Nikolauslauf — Around the Einfelder See

Fun Run at Einfelder See

On the second Saturday in December, the Einfelder See lake in the north of Neumünster transforms into a running course. The Nikolauslauf is a staple in the North German running calendar — a fun run for all fitness levels, with walkers and amateur runners explicitly welcome. In the state of Schleswig-Holstein, the run is one of the classic winter sports events in the city of Neumünster.

Two Distances and a Chocolate St. Nicholas

The organizer, Erster Kanu-Klub Neumünster e.V., offers two distances:

• Short Loop — 4 km, start 12:00 PM — ideal for beginners, families, and walkers
• Lake Circuit — 7.8 km, start 1:00 PM — the classic distance, one full lap around the Einfelder See

Every finisher receives a chocolate St. Nicholas figure at the finish line; individual certificates are available for download after the run.

Einfeld — Neumünster's Lakeside District

Einfeld is located on the lake of the same name in the north of Neumünster. The lake is a natural idyll in the middle of the city, surrounded by forest and field paths — perfect for a fun run. While other districts of Neumünster (Innenstadt, Süd) are urban, Einfeld has retained a village character. The local residents cheer on the runners every year.

For Amateurs and Tradition

The Nikolauslauf is explicitly considered a fun run, not a high-performance race. Walking is permitted, families run together, and dogs are allowed (on a leash). The character of a club festival combines with the claim of an officially measured running course — and the Advent weekend lends the event its St. Nicholas touch.