Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
The Heidelberg Marathon attracts approximately 1,500 finishers each April through Germany's most romantic university town on the Neckar River. The course passes Heidelberg Castle on its forested hilltop, the Old Bridge (Alte Brücke), and the Philosopher's Walk with views of the red-roofed Altstadt. April's Neckar valley spring and the fairy-tale scenery make it one of Germany's most picturesque marathons.
Heidelberg Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
The next Heidelberg Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, 25 April 2027 with a 9:00 am start. The certified course covers 42.195 km (26.2 miles) with 150 m of climbing on a rolling with moderate climbs layout.
The Heidelberg Marathon is a historic urban road that starts and finishes at the Neckar riverfront or Heidelberg Hauptstraße area. The loop crosses the Old Bridge, passes the castle approach, and follows the Neckar River through the Neuenheim district. Flatter corridors and river valleys offer the easiest miles, while the moderate climbs through hills, bridges, or bluffs are the tougher sections once fatigue builds. Crowd support is strongest around the historic start-finish hub and along the landmark districts that define the city's character.
The Heidelberg Marathon course is rolling with moderate climbs over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 150 metres of climbing and 140 metres of descent, with a net climb of 10 metres from start to finish.
The Heidelberg Marathon is held in April, typically on the fourth Sunday. Registration is at https://www.heidelberg-marathon.de/.
Race-day footage from the course to help you picture the route, crowds, and key landmarks on marathon day.
Last updated 18 July 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
Other races closest to Heidelberg.
The Mannheim Marathon draws approximately 2,000 finishers each May through the grid-planned city at the confluence of the Rhine and Neckar rivers. The course passes the Wasserturm water tower, the baroque Schloss Mannheim, and the grid-layout city blocks unique in Germany. May's Rhine spring and the flat river-plain terrain make it a fast southwest German marathon.
Next race: Sunday, 23 May 2027
The Karlsruhe Marathon attracts approximately 2,500 finishers each May through the fan-shaped baroque city in Baden-Württemberg. The course radiates from the Karlsruhe Palace through the city's unique fan-layout streets, passing the ZKM media museum and the Rhine harbour. May's spring weather in Germany's sunniest city and flat terrain make it a popular southwest German marathon.
Next race: Sunday, 23 May 2027
The Bienwald-Marathon draws approximately 1,500 finishers each March on a forest road in Kandel, Germany. It is a favored German spring race for runners chasing even splits on flat terrain. The route passes quiet Palatinate roads and long sheltered sections beside the Bienwald woodland. The course is very flat throughout.
Next race: Sunday, 7 March 2027
The Bottwartal Marathon draws approximately 1,800 finishers each October on a valley road in Steinheim an der Murr, Germany. It is a classic community marathon weekend for southwestern Germany's club-running scene. The route passes vineyards, small towns, and rolling valley roads north of Stuttgart. Vineyards, small towns, and valley roads north of Stuttgart carry October's classic southwestern Germany community marathon weekend through rolling but largely runnable countryside.
Next race: Sunday, 4 October 2026
The Mainz Marathon attracts approximately 2,000 finishers each May through the Rhine city of Gutenberg and carnival fame. The course passes the Mainz Cathedral, the Rhine riverfront, and the citadel overlooking the river on flat Rhenish Hesse terrain. May's Rhine spring and the carnival-city atmosphere make it one of Germany's most cheerful regional marathons.
Next race: Sunday, 23 May 2027
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