Schleswiger Stadtlauf — VR Bank Nord

A 38-Year Running Tradition

The Schleswiger Stadtlauf — VR Bank Nord, with its 38th edition in 2026, is one of the most established running events in Schleswig-Holstein. It is organized by the club Spiridon Schleswig von 1980 e.V., named after the Greek marathon runner Spyros Louis (winner of the 1896 Athens marathon). Spiridon clubs exist in many German cities, supporting the local running scene; the Schleswig club, with its Stadtlauf, is among the most important organizers in Northern Germany.

Four Distances for Four Generations

The 2026 program covers the entire generational spectrum:

• 400m Bambini Run — for children aged 4 to 7, start 10:15 AM (free)
• 1.9 km Youth Run — for children aged 7 to 11, start 9:00 AM (free)
• 5 km Run — Youth from age 10 (€6), Adults €13, start 9:30 AM
• 10 km Main Run — Youth from age 12 (€6), Adults €13, start 10:30 AM

The 5 km and 10 km courses are officially measured, and timing is done electronically via STGK. This makes the run a reliable competition for ambitious runners — and in 2026, it also serves as the State and District Road Running Championship.

New Route in 2026 — Along the Schlei

The most significant innovation for 2026: the route will run along the Schlei and across the Königswiesen for the first time. This is more than just a route change — it's a scenic enhancement: The Schlei is Germany's longest fjord, an inlet of the Baltic Sea extending deep inland, whose shores form one of Schleswig-Holstein's most beautiful landscapes. The Königswiesen are located directly on the southern bank of the Schlei in Schleswig, spacious and park-like.

Schleswig — A City with Over 1,200 Years of History

Schleswig is the district capital of Schleswig-Flensburg and one of Northern Germany's oldest cities — with roots in the Viking-era trading center Haithabu, which existed from the 8th to the 11th century and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2018. The cityscape is characterized by Schloss Gottorf and the Schleswig Cathedral with Hans Brüggemann's famous Bordesholm Altar. The Stadtlauf thus combines sport and city history — anyone running there is running through a city with a distinctive North German identity.

655 Registrations — A Growing Event

In the record-breaking run of recent years, 655 runners registered for the distances. This growth reflects a broad renaissance of recreational and competitive running in Germany, making the Schleswiger Stadtlauf a firm fixture on the running calendar of Northern Germany. Registrations for 2026 are open online until May 1, 2026, at stgk.de.