Wedekindlauf Hildesheim

37th Edition of a Hildesheim Tradition

In 2026, the Hildesheim Wedekindlauf will be held for the 37th time, making it one of the oldest and most established city runs in Southern Lower Saxony. Over the years, the run has become a firm fixture in the Lower Saxony running scene, regularly attracting several hundred runners from Hildesheim, the region, and beyond.

Market Square as Start and Finish

The start and finish are at the historic Market Square of Hildesheim – a setting that lends a special atmosphere to a city run. The Market Square, with its reconstructed Knochenhauer Guild House and surrounding burgher houses, is one of the most impressive backdrops against which Lower Saxony runners can start and finish. The run is accompanied by a small festival atmosphere with a stage, refreshment points, award ceremonies, and spectators.

Two Distances

The Wedekindlauf offers two main distances: 5 kilometers for beginners and amateur athletes, and 10 kilometers for more ambitious runners and competitors. The courses are flat and fast, making the run attractive for personal best attempts. The routes lead from the Market Square through the city's parks and along the Innerste river, allowing runners to experience a cross-section of Hildesheim's green spaces.

City and Nature Scenery

The course does not run solely on asphalt roads but deliberately through park-like areas and along the water. Those running the 10-kilometer course get a good impression of Hildesheim's green spaces: the parks, the banks of the Innerste, the quiet residential streets on the outskirts of the city center. This mix of urban atmosphere and natural passages is one of the run's hallmarks.

Organizers MTV 48 and Sparkasse HGP

The run is organized by MTV (Männer-Turn-Verein) 48 Hildesheim and Sparkasse Hildesheim-Goslar-Peine. MTV 48 is one of the city's largest sports clubs with a long tradition, and Sparkasse HGP has been supporting the event as the main sponsor for many years. This organizational structure guarantees professional execution and stable financing.

Family and School Runs

The main race is usually accompanied by shorter distances for children and school students. This makes the Wedekindlauf a family event: parents start in the 5 or 10 km races, children in the short distances, and the whole family meets up again at the Market Square afterward.

April as the Running Date

The date at the end of April is climatically ideal for a city run: usually mild, occasionally windy, with good conditions for personal bests. Registration is done in advance via wedekindlauf.de; on-site late registrations are usually also possible.