Eight road races from January to October in the Oldenburg region — the most popular running series in the region in its 16th edition
The Öffentliche Laufserie is the largest and most traditional running series in the Oldenburg region. Over eight stages, it leads from winter to late autumn through cities, villages, and natural landscapes of the Weser-Ems region. The main partner is the Öffentliche Versicherung Oldenburg, and the organizational body is Oldenburg Marathon e.V.
The series connects hobby runners with ambitious distance athletes: from the 5-kilometer fun run to the classic marathon distance, the shared experience is paramount. Anyone who completes at least five of the eight stages receives an exclusive functional shirt, and from seven starts, a high-quality running jacket is added. The 16th edition starts on January 11, 2026, with the Sandkruger Schleife and ends on October 25, 2026, with the Oldenburg Marathon.
Since its inception, the Öffentliche Laufserie has established itself as a fixture in Northern German popular sports. Eight stages spread throughout the calendar year make it the longest-running regional running series in Lower Saxony. Each event is organized by a local club, making the series a showcase for volunteer sports activities in the Oldenburg region.
The routes and dates change throughout the year and cover different distances. Traditionally, the Sandkruger Schleife in mid-winter marks the start, and the final highlight is the Oldenburg Marathon at the end of October with the classic distances of 5 km, 10 km, half marathon, and marathon. In between are six other fun runs in towns across the region — from small village runs to medium-sized city runs. The stages are chosen so that the difficulty level builds up over the year, allowing runners to plan a meaningful competitive season.
Anyone participating in at least five of the eight stages secures the official functional shirt of the season. From seven completed runs, a running jacket is also issued. These loyalty rewards have been an important incentive for regular participants for years and ensure that many athletes follow the entire series throughout the year. An overall ranking across all stages adds the classic sporting incentive to the system.
As a regional insurer, Öffentliche Versicherung Oldenburg has been committed to grassroots sports for years and is the namesake of the series. With the 2026 Running Series flyer, they provide information on all eight stages, dates, and routes. The combination of regional sponsorship and the volunteer commitment of local clubs makes the Öffentliche Laufserie a model for sustainable sports promotion in the Oldenburg region.
The 16th Öffentliche Laufserie Oldenburg starts on January 11, 2026, with the Sandkruger Schleife and ends on October 25, 2026, with the traditional Oldenburg Marathon. In between are six further stages covering the entire Oldenburg region and encompassing all distances from 5 km runs to marathon distance.
The proven jersey system remains: from five completed stages, you get a functional shirt for the 2026 season, and from seven starts, a high-quality running jacket is added. This creates a shared sporting project for several thousand runners in the region throughout the year.
The 2026 series is the 16th edition and is organized by Öffentliche Versicherung Oldenburg and Oldenburg Marathon e.V. The opening on January 11 in Sandkrug is traditionally the coldest stage and also the season opener for many club runners from the Oldenburg region. The finale at the Oldenburg Marathon on October 25 is considered the sporting and social highlight of the region.
The winter run in Sandkrug kicks off the season on a flat course through the Hatten landscape. Even in winter conditions, several hundred participants regularly register.
The Oldenburg Marathon marks the season finale with distances of Marathon, Half Marathon, 10 km, and 5 km. The start and finish are in the Oldenburg city center.
The exact dates and routes of all eight stages will be published in the official 2026 Running Series flyer, available from Öffentliche Versicherung Oldenburg and via oldenburg-marathon.de. Distances range from 5 km to marathon for each stage, supplemented by children's races and routes for kids and youth at many events.
Entry fees vary by stage — typical range between €10 and €80 (Marathon). Details available during registration for each run.
Depending on the stage, from 5 km to marathon distance (42.195 km).
Online registration individually via the official websites of the organizing clubs. Overview and 2026 flyer at oldenburg-marathon.de.
Oldenburg Main Station on the Bremen–Leer line. Approx. 45 minutes from Bremen. Travel options to the stage locations vary — details on the pages of the individual runs.
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