The Cologne Marathon route is flat, 42.195 kilometres long, and starts on the right bank of the Rhine in Deutz. Crossing the Deutzer Bridge, it follows the Rhine to Rodenkirchen, then passes through Südstadt, Sülz, Lindenthal, Ehrenfeld, and Nippes, loops around Rudolfplatz three times, and finishes via Hohe Straße past the Cathedral. The race takes place on Sunday, 4 October 2026. Here you’ll find the course kilometre by kilometre, the best spots to cheer, road closures, and an idea for turning your run into a wall poster.
The Cologne Marathon Route at a Glance
During the race, you’ll only see parts of the course. From above, the shape is clear: first a detour along the Rhine to the south, then a large loop through the left-bank districts with a trip to Nippes, ending with the finale in the Old Town.
- Date: Sunday, 4 October 2026
- Start: in Deutz at Ottoplatz, right next to Deutz train station on the right bank of the Rhine
- Finish: on Komödienstraße, with the Cathedral in sight, after entering via Hohe Straße
- Distance and Profile: 42.195 kilometres on a measured, flat course
- Refreshments: eleven aid stations, six for the half marathon
- Timing: timing mats approximately every five kilometres
- Time Limit: six hours net for the marathon, 2:45 hours for the half marathon
- Half Marathon: also starts in Deutz, then through Sülz, Lindenthal, Ehrenfeld, and the city centre to the Cathedral
- Relay Marathon: runs on the marathon course, with three exchange zones for four runners
The kilometre markers below are from the organiser’s course description, and the street names are from the city of Cologne’s route. You can find the course map, elevation profile, and GPX file on the organiser’s website. Last-minute changes are possible for city runs, so check the organiser’s race info again before the start.
The Cologne Marathon Route Section by Section
Deutz and Deutzer Bridge (km 0 to 2)
The race begins at Ottoplatz, heading along Mindener Straße. After about one kilometre comes one of the most beautiful moments of the entire run: the Deutzer Bridge, with views of the Cathedral and Old Town. This is where the classic mistake happens: legs are fresh, the panorama is stunning, and you end up running faster than planned.
Along the Rhine to Rodenkirchen (km 2 to 7)
After the bridge, you run along the Rhineauhafen, passing the Chocolate Museum, the German Sport & Olympia Museum, and the Kranhäuser. Then you follow the riverside roads south. At kilometre 5, you pass the Bismarck Column in Bayenthal, and at kilometre 7, you reach Rodenkirchen. After a small loop via Hauptstraße and Maternusstraße, the course takes you back along the river towards the city centre.
Südstadt and First Rudolfplatz (km 7 to 14.5)
Via Bayenthalgürtel and Alteburger Straße, you return to Südstadt. At kilometre 12, you pass the Severinstorbogen and run along Severinstraße, right through the Severinsviertel. Then you skirt the Neumarkt for the first time and head along Hahnenstraße to Rudolfplatz, which you reach at kilometre 14.5.
Sülz, Lindenthal, and Friesenplatz (km 14.5 to 24)
Now it’s into the residential districts to the west. At kilometre 18.5, you’re in Sülz on Sülzburgstraße, and at kilometre 21, you’re in Lindenthal on Dürener Straße—roughly halfway. At kilometre 22.5, the course passes Melaten Cemetery and Aachener Weiher. At kilometre 24, you pass Rudolfplatz for the second time and run along Hohenzollernring to Friesenplatz, which the organiser calls the heart of the race.
Ehrenfeld and Nippes (km 24 to 34)
At kilometre 27, you run through Ehrenfeld along Venloer Straße, with the mosque and TV tower in sight. Via Innere Kanalstraße, Hansaring, and Ebertplatz, you head north, reaching Nippes on Neusser Straße at kilometre 34. This is where the marathon gets tough for most runners, and every cheer from the sidelines counts double.
Via the Ringe to the Finish (km 34 to 42.195)
From Nippes, the course follows largely the same streets back to Ebertplatz, then south along the Ringe: Hansaring, Kaiser-Wilhelm-Ring, Hohenzollernring. At kilometre 40, you reach Rudolfplatz for the third time, and at kilometre 40.5, Neumarkt. Then it’s along Hohe Straße past the Cathedral and onto Komödienstraße to the finish.
Hotspots and Tips for Spectators
The Best Spots to Cheer
If you want to cheer someone on, head to Rudolfplatz. The marathon passes here three times—at kilometres 14.5, 24, and 40—so you’ll see your runner multiple times without rushing across the city. A little further along the Ring is Friesenplatz, where it gets especially crowded.
Other spots with double the chance come from the route itself: along the Rhine in Bayenthal and between Ebertplatz and Nippes, runners go back and forth on the same streets. If you prefer to cheer in the heart of a district, pick a spot in Sülz, Lindenthal, or Nippes.
Road Closures and Travel on Marathon Sunday
The entire route will be gradually closed to traffic on race day, and you won’t be able to cross it by car. In the start area in Deutz, closures begin on Saturday evening, while around the finish in the city centre, some roads may be closed from Thursday, 1 October, due to setup. According to the city, the left-bank Cologne remains accessible via Severinsbrücke and Zoobrücke.
The city recommends spectators use buses and trains. Still, expect some lines to be diverted or running differently on Sunday. You can find all closed roads with times on the City of Cologne’s Köln Marathon page.
- Arrange a meeting point in advance: The area around the Cathedral gets very crowded after the finish. Agree on a fixed spot slightly off the beaten path instead of searching for each other by phone.
- Estimate passing times: Roughly calculate when your runner will pass your spot based on their planned pace, and arrive a few minutes early.
Pace and Preparation: Flat Doesn’t Mean Easy
A flat city course can make you underestimate the race. There are no natural brakes, and the atmosphere on the bridge, in Südstadt, and along the Ringe pushes you forward. Runners who start too fast often pay the price on the way to Nippes.
- Stick to your pace plan: Set your target pace in advance and stick to it until the halfway point, even if it feels too slow.
- Plan your hydration: Drink early and regularly, and only use gels you’ve tested during training.
- Plan your travel to Deutz: The start is right at Deutz train station. Travel by train and allow plenty of time—thousands will be on the same route on race day.
- Prepare your running watch: Charge the battery, let it find the GPS signal before the start, and only begin recording at the starting line.
By the way: Your watch will likely show slightly more than 42.195 kilometres at the finish, as few runners follow the ideal line exactly, and GPS can drift slightly between tall buildings.
After the Finish: Your Cologne Marathon Route as a 3D Poster
From above, your run takes on a shape, and that’s what a 3D Marathon Poster shows: upload your own GPX file, and it creates a 3D relief of the exact route you ran, complete with your personal finish time.
Save Your GPX File Right After the Run
- Open your run recording in your running watch app or running app.
- Export it as a GPX file—this option is usually found directly in the activity details.
- Save the file in a secure location, such as your cloud storage.
- Note your finish time so you have everything ready later.
There are no pre-made city versions—each poster is based on your own upload. For the Cologne course, the line shape is especially striking: the detour along the Rhine to Rodenkirchen, the arc through Sülz and Lindenthal, and the loop to Ehrenfeld and Nippes. As a raised 3D relief, this exact shape stands out from the background.
Editorial, Mono, or Classic?
There are three designs, each available in A4 for €55 and A3 for €85:
- Editorial Marathon Poster: light poster with a black route relief, orange number field, and a data line for date, distance, time, and name. The image above shows this design using Berlin as an example.
- Mono Marathon Poster: minimalist and graphic. In one shop example, the black route line sits on a grey city map.
- Classic Marathon Poster: the third design, with examples shown on the product page.
A4 fits well on a shelf or in a hallway, while A3 looks great above a desk or next to your medal.
Finisher Gift for Christmas: How to Pull Off the Surprise
Is your partner, sibling, or colleague running on Sunday? Then you have a Christmas gift that doesn’t feel like an obligation. There are about eleven weeks between the race and Christmas—plenty of time for quiet preparation.
Get the GPX File Discreetly
For the poster, you’ll need the run recording. After the race, ask them to send you the route as a GPX file, perhaps for a photo book of race day, or have someone from their running group request it. The finish time is listed in the race results.
Ideas to Go with the Poster
- Include the medal: Hang the poster where there’s space for the finisher medal next to it.
- Beautiful packaging: The Premium Gift Packaging with silver foil is available for €9.90.
- Hang without drilling: Use the Klebenagel for €3.99 to hang the frame without drilling and without leaving marks. It’s also available as the Klebenagel L for €9.90.
- Ideas outside our range: a photo book with images from along the route, ordered from Deutz to the Cathedral, or a joint climb up the Cathedral’s south tower for a view over the Rhine to Deutz, once your legs can handle the 533 steps again.
Does your runner also love motorsport? In our room ideas for motorsport fans, you’ll find inspiration on how to combine multiple frames on a wall. And plan some lead time so the poster arrives relaxed under the tree.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Cologne Marathon 2026
When is the Cologne Marathon 2026?
On Sunday, October 4, 2026. The marathon and half-marathon both start on the same day in Deutz.
Where are the start and finish for the Cologne Marathon?
The start is at Ottoplatz, right by Deutz train station, and the finish is on Komödienstraße by the cathedral.
Is the Cologne Marathon course flat?
Yes, the organizer describes the course as flat and fast. The challenge lies more in the pace: if you get carried away on the Deutz Bridge, you’ll pay for it in the second half.
Which roads are closed for the Cologne Marathon?
On race day, the entire route is closed, step by step and for varying lengths depending on the district. In Deutz, closures begin on Saturday evening, and around the finish line, some start as early as Thursday. The left bank of Cologne remains accessible via Severinsbrücke and Zoobrücke.
Where is the best place to watch the Cologne Marathon?
At Rudolfplatz, the marathon passes three times—at km 14.5, 24, and 40. Friesenplatz, a little further on, is especially crowded. If you prefer to cheer in a local neighborhood, head to Sülz, Lindenthal, or Nippes along the route.
Conclusion: run first, then admire from above
The Cologne Marathon course is flat, varied, and full of people: Deutz Bridge, the Rhine, Südstadt, three passes at Rudolfplatz, and the cathedral at the end. Run your pace, enjoy the neighborhoods, and save your GPX file after finishing. If you’re in the mood for a wall memory afterward, you’ll find all designs in the 3D Marathon Poster collection. Good luck on Sunday.
