Munich, July 20, 2026 – The MARATHON MÜNCHEN by Brooks is expanding its offerings for children and young people with the introduction of the 1st Munich School Run. Scheduled for October 9, 2026, this new event will bring together primary and secondary schools from across Munich to participate in a free running event at Olympiapark. The initiative, fully funded by the non-profit Laufstatt Event gGmbH, aims to encourage physical activity and promote team spirit among students.
New School Run Emphasizes Teamwork and Accessibility
Under the patronage of Sports Mayor Verena Dietl and with the support of the Department for Education and Sport, Olympiapark will transform into a vibrant running arena for Munich’s students on a Friday morning. The motto, “Run with your class,” underscores the event’s core principle: teamwork. Classes will start together, cheer each other on, and cross the finish line as a unit.
“Bringing children and young people into motion is close to our hearts. The fact that we, as the non-profit Laufstatt Event gGmbH, can offer the School Run free of charge to all schools is particularly important to us. We want to inspire as many children as possible to enjoy running. With an eye on Munich’s Olympic bid, we also want to make Olympic values tangible for children and young people today,” said Fabian Schäfer, Managing Director of Laufstatt Event gGmbH.
Participants can choose between two distances: 1 kilometer and 3 kilometers, with two starting times in the morning. In addition to official timekeeping, the event will feature a class ranking, a special award for the most engaged school with the highest number of participants, medals for all finishers, and a diverse program of activities and interactive stations at Olympiapark.
“In the Munich School Run, teamwork counts more than the fastest time. It creates an easily accessible offer that all children and young people can participate in, regardless of their sporting experience. Such formats promote cohesion, strengthen health, and enrich our sports city of Munich,” stated Verena Dietl, Mayor of the City of Munich and patron of the 1st Munich School Run.
Registration is exclusively through a free collective registration by teachers. The registration deadline is September 27, 2026.
Kids Run Expands with Three Distances
Following the School Run on Friday, Olympiapark will be dedicated to the youngest participants on Saturday, October 10, 2026. The Kids Run will now offer three age-appropriate distances for children and young people aged 4 to 14: 400 meters, 2.1 kilometers, and 4.2 kilometers. All routes will be entirely within Olympiapark, ensuring a traffic-free environment. Whether it’s a first running experience or a display of athletic ambition, the Kids Run provides a suitable distance for every age. Individual registration is required, and tiered participation fees apply. With the Kids Run, MARATHON MÜNCHEN by Brooks supports the “Lauf dich fit!” (Run yourself fit!) initiative of the Bavarian Athletics Association, advocating for more physical activity in childhood and adolescence.
MARATHON MÜNCHEN by Brooks: A Growing Running Weekend
The MARATHON MÜNCHEN by Brooks made an impressive comeback in 2025, attracting 28,500 runners and approximately 150,000 fans along the route. In 2026, the running weekend continues to grow. In addition to the Marathon, the program includes the Sport Schuster Half Marathon by Brooks, the 10 KM Run, the Marathon Relay, the Kids Run, the new Dallmayr Coffee Run, and the 1st Munich School Run, which kicks off the events on Friday. The start and finish lines for all races are located in Olympiapark.
Beyond the sporting competitions, participants and visitors can look forward to a diverse supporting program. The Runners Festival by Brooks, featuring exhibitors from sports, health, and lifestyle, interactive activities, and culinary offerings, forms the heart of the Marathon weekend. Along the route, live music, volunteers, cheering points, and thousands of fans will create a unique atmosphere. The event draws people from over 100 nations to Munich and also has a significant economic impact; last year alone, it generated approximately 45,000 hotel overnight stays.
Further information on the 1st Munich School Run, the Kids Run, and the MARATHON MÜNCHEN by Brooks is available at marathonmuenchen.org.
Source: Nachrichten München, Marathon München, Laufstatt Event gGmbH
