Name: Kassel Marathon 2026
Start: 2026-09-18T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-09-20T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Stadtweite Strecke / Auestadion

Kassel Marathon

About Kassel Marathon

From September 18th to 20th, 2026, the 20th Kassel Marathon will take place, the largest sporting event in Northern Hesse. Main marathon, half marathon, relay marathon, and mini marathon, plus 21 km walking on an urban route through the documenta city – from the start at Damaschkestraße through Waldau, Wesertor, Nordholland, Rathaus, Staatstheater, and Universität to the finish in the Auestadion. A weekend full of supporting events around the marathon tradition.

Dates 18 Sep — 20 Sep 2026

Venue Kassel (06611)

Prices 14.00€ — 105.00€

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Kassel Marathon — edition 2026

Tickets →

20th Anniversary Edition of the Kassel Marathon with main marathon, half marathon, relay, mini marathon, and 21 km walking. Main race Sunday from 9:30 AM from Damaschkestraße, finish in Auestadion. Three days of supporting program with expo and children's marathon.

The 20th edition marks a double anniversary: 20 years of the Kassel Marathon and the opening of the autumn sports week. AS Event GmbH coordinates the event as in previous years; the exclusive anniversary year will be accompanied by special promotions and a collector's calendar (12 QR codes with training content and surprise events).

Highlights Kassel Marathon 2026

20th Anniversary Edition
Northern Hesse's largest sporting event
Marathon, Half Marathon, Relay, Mini Marathon, Walking
Route through the documenta city
Finish in Auestadion
Three-day supporting program

Programme Kassel Marathon 2026

Friday, September 18, 2026 — Kick-off and Marathon Expo

All day — Marathon Expo with sports exhibitors, equipment tests, and registrations
Bib collection for registered runners
Evening event for registered participants

Saturday, September 19, 2026 — Children's Marathon and Walking

All day — Marathon Expo continues
Morning — Mini Marathon (4.219 km) for children and beginner runners
Afternoon — Walking events and supporting programs
Pasta party for registered marathon participants

Sunday, September 20, 2026 — Main Race Day

9:30 AM — Start of Main Marathon (42.195 km) and Half Marathon (21.1 km) at Damaschkestraße
9:30 AM — Start of Relay Marathon (teams of 4) on the same course
From 11:30 AM — First finishes of the half marathon elite in Auestadion
From 12:00 PM — First finishes of the marathon elite
Until 4:00 PM — Finishes of all marathon participants
Afterwards — Award ceremony and closing celebration in Auestadion

The Route (42 km Marathon, 2 × Loop)

Start: Damaschkestraße
Through Waldau, Wesertor, and Nordholland
Past the Rathaus and Staatstheater
Across the University Campus
Through Karlsaue Park
Finish: Auestadion
Elevation gain: 257 meters (total route)

Prices Kassel Marathon 2026

Walking €14–€19, Half Marathon approx. €35–€60, Marathon approx. €45–€80, Relay €51–€105 (depending on registration date). Register at kassel-marathon.de.

Practical information

Practical information — Kassel Marathon

Getting There

By train: ICE stop Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe or Kassel Hauptbahnhof, then take the tram to Auestadion. By car: A7 or A44, exit Kassel-Mitte, parking available at Auestadion and Vorderer Westen. Many city center streets will be closed during the race.

Admission

Entry fees: Walking €14–€19, Half Marathon approx. €35–€60, Marathon approx. €45–€80, Relay €51–€105. Spectating is free. Register at kassel-marathon.de.

Tip

For runners: 257 meters of elevation gain – the course is hillier than many first-time Kassel runners expect. For spectators: Auestadion offers the best finish experience. Friedrichsplatz, Königsstraße, and the Aue loop are other points along the route with atmosphere. The Marathon Expo (Friday/Saturday) is also worthwhile for non-runners.

Northern Hesse's Largest Sporting Event

The Kassel Marathon has been Northern Hesse's largest sporting event since 2007 and is one of Hesse's most prestigious running events. In 2026, the 20th Anniversary Edition will take place – a doubly symbolic date: 20 years of marathon tradition in the documenta city on the Fulda river, organized by AS Event GmbH based in Ahnatal, just outside Kassel.

Four Distances for Every Runner

Programmatically, the Kassel Marathon covers the entire spectrum:

Main Marathon (42.195 km) – the classic distance, run twice over an approx. 21 km loop in Kassel
Half Marathon (21.1 km) – the most popular distance, once over the marathon loop
Relay Marathon (42 km) – in teams of 4, ideal for companies and clubs
Mini Marathon (4.219 km) – for children and beginner runners
21 km Walking – for Nordic walkers and hiking enthusiasts

The Route Through Kassel

The Marathon Route winds through the Kassel city area and, with 257 meters of elevation gain, is classically hilly – a true city route, not a flat asphalt speedway. The start is at Damaschkestraße near the Auestadion. From there, the route leads through the districts of Waldau, Wesertor, and Nordholland, past the Rathaus, the Staatstheater, the Universität Kassel, and finally back to the Auestadion for the finish. Main marathon runners complete this loop twice.

Sunday as Race Day

The programmatic highlight is Sunday, September 20, 2026: At 9:30 AM, the main marathon and half marathon start together at Damaschkestraße. The relay format runs parallel on the same course. The Mini Marathon and Walking start at different times on Saturday or Sunday, depending on the discipline. The arrival of the fastest marathon runners is expected around 12 PM in the Auestadion, while the slower marathon runners will reach the finish by approximately 4 PM.

Three-Day Supporting Program

The Kassel Marathon is not just a race day, but a three-day weekend. Friday, September 18th, starts with the Marathon Expo (sports exhibitors, registrations, equipment tests) and bib collection. Saturday, September 19th, features the Children's Marathon, walking events, and supporting programs. Sunday is the main race day.

A Route That Showcases the City

What sets the Kassel Marathon apart from many big city marathons is its curated route design. The organizers have consistently laid out the route to showcase Kassel's diversity: the industrial history in Waldau, the residential districts of Wesertor and Nordholland, the ceremonial axis from the Rathaus to the Staatstheater, the university campus, and the Karlsaue park with the Auestadion. It's a marathon that is also a city tour – ideal for runners seeking the route experience.

Registration and Prices

Entry fees range from €14–€19 for walking to €51–€105 for the relay marathon (depending on the registration date – early registrants pay less). Registration is via the official website kassel-marathon.de. Those who want to be part of the 20th-anniversary celebration should book early – the anniversary edition is sure to be exceptionally well-attended.