B2Run Gelsenkirchen — Company Run

A Company Run in Schalke's Stadium

B2Run is Germany's largest series of company runs, taking place in over ten cities each year. In Gelsenkirchen, the route leads around the VELTINS-Arena – the home stadium of FC Schalke 04 – on a roughly 5-kilometer circuit. What sets B2Run apart from regular public runs is the spectacular finish line inside the stadium: runners enter through the players' tunnel and cross the pitch where Bundesliga matches are normally played. For many participants, especially Schalke fans, this is a unique experience.

2026 Program: Teams from Across the Ruhr Area

The 2026 edition will take place on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. Around 3,000 employees from companies, public institutions, clubs, and associations are expected – primarily from the western Ruhr area (Gelsenkirchen, Bochum, Essen, Herne, Recklinghausen), but also from companies in Münsterland and the Düsseldorf region. Unlike traditional public runs, the focus is not on best times, but on team spirit, health promotion, and shared experiences. Most teams consist of 5 to 50 runners from a single company; the fastest and largest teams will be honored.

Categories and Awards

There are several award categories: Fastest Team (Men / Women), Largest Team, Industry Winner, plus a children's run (Kidslauf) for 8- to 14-year-olds accompanied by parents or employees. The course is manageable for walkers, joggers, and ambitious runners alike; many treat the event as a 5-kilometer walk with colleagues. After crossing the finish line, an after-show program takes place in the stadium with a stage show, photo wall, catering, and DJ set – a classic team event format.

Gelsenkirchen, Schalke, and the Ruhr Area

Gelsenkirchen, with around 260,000 inhabitants, is one of the largest cities in the Ruhr area (state of North Rhine-Westphalia). While the city is shaped by its past as a mining center, it now positions itself through football (FC Schalke 04), industry, and event formats. The VELTINS-Arena – a state-of-the-art multi-purpose stadium with a retractable roof and pull-out pitch – is not only Schalke's home but also hosts concerts and major ice hockey events. B2Run utilizes this infrastructure as a branding element.

Workplace Health as a Brand

B2Run events are explicitly focused on corporate health management (BGM). Many companies register their teams precisely because the event counts as a measure to promote exercise and team spirit. Especially in industries with predominantly sedentary occupations, the run is a welcome opportunity to integrate a sporting element into the business day.