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Munich Marathon Weekend: Record Participation Expected with 40,000 Runners
Munich is gearing up for an unprecedented sports weekend from October 9 to 12, 2026, as the city transforms into a hub for thousands of runners. More than 40,000 participants are registered for this year’s Munich Marathon, marking a new record for the event, according to the city portal Munich. This surpasses last year’s record of nearly 30,000 runners. An extensive supporting program is planned around the main marathon race, scheduled for October 11.
The Marathon Course and Key Races
The 42.195-kilometer marathon route begins at the Spiridon-Louis-Ring in Olympiapark, winding through Schwabing, past the Siegestor, and into the city center, passing iconic landmarks such as Odeonsplatz, Marienplatz, and Sendlinger Tor. It then continues through the English Garden, past the Chinese Tower, and into the Werksviertel before returning to the city center and finally to Olympiapark. The finish line is at Willi-Daume-Platz by Olympiasee. A significant 12,300 runners have registered for the full marathon distance.
Interested individuals can view the detailed course map on the marathon’s official website. The first runners are anticipated to cross the finish line around 11:10 AM. In addition to the full marathon on October 11, the weekend also includes a Half Marathon (Sport Schuster Half Marathon by Brooks), a 10 km Run, and a Marathon Relay.
Key Information for Marathon Day, October 11:
- Munich Marathon: Start: 9:00 AM, Spiridon-Louis-Ring (Olympiapark), 42.195 km route.
- Marathon Relay: Start: 9:25 AM, Spiridon-Louis-Ring.
- Half Marathon: Start: 10:25 AM, Spiridon-Louis-Ring.
- 10 km Run: Start: 1:30 PM, Werksviertel.
All four competitions will conclude at Willi-Daume-Platz (Olympiapark).
Cheering Zones and Spectator Engagement
Along the race routes, numerous Cheering Zones will be set up to energize participants. Last year, 150,000 spectators cheered on the athletes, and an even larger turnout is expected this year. A total of 53 Cheering Zones will feature various activities and entertainment, including Running Communities, DJs, live music, samba, percussion, brass bands, and cheerleading and dance teams.
Runners Festival: Three Days of Celebration
The Runners Festival kicks off on Friday, October 9, at Olympiapark. The Hans-Jochen-Vogel-Platz will host a program for participants, fans, and visitors until Sunday, with free admission. The festival includes a stage program with live music, DJ sets, talks, interactive activities, and workouts. Over 50 brands and exhibitors from the sports, health, and lifestyle sectors will also be present.
Friday’s program will focus on health and preparation, covering topics such as nutrition, AI, heart health, training, sleep, and mental preparation.
- Friday to Sunday, Hans-Jochen-Vogel-Platz
- Friday: 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Sunday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Admission: Free
Munich School Run and Kids Run
Parallel to the main events, the Munich School Run will see 3,830 students participating in 1-kilometer and 3-kilometer races. The start and finish lines are at Jans-Jochen-Vogel-Platz, with children from grades one to 13 taking part.
- Date: October 9, 2026, Hans-Jochen-Vogel-Platz (Olympiapark)
- 1 Kilometer: Start at 10:30 AM
- 3 Kilometers: Start at 11:30 AM
Saturday’s program at Hans-Jochen-Vogel-Platz also includes a Hip-Hop concert by #eigenArt, Mobility Yoga, and a discussion with Marathon European Champion Richard Ringer. An athlete talk featuring Nina Reuter, Katharina Saathoff, Tom Thurley, and Erik Hille is also scheduled.
The Kids Run will host 1,800 children, aged four to 14, across three distances: 400 meters, 2.1 kilometers, and 4.2 kilometers, all within Olympiapark.
- Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026, Hans-Jochen-Vogel-Platz
- 400 meters: Start 1:05 PM (4-6-year-olds)
- 2.1 kilometers: Start 2:05 PM (6-14-year-olds)
- 4.2 kilometers: Start 3:05 PM (6-14-year-olds)
Dallmayr Coffee Run for Charity
The new Dallmayr Coffee Run is also scheduled for Saturday. This 4.2-kilometer community run, also in Olympiapark, is a charity event, with all proceeds from registration fees benefiting the Münchner Tafel (Munich Food Bank). More information about this run can be found on the Coffee Run website.
Race Day and Volunteer Support
Sunday is Race Day, with competitions and finishes accompanied by a stage program and award ceremonies. DJ sets and live music will create a vibrant atmosphere. Munich musician Nico Sücker will perform twice in a duo with Leon Engelhard on keyboard.
The entire running weekend is made possible by approximately 2,000 volunteers stationed along the course, at refreshment points, and within Olympiapark.
Further information can be found on the official Munich Marathon website and the official city portal of Munich.
Source: https://www.augsburger-allgemeine.de/bayern/muenchner-marathon-grosses-sportler-wochenende-vom-9-bis-12-oktober-das-ist-geplant-115433707
