19th Herne St. Martini City Run

A City Run with Tradition

Herne is one of Germany's most densely populated cities and part of the Ruhr metropolitan area between Bochum and Recklinghausen. With around 156,000 inhabitants, it is smaller than its neighbours, but active in sports — and the Herne St. Martini City Run has been one of the city's most important grassroots sports events since its inception. 2026 sees the 19th edition; the name refers to the patron saint St. Martin of Tours, the namesake of the Marienkirche in Herne's historic centre.

The Course — Flat and Through the City

The course profile is flat — a clear advantage for those aiming for personal bests and for beginners alike. The HGW run covers 5 kilometres through Herne's city centre, with start and finish on Boulevard Bahnhofstraße. The route includes the main traffic arteries of the city centre, which will be closed for the run — a rare opportunity to explore a city literally "on foot".

Competitions for Every Age Group

What makes the Martinilauf special is its breadth: not just a competition for adults, but a family running day with separate courses for every age group:

• Bambini Run (born 2019-2022, approx. 400 m)
• Primary School Run (approx. 1,250 m)
• Secondary School Run (approx. 1,250 m)
• Children's and Youth Competitions U10 to U20 (approx. 1,250 m)
• HGW Run (5 km, adults and youth)

Entry Fees and Registration

• Adults (Men/Women): €10.00
• Youth: €6.00
• Schoolchildren: €5.00
• Bambini: €4.00

Registration deadline: 20 September 2026. Late registrations on the day of the event are usually possible but incur an additional charge.

Race Packs

Race packs can be collected on 24 and 25 September 2026 at the City of Herne Sports Office (Bebelstraße 20, 44623 Herne). Those arriving at short notice can also pick up their race number directly at the event office on the day of the competition.

Atmosphere

What sets the Martinilauf apart from many other city runs is its family-friendly atmosphere: not a mass marathon event, but manageable, with regular participants from schools, clubs, and families from the entire eastern Ruhr area. Residents line the course, cheering and offering small refreshment stations. Those who have participated once often return.