are held throughout the year, and the entire city is enveloped in a festive atmosphere during carnival.
Cologne is a city where history, culture, and modern vitality coexist in harmony. Its charm attracts a wide range of people who want to enjoy shopping, gourmet food, and beautiful nature while enjoying the atmosphere of an ancient city. Once you visit, you’re sure to be captivated by its charm.
