Course Map
About this Race
The Generali Cologne Marathon is a lively city race anchored by the towering Gothic spires of the Kölner Dom, looping through the Rhineland's carnival capital and across bridges spanning the Rhine. The course is largely flat with a few short rises around the river crossings, and it threads through the old town and historic quarters on broad, spectator-lined streets. Run in early autumn, it carries the famously upbeat, party-friendly spirit of Cologne, with music and cheering crowds throughout. The undulations are minor enough that a steady pace holds up well, though the bridge climbs reward a little restraint. It suits runners who want a fast, fun, atmosphere-rich race in one of Germany's most sociable cities.
Course Insight
Cologne is a lively, largely flat autumn marathon anchored by its unmistakable Gothic cathedral, crossing the Rhine and winding through a city that turns out in force. The profile is gentle, with bridge approaches the only real interruptions to an otherwise even course. Big, boisterous crowds make it easy to get swept along faster than planned in the early kilometres. October weather tends to cooperate. It's a sociable, achievable course rather than a brutal one; run the first half with discipline and the cathedral skyline welcomes you back for a strong finish.
Difficulty Breakdown
Mostly due to very flat.
Course Details
- Course type
- Loop
- Elevation gain
- 85m
- Elevation loss
- 70m
- Highest point
- 64m
- Lowest point
- 44m
- Net elevation
- +15m
- Start
- Opladener Straße
- Cutoff time
- 6h 0m
Course Records
- Men's
- 2:06:53 — Barnaba Kipkoech (Kenya), 2025
- Women's
- 2:25:34 — Helena Kirop (Kenya), 2012
Race History
The Cologne Marathon was first held in 1997, touring the Rhineland city beneath the towering spires of its Gothic cathedral and across the bridges of the Rhine. It quickly took on the upbeat, party-friendly character of the carnival capital, with music and lively crowds lining the route. From its early editions it grew into one of western Germany's biggest marathons. Run each autumn, it now draws tens of thousands of participants across its various race distances.
Plan Your Trip
Everything you need to know to get there, get settled, and get to the start line.
- Nearest airport(s)
- Cologne Bonn (CGN), Düsseldorf (DUS)
- Best area to stay
- The Altstadt for cathedral-side central hotels on the route, the Belgian Quarter for hip boutique stays, and Deutz for modern hotels across the Rhine with easy access.
- Getting to the start
- The start is in the city centre; take the KVB Stadtbahn or S-Bahn to a central stop and walk to the start.