9th Run Without Borders — Bieg bez Granic 2026

Frankfurt (Oder) and Słubice — A Divided City

Frankfurt (Oder) and Słubice are two cities with a common origin. Before 1945, Frankfurt (Oder) was a single city; after the end of the war, the city was divided along the Oder — the right bank became Polish Słubice, the left bank remained German Frankfurt (Oder). Today, both cities are twin cities and cooperate in many areas — together they operate the European University Viadrina with the Collegium Polonicum, they organize cultural events together, and the citizens of both cities run across the city bridge once a year: at the Run Without Borders — Bieg bez Granic.

The Course — Through Two Countries

The run begins at the intersection of Karl-Marx-Straße / Słubicer Straße in Frankfurt (Oder). The course leads across the city bridge to Słubice, through the Polish city, and back across the bridge. There are two distances: 5 km and 10 km. Both distances lead through both countries — that is the concept and the special appeal: In the course of 30 to 50 minutes, you cross the border four times. An experience that is as self-evident here as nowhere else in the EU at this particular city border.

More Than a Sporting Event

The Run Without Borders is more than a sporting event — it is a political statement. In times when borders in Europe are increasingly questioned, Frankfurt-Słubice upholds an open, sporting border: two cities, one city bridge, one run. Sport as a vehicle for togetherness, movement, and exchange. The organizers are the Stadtsportbund Frankfurt (Oder) and the Polish partner associations — a collaboration tested over many years. Registrations for 2026 are possible via the Stadtsportbund website.

In the Frankfurt Sports Week Context “3, 2, 1 … Start”

In 2026, the run will take place parallel to the 45th International Oder Rundfahrt (July 8-12, cycling) and the HanseStadtFest. Frankfurt (Oder) is bundling its sports and festival week in July 2026 under the motto “3, 2, 1 … Start” — a concentrated week of city festival, cycling race, and run that sets the city on the Oder riverbank in motion.