24th Charity Run Aachen

Aachen — Imperial City in the Three-Country Corner

The city of Aachen, with around 250,000 inhabitants and seat of the Aachen Region administrative district, in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, is located in the three-country corner of Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands on the western edge of the Eifel region. Historically the city of Charlemagne, a university city with RWTH Aachen University, and shaped by its location between city and nature, the Aachen Forest serves as a "green home" that defines its recreational profile. The Waldstadion on Rote-Haag-Weg is located on the edge of the Aachen Forest — a sports ground with a grass area, running tracks, and access to forest trails.

Charity Run Since 1999

The Charity Run Aachen was launched in 1999 — making it one of the oldest charity running events in North Rhine-Westphalia. The association's purpose: to collect donations for non-profit projects in Aachen, without a commercial competition format. The concept is explicit: no "fastest run," no "winner," no race — but rather movement, meeting, and solidarity for a social cause. Over the 23 previous events, €335,000 was raised for Aachen aid organizations — money that has flowed into charitable, social, and cultural projects in the region.

Distances and Format 2026

The 2026 program offers three routes, all starting from the Waldstadion:

• 3,000 m — short loop, ideal for families and walkers
• 5,000 m — classic fun run distance
• 8,000 m — both loops combined, for more ambitious runners

Start from 10:00 AM. Registration via the official Race Result portal. The distances are not timed — there are no winner awards, no age group trophies, but participation certificates for everyone.

Three Beneficiary Projects 2026

The proceeds in 2026 will go to three Aachen recipients:

• TABEA Tagesbeschäftigung Aachen e.V. — Day care center for people with disabilities
• Breakfast4Kids e.V. — Free breakfast for schoolchildren in disadvantaged neighborhoods
• Hospizstiftung Region Aachen — Palliative and hospice care

Three very different recipients, three simultaneously urgent needs — the selection underscores the association's approach to covering broad societal needs rather than addressing just one issue.

Atmosphere — Aachen South on a Sunday Morning

The Waldstadion is located in the Burtscheid/Frankenberger Viertel district in southern Aachen — a few minutes from the Aachen Forest. Families come with children, clubs in their jerseys, school classes with teachers, wheelchair users with companions. After the run, there will be refreshments at the Waldstadion, small stage performances, and a family Sunday atmosphere. The run is part of a local running calendar characterized by the Aachen Marathon, Vaalser Berg, and smaller fun runs — the Charity Run is the event with a distinct social mission.