Gutenberg Half Marathon Mainz

The Gutenberg Half Marathon Mainz was launched in 2024 and has developed rapidly ever since. Already in its third edition in 2026, it counts well over 17,500 registrations — a scale that has propelled it into the top tier of running events in Rhineland-Palatinate. The date on Mother's Day Sunday has proven to be a stroke of luck: warm spring air, a city in full bloom, a long weekend for travellers arriving from afar.

The course is sporty and touristically attractive. Start and finish are on Rheinstraße, the wide main street between the city centre and the Rhine promenade. The half marathon leads along the Rhine, through the Zollhafen quarter, past the Christuskirche, across the boulevards of the Neustadt back into the Old Town with its late Roman and Baroque traces, and concludes in front of Mainz Cathedral. The profile is almost flat — anyone aiming for a good time will be happy here.

The 10 km run starts as early as 8:45 am, and the half marathon follows at 10 am. This staggered concept decongests the city centre for residents and allows ambitious runners to combine both competitions. Accompanying events include school runs, a family programme, and a sports expo on the Rhine promenade. Refreshments are provided every five kilometres along the course, with paramedics and mobile medical stations accompanying the run.

The atmosphere in Mainz on this Sunday is exceptional: small live bands play on many street corners, Mainz's district associations run refreshment stations, and the crowd celebrates on the Rhine promenade with drums and trumpets. Those who have run in the city once will come back.