RUNschnellweg — Night Run Essen–Mülheim

Night Run on the Ruhr Cycle Superhighway

The RUNschnellweg is one of the most unusual sporting events in North Rhine-Westphalia: a nocturnal run on the Ruhr cycle superhighway (RS1) between Essen and Mülheim an der Ruhr. The approximately 100-kilometer-long cycle highway — the flagship project of the North Rhine-Westphalian transport transition — is closed once a year for a sporting night run. Date 2026: Saturday, November 7, starting in the late afternoon.

Three Distances, Staggered Starts

The format is clearly structured: three distances with staggered start times, so that each distance develops its own atmosphere:

• 10 km — Start 5:00 PM
• Half Marathon (21.1 km) — Start 6:45 PM
• 5 km Individual — Start 7:00 PM
• 5 km Family Mode — Start 7:05 PM (for families and children aged 8+ with adult supervision)

The start and finish point for all distances is the FUNKE Media headquarters at Jakob-Funke-Platz 1 in Essen (postal code 45127). The half marathon route leads to the halfway point in Mülheim an der Ruhr and back.

Headlamp Required: The Trademark

What distinguishes the RUNschnellweg from normal city runs: the route is unlit. Every participant must wear a headlamp — mandatory. This creates the visual trademark of the run: thousands of cones of light moving along the cycle superhighway through the nocturnal landscape of the Ruhr area. Those who do not own a lamp can order one during registration or purchase one on-site on race day (limited supply).

Registration Fees 2026

Registration fees are tiered by distance: Half Marathon €49, 10 km €32, 5 km €19. Start document shipping costs an additional €5. In Family Mode: Adults €19, children under 18 €8. Registration is possible online via runschnellweg.de — registration deadline November 6, 2026, or as long as starting places are available.

Finisher Package and Atmosphere

Every finisher receives: race number with timing chip, finisher medal, refreshments on the course (water, sports drink, energy bar) and at the finish, digital certificate via email. The atmosphere after crossing the finish line at the FUNKE Media headquarters: live music, catering stands, an exclusive after-race party with a DJ. Families and accompanying persons can wait in the main hall of the headquarters — heated and with catering.

Westenergie and FUNKE Media as Main Partners

The main partner is Westenergie AG (formerly innogy), which plays an important role in the region as an energy provider and municipal utility owner. Co-organizers are the FUNKE Mediengruppe (with the Essen-based WAZ as the leading medium) and the Cities of Essen and Mülheim an der Ruhr. The City of Essen closes the section of the RS1 within its city limits for the run, as does Mülheim an der Ruhr for its part.