Next race
Sunday, 23 May 2027
9:00 am start
Distance
42.195 km / 26.2 mi
Urban road
Elevation
Flat · 50 m gain
50 m climbing
Race profile
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.
Karlsruhe Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
Approximately 2,500 finishers
Course & terrain
The Karlsruhe Marathon is an urban road that starts and finishes at the Karlsruhe Palace (Schloss). The fan-shaped loop radiates through the city's unique planned streets, passing the ZKM museum and the Rhine harbour district. The flat profile keeps rhythm steady throughout, with only minor bridge ramps or short rises interrupting otherwise even pacing. Spectators gather at the start-finish festival and at organised cheer zones through the city centre and along the main boulevards.
The Karlsruhe Marathon course is flat over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 50 metres of climbing and 50 metres of descent, with minimal net elevation change from start to finish.
Registration
The Karlsruhe Marathon is held in May, typically on the fourth Sunday. Registration is at https://www.karlsruhe-marathon.de/.
Getting there
Rheinmünster (FKB)
Karlsruhe Baden-Baden Airport
35 km / 22 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 Karlsruhe.
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 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.
Next race: Sunday, 25 April 2027
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 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 Strasbourg Marathon attracts approximately 4,000 finishers each May through the capital of Alsace at the Rhine border. The course passes the Gothic Strasbourg Cathedral, the Petite France canals, and the European Parliament district on flat Alsatian terrain. May's spring weather in the 'Capital of Europe' makes it one of France's most internationally flavoured marathons.
Next race: Sunday, 23 May 2027
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.
When a flat course helps your time, when hills are worth the view, and how to pick terrain that fits your training and goals.
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.
