Next race
Sunday, 25 April 2027
9:00 am start
Distance
42.195 km / 26.2 mi
Historic urban road
Elevation
Rolling · 150 m gain
150 m climbing
Race profile
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.
Approximately 1,500 finishers
Course & terrain
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 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.
Rolling · 150 m gain — approx. 115 m above sea level
↑ 150 m · ↓ 140 m · net +10 m
Registration
The Heidelberg Marathon is held in April, typically on the fourth Sunday. Registration is at https://www.heidelberg-marathon.de/.
Getting there
Mannheim (MHG)
Mannheim-City Airport
15 km / 9 mi
Race footage
Common questions
Official resources
Last updated 11 October 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
Close to this race
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. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.
Next race: Sunday, 18 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
Planning guides
Practical guides to help you plan, train for, and run this race.
What flat, rolling, and hilly really mean — and how to read elevation gain, net change, and altitude on a marathon course.
How temperature, humidity, wind, and rain affect marathon performance — and how to use typical race-day weather when choosing a start line.
Match a race to your goals — personal bests, sightseeing, atmosphere, or a major milestone — using course data and realistic expectations.
