Name: Mitteldeutscher Marathon 2026
Start: 2026-10-04T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-10-04T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Start Leipzig (Elsterflutbecken) — Ziel Marktplatz Halle (Saale)

Mitteldeutscher Marathon

About Mitteldeutscher Marathon

The Mitteldeutscher Marathon is one of the most scenic running events in Eastern Germany: Start at the Elsterflutbecken in Leipzig, finish on the market square in Halle (Saale). The 23rd edition takes place on October 4, 2026 — featuring a Marathon, Handel Half Marathon, 10 km race, Salzwirkerlauf (5 km), AOK Fun Run, and Relay Marathon.

Dates 04 Oct — 04 Oct 2026

Venue Halle (Saale) (15002)

Prices —

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Mitteldeutscher Marathon — edition 2026

Tickets →

The 23rd Mitteldeutscher Marathon starts on Sunday, October 4, 2026. The Marathon (42 km) begins at 9 a.m. at the Elsterflutbecken in Leipzig, the Handel Half Marathon at 11 a.m. in Schkeuditz. Both distances end on the market square of Halle (Saale). Additionally: 10 km, Salzwirkerlauf 5 km, AOK Fun Run, and Relay Marathon.

Six distances, one finish line: the market square of Halle (Saale). The Mitteldeutscher Marathon unites running professionals, ambitious half-marathon athletes, and families on the fun run in a single day's program. The marathon route leads from Leipzig's west through the Saale-Elster floodplain to Halle — scenically diverse, with good refreshments and spectators along the route.

Highlights Mitteldeutscher Marathon 2026

Point-to-point Leipzig → Halle · Six distances · Market square as finish line · Bach Town and Handel Town

Programme Mitteldeutscher Marathon 2026

Sunday, October 4, 2026 — Competition Formats

09:00 — Marathon (42.195 km) — Start Leipzig Elsterflutbecken, Finish Halle (Saale) Market Square
11:00 — Handel Half Marathon (21.1 km) — Start Schkeuditz, Finish Halle Market Square
Noon — 10 km Race and 10 km Walking
Morning — Salzwirkerlauf (5 km) — City run in Halle
Noon — AOK Fun Run — Family/Children's Run
Relay Marathon — Four-person relay over 4 × approx. 10.5 km
From Noon — Award ceremonies on Halle Market Square

Prices Mitteldeutscher Marathon 2026

Entry fees are tiered according to distance and registration date. Details on mitteldeutscher-marathon.de.

Practical information

Practical information — Mitteldeutscher Marathon

Registration

Online via mitteldeutscher-marathon.de. Entry fees are tiered according to distance and registration date. Early registration recommended.

Getting to the Course

Start Leipzig Elsterflutbecken — accessible from Leipzig Central Station by tram or on foot. Finish Marktplatz Halle (Saale) — 10 minutes' walk or tram from Halle Central Station.

Return Journey

Commuter and shuttle services between Halle and Leipzig — tickets often included in the starting package.

Future

24th edition planned for October 17, 2027, 25th edition for October 16, 2028.

Marathon between Two Cultural Cities

The Mitteldeutscher Marathon is a unique running format in Germany: It connects two federal states and two of the most important musical cities in Central Germany. The start is in Bach Town Leipzig at the Elsterflutbecken, the finish on the market square of Handel Town Halle (Saale). In between lie 42 kilometers through the meadow landscape of the Saale-Elster region, passing through villages like Schkeuditz, Großkugel, and Trotha — a course that is as scenically and culturally historically appealing as few other marathons in Eastern Germany.

The event has been held annually at the beginning of October since 2003 and celebrates its 23rd edition in 2026. The organizer is the Mitteldeutscher Marathon Verein e.V., which, with great volunteer commitment and the support of both cities, organizes the logistically demanding point-to-point format. At the finish line on the market square in Halle, runners can expect a festive atmosphere, music, and the city center's audience.

Six Distances for All Levels

The program includes six competition formats: the Marathon (42.195 km, start 9 a.m.), the Handel Half Marathon (21.1 km, start 11 a.m.), the 10 km race with a walking option, the Salzwirkerlauf (5 km), the AOK Fun Run (family run), and the Relay Marathon (4 × approx. 10.5 km). The distances are staggered so that every runner — from marathon specialists to hobby runners with children — can find their format.

Halle (Saale) and the Saalekreis as a Sports Location

Halle (Saale) is the second-largest city in the state of Saxony-Anhalt and the actual center of the marathon — the course ends here. The marathon was founded in 2003 when the city on the Saale and neighboring Leipzig wanted to celebrate their close connection through sports. Today, the Mitteldeutscher Marathon attracts several thousand participants — professionals, hobby runners, walking groups, school classes. It is one of Saxony-Anhalt's most important running events and a classic start to the autumn marathon calendar.