Fränkische Schweiz-Marathon

Anniversary: 25th Fränkische Schweiz-Marathon

The Fränkische Schweiz-Marathon – or FS-Marathon for short – is one of Germany's oldest and most attractive landscape marathons. The event is organized by the association of the same name, Fränkische Schweiz-Marathon e.V. In 2026, the 25th anniversary edition will be held – a quarter-century of marathon running through the tourist heart of Franconian Switzerland.

Car-free B470 as the Marathon Route

The route runs entirely on the federal highway B470, which is closed to traffic for the event – one of the few major federal highways in Germany to be completely closed for a marathon. The course is relatively flat and leads through the heart of the romantic Franconian Switzerland between Walberla and Neideck. The start and finish are in Ebermannstadt.

Seven Disciplines for Every Pace

The event offers a wide range of disciplines:

• Marathon (42.195 km) – the premier discipline
• Half Marathon (21.1 km)
• 10 km Run
• Relay Marathon (4 runners)
• Run & Bike (21.1 km, team of two consisting of a runner + cyclist, with interchangeable roles and a joint finish)
• Handbike Marathon – inclusive
• Children's Runs – held in the morning

Volksfest Along the Route

What sets the FS-Marathon apart from many others: along the route, villages and hamlets transform into Volksfest stations. Tens of thousands of spectators, brass bands, beer stands outside inns, music bands at the checkpoints, and trumpet or drum groups accompany the runners along the entire course. The B470 becomes a festival mile – a sports event and Volksfest combined.

Participant Limit for the Anniversary

For the first time on its 25th edition, there is a participant limit of 2,500 starting places – the organizers want to preserve the character of the event and avoid overcrowding the narrow B470. Online registration is open until August 30, 2026, via the official website. Registration fees range from €8 to €85, depending on the discipline and registration date.

Service and Inclusion

Participants receive timing chips, finisher medals, refreshments along the course, and free use of public transport via the VGN combi-ticket. The Handbike Marathon makes the event explicitly inclusive – transponders must be returned immediately after the race in the finish area (otherwise a €80 fee applies).

Franconian Switzerland – A Hiking Paradise Between Bayreuth and Nuremberg

Franconian Switzerland is one of Bavaria's most scenic low mountain ranges – with karst rocks, caves, castles, farm breweries, and orchards. It is located between Bayreuth to the east, Bamberg to the northwest, and Nuremberg to the south. Ebermannstadt – the district town of Forchheim with around 7,000 inhabitants – is the gateway to Franconian Switzerland and a hub for regional tourism. The marathon utilizes this backdrop like no other sports event in Upper Franconia.