Magdeburg Marathon

Running through the City of Charlemagne

Magdeburg, in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, is known as the City of Charlemagne (Ottostadt) — seat of Otto I, later the capital of the GDR district administration, and today a state capital with a cathedral, Hundertwasser House, Elbauenpark, and plenty of green recreational space. Once a year, on the first weekend in October, this city belongs to the runners. The Magdeburg Marathon, with approx. 6,000 participants, is the largest running event in the independent city and one of the most beautiful marathons in Central Germany.

Course Description

The start and finish line are at the Elbauenpark — a recreational area from the 1999 Federal Garden Exhibition (BUGA), located directly on the Elbe riverbank in the Cracau district. The course leads via Petriförder into the city centre, past the Magdeburg Cathedral (Germany's oldest Gothic cathedral), the Monastery of Our Lady, the Hundertwasser House 'Green Citadel', then through Stadtfeld-Ost and back via Stadtpark Rotehorn. Four distances are available: 4 km Kids' Run, 10 km Fun Run, Half Marathon, and Marathon.

Participation and Schedule

Registration is open all year round online; an early bird rate until June 1, 2026, offers a discount. On the Saturday before the marathon, the Expo and bib collection take place in Elbauenpark, with the races themselves on Sunday. Finishers receive a high-quality functional shirt, medals for all disciplines, and aid stations every 5 km. Volunteers are welcome — the club provides its own volunteer shirts.