MAXiLAUF Hamm

MAXiLAUF — Hamm's Most Popular Family Run

If you're looking for a family-friendly Volkslauf (popular run) in Westphalia that appeals to both beginners and ambitious runners, the MAXiLAUF Hamm is a classic on the Westphalian running calendar. Since its first edition in 2019, the event has become the largest running event in the city of Hamm — with distances for every generation, a scenically attractive circuit along the Lippe River and the Datteln-Hamm Canal, and start/finish in the Maximilianpark, Hamm's green landmark (created for the 1984 National Garden Show on the former Maximilian colliery site).

2026 Date — Embedded in the NRW State Gymnastics Festival

The MAXiLAUF 2026 takes place on Thursday, June 4 — and for the first time in 2026, it is an official part of the NRW State Gymnastics Festival „LTF26“, brought to Hamm by the Westphalian Gymnastics Association. Thus, on the day of the event, the Hamm running community and gymnasts from all over North Rhine-Westphalia will meet — a unique sporting event in Hamm's event calendar.

Five Distances for Every Generation

The 2026 distance offering covers all running levels:

• Half Marathon — 21.0975 km on a DLV-measured circuit (eligible for record lists)
• 10 km — Route redesigned for 2026, better running flow
• 5 km — The entry-level race for ambitious hobby runners
• Schoolchildren's Run — Official timing and measurement from 2026 (new feature)
• Bambini Run — Mini-distance for the little ones, without competitive pressure

The Half Marathon Course — Lippe Meadows and Canal

The half marathon circuit is DLV-measured and is considered one of the fastest Volkslauf half marathons in Westphalia. The course runs largely away from traffic roads through the Lippe meadows and along the Datteln-Hamm Canal — pure nature experience, wide paths, quick dispersal of the field, hardly any head-on traffic. Refreshment stations are available at Schloss Heesen (km 7) and Gut Lödding/Holunderweg (km 18) as well as in the start/finish area. A highlight in many runner reports: the Schloss Heesen passage with a view of the 17th-century moated castle.

Record 2025 — Nearly 2,200 Participants

The sixth edition on May 18, 2025, broke the participation record: nearly 2,200 runners took part in the five distances, with 460 in the half marathon (the strongest individual race of the event). The feedback from the Westphalian running scene was unanimously positive: good organization, nature-oriented course, very wide paths, motivating support along the course. Similar or higher participation is expected for 2026 — boosted by the integration into the NRW State Gymnastics Festival.

Registration and Practical Information

Registration via the Race Result portal (link on maxilauf.de). Entry fees vary depending on the distance and registration period. The Maximilianpark as the start and finish area offers prime spots for spectators, a festival tent, catering, children's activities — ideal for accompanying families. The park itself (the only converted colliery site with the "Glass Elephant" artwork) invites you to linger after the run.

Organizer

The organizer is Sport und Freizeit Hamm gGmbH, a non-profit company of the City of Hamm; athletic management by Marcus Münstermann (Hamm Sports Office). Cooperation partner 2026: Westfälischer Turnerbund e.V. (LTF26).