Next race
Sunday, 25 April 2027
8:30 am start
Distance
42.195 km / 26.2 mi
Urban road
Elevation
Flat · 40 m gain
40 m climbing
Race profile
Overview
The Hamburg Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 12k finishers on an urban road in Hamburg, Germany. The course starts and finishes at the Reeperbahn. The route follows the Alster lakes, passes the Elbphilharmonie, and crosses the Elbe via tunnels and bridges. Very flat with minor rises on Elbe crossings.
Hamburg Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
- Typical participants
Approximately 12k finishers
- Weather
- Course records
- Men: 2:03:46 — Amos Kipruto (2025)Women: 2:17:23 — Yalemzerf Yehualaw (2022)
Course & terrain
Hamburg Marathon course
Route map, elevation profile, and downloadable GPX for race-week planning.
The Hamburg Marathon is a loop that starts on Karolinenstraße at Hamburg Messe (second start at Bei den Kirchhöfen) and finishes on Karolinenstraße. It follows the Alster lakes, passes the Elbphilharmonie, and crosses the Elbe via tunnels and bridges. It is very flat apart from minor rises on the Elbe crossings, and spectators line Karolinenstraße, the Alster paths, and the waterfront.
Hamburg Marathon route map
The Hamburg Marathon course is flat over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 40 metres of climbing and 40 metres of descent, with minimal net elevation change from start to finish.
- Elevation
Hamburg Marathon GPX file
Download the Hamburg Marathon GPX file
Marathon Focus' proprietary GPX processing removes duplicate points, adds elevation data, and formats the file so you get a cleaner, more reliable route to load into your Garmin, Coros, or Apple Watch fitness watch.
Registration
Hamburg Marathon entry requirements
Registration is available at haspa-marathon-hamburg.de. The race sells out in advance; early registration is recommended. International runners can also enter through official travel partners.
Getting there
Hamburg Marathon travel
Airports closest to Hamburg for flight planning and race-week travel.
- Closest airport
Hamburg Helmut Schmidt Airport (HAM)
9 km / 6 mi
Race footage
Hamburg Marathon videos
Race-day footage from the course to help you picture the route, crowds, and key landmarks on marathon day.
Hamburg Marathon - Course Overview in 15 Minutes
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Hamburg Marathon elevation profile?
- The Hamburg Marathon has 40 metres of total climbing and 40 metres of descent over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). The course is flat, with 0 metres of net change from start to finish.
- Where can I find the Hamburg Marathon route map?
- This page includes a Hamburg Marathon course map showing the full 42.195 km route from start to finish. Follows the Alster lakes, passes the Elbphilharmonie, and crosses the Elbe via tunnels and bridges.
- How long is the Hamburg Marathon?
- The Hamburg Marathon is the standard marathon distance of 42.195 kilometres (26.2 miles), certified to World Athletics rules. From Karolinenstraße at Hamburg Messe (second start at Bei den Kirchhöfen) to on Karolinenstraße.
- What time does the Hamburg Marathon start?
- The 2027 Hamburg Marathon starts at 8:30 am local time on Sunday, 25 April 2027. Arrive early for baggage drop and corral access — official race communications confirm any last-minute schedule changes.
- Is the Hamburg Marathon Germany's oldest city marathon?
- Yes. The HASPA Marathon Hamburg first took place in 1986, making it one of Germany's longest-running city marathons. It has grown into one of the biggest road races in Europe, regularly attracting over 15,000 marathon entrants.
- What landmarks does the Hamburg Marathon course pass?
- The flat course takes runners past the iconic Speicherstadt warehouse district (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), along the Alster lakes, through the Altona neighbourhood, and past the Elbphilharmonie concert hall with views of the Elbe harbour — a showcase of Germany's second-largest city.
- When is the Hamburg Marathon held?
- The HASPA Marathon Hamburg is typically held on the last Sunday of April, catching Hamburg's mild spring conditions before summer heat arrives.
- How flat is the Hamburg Marathon course?
- Extremely flat. With only around 40 metres of total elevation gain, the Hamburg course ranks among the flattest marathon routes in Germany — comparable to Berlin — making it well-suited for setting personal bests.
- How do I register for the Hamburg Marathon?
- The race sells out in advance; early registration is recommended. International runners can also enter through official travel partners.
Official resources
Hamburg Marathon links
Websites
Social Media
Last updated 11 October 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
Close to this race
Nearby Marathons
Other races closest to Hamburg.
HannoverLower SaxonyGermany· 132 km away
Hannover Marathon
The Hannover Marathon hosts about 6,000 finishers each April on one of Germany's flattest courses through the capital of Lower Saxony. The loop passes the New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus), Maschsee lake, and Herrenhausen Gardens on wide boulevards. Hannover's flat terrain and spring race date attract runners seeking fast times in northern Germany.
Next race: Sunday, 25 April 2027
RostockMecklenburg-Western PomeraniaGermany· 153 km away
Rostock Marathon
The Rostock Marathon draws approximately 1,500 finishers each May through the Hanseatic port city on the Baltic Sea. The course passes the St. Mary's Church, the Warnemünde beach resort, and the harbour channel on flat northern German coastal terrain. May's Baltic spring and the seaside finish make it Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's premier marathon.
Next race: Sunday, 23 May 2027
MagdeburgSaxony-AnhaltGermany· 194 km away
Magdeburg Marathon
The Magdeburg Marathon draws approximately 300 marathon-distance finishers each October on an urban road in Magdeburg, Germany. Its flatness makes it one of Germany's more under-the-radar fast autumn marathons. The course starts on Tessenowstraße at Messe Magdeburg and finishes between the Messe halls on two flat loops through city parks and Elbe-adjacent roads.
Next race: Sunday, 3 October 2027
MünsterNorth Rhine-WestphaliaGermany· 238 km away
Münster Marathon
The Münster Marathon draws about 4,500 finishers each October through the bicycle capital of Germany. The course passes the Prinzipalmarkt arcades, St. Paul's Cathedral, and the Aasee lake on flat Westphalian terrain. October autumn weather and the historic Prinzipalmarkt finish make it a charming western German marathon.
Next race: Sunday, 16 May 2027
Planning guides
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