78th Paderborn Easter Run

Paderborn Easter Run — Germany's oldest road race since 1947

When the starting gun fires at Maspernplatz on Holy Saturday, one of Germany's most traditional sporting events begins: The Paderborn Easter Run enters its 78th edition on April 4, 2026 — making it the oldest road race in Germany. First held in 1947, it has taken place every year without interruption, without any breaks or cancellations. A continuity that is unique in German athletics.

Over 15,000 starters — a record number of participants

The 2026 edition shatters participation records: With 15,070 participants from 21 nations, it is the most well-attended Easter Run in history. All main races were fully booked weeks before the event:

• Hotel Vivendi 10 km — 5,000 participants (fully booked)
• Paderborn Lippstadt Airport 5 km Fit and Fun — 3,500 participants (fully booked)
• Laufladen Endspurt Half Marathon — 3,500 participants (fully booked)
• MBörso-Computer Nordic Walking / Walking 5 km — Registration still open
• Bambini Run for children

Those who want a spot in the main races can join a waiting list by emailing [email protected].

The Course — flat, fast, through Paderborn

The start and finish are at the Maspernplatz sports center in Paderborn's city center. The course is predominantly flat — the only notable incline is around kilometer 1 at the Nordbrücke. The 10 km course is run once, the half marathon twice. These favorable topographical conditions have made the Paderborn Easter Run one of the fastest half marathons in Germany.

Course Records

The course has been the scene of spectacular records:

• Men's Half Marathon: 60:07 — Ghirmay Ghebreslassie (2013), who later became Marathon World Champion
• Women's Half Marathon: 68:51 — Irina Mikitenko (2008)

These best times show why the Easter Run has been a sought-after event for elite runners internationally for decades.

Organizers SC Grün-Weiß Paderborn and City of Paderborn

The organizer is Sportclub Grün-Weiß Paderborn in cooperation with the City of Paderborn. An organizing team that has grown over generations, transforming the originally small club run of the post-war era into one of the largest running events in North Rhine-Westphalia. Several thousand volunteers support the event — from aid stations and course marshals to timing.

Paderborn — University City in Ostwestfalen

The independent city of Paderborn, with its approximately 156,000 inhabitants, is the administrative seat of the Paderborn district, a university location, and the cultural center of eastern Ostwestfalen-Lippe. It is known for the Paderborn Cathedral, the Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum (world's largest computer museum), and the University of Paderborn. The Easter Run is the city's most important major sporting event, attracting between 30,000 and 50,000 spectators and companions to the city center each year — an economic factor of considerable importance for the gastronomy and hotel industry.