Start at Olympiapark, turn at Sendlinger Tor, finish at Olympiasee: The Munich Marathon route covers 42.195 kilometers in a single large loop through the Old Town, around the English Garden, across the Isar into Werksviertel, and back north via Isartor and Siegestor. The race takes place on Sunday, October 11, 2026. Below, you’ll find the course broken down by kilometer markers, all refreshment points, and great spots to cheer. Finally, discover what can be created from your route recording.
The Munich Marathon Route 2026: Date, Start, Finish, Refreshments
- Date: Sunday, October 11, 2026
- Start: Spiridon-Louis-Ring in Olympiapark
- Finish: Willi-Daume-Platz at Olympiasee (no longer in Olympiastadion)
- Distance: 42.195 kilometers in a single loop
- Refreshments: 13 stations according to route info, six with water only
- Profile: A city course with gentle undulations; per the organizer’s elevation profile, the lowest point is in the English Garden (Osterwaldstraße, 508 m), while the highest points (around 540 m) are east of the Isar between Bogenhausen and Werksviertel, followed by a descent past Gasteig to the Isar
- Other races: Half marathon, 10K run, and marathon relay on the same Sunday; Kids Run on Saturday
Since 2025, Sendlinger Tor and Werksviertel have been part of the course, while Marienplatz, Odeonsplatz, Siegestor, and the English Garden remain.
The kilometer markers below are from the organizer’s route info. Last-minute changes are possible; your start documents are definitive.
The Munich Marathon Route in Five Sections
Olympiapark to Sendlinger Tor: The Path into the Old Town
From Spiridon-Louis-Ring, the route goes via Elisabethstraße to Schwabing and onto Leopoldstraße. Through Siegestor and over Odeonsplatz, you enter the Old Town, passing Marienplatz and heading down Sendlinger Straße. The course turns at Sendlinger Tor.
The turn is a small speed trap: Run the curve wide instead of braking sharply on the inside.
Rindermarkt, Town Hall, and Ludwigstraße (up to km 10)
After the turn, the route goes via Rindermarkt and Dienerstraße, passing the Town Hall, back north. Around kilometer 10, you reach Professor-Huber-Platz on Ludwigstraße, where the first relay exchange takes place.
English Garden and Isar to Halfway (km 10 to 21)
Beyond Siegestor, turn right onto Martiusstraße and head straight to the English Garden. The course loops around it before crossing Tivolistraße and Max-Joseph-Brücke to the other side of the Isar. At Tivolistraße (km 21), the second relay exchange is located—right at the halfway point.
Bogenhausen, Berg am Laim, and Werksviertel (km 21 to 31)
On the other side, the route climbs from the Isar bank to Bogenhausen, continuing via Montgelasstraße and Oberföhringer Straße. A wide loop through Cosimastraße, Weltenburger, Trudinger, and Neumarkter Straße leads toward Berg am Laim, with the final relay exchange at Ampfingstraße (km 31). Just beyond lies Werksviertel near Ostbahnhof, where the organizer promises live music and cheering zones.
Ludwigsbrücke, Isartor, Siegestor, and Finish at Olympiasee (km 31 to Finish)
From the elevated Haidhausen, the route descends to the Isar and crosses Ludwigsbrücke to Isartor. The slope at Ludwigsbrücke is called Gasteig for a reason—the name derives from an old word for a steep incline. In the running direction, it’s downhill, but after 30+ kilometers, it still strains the thighs.
Afterward, you run through the city center one last time, via Ludwig- and Leopoldstraße northward. Franz-Joseph-Straße leads you into the final sprint back to Olympiapark, where you finish at Willi-Daume-Platz by Olympiasee.
Spectating at the Munich Marathon: Best Spots Along the Route
The course uses some streets multiple times, which is an advantage for fans. The axis of Leopoldstraße, Siegestor, and Ludwigstraße is part of the route three times: on the way into the Old Town, after the turn around km 10, and on the final kilometers toward Olympiapark. Position yourself here to see your runner up to three times without crossing the city.
Around Marienplatz and Sendlinger Straße, the field passes shortly before and after the turn in quick succession. Werksviertel after km 31 is the place for those who want to create an energetic atmosphere.
- Arriving by subway: Expect road closures and traffic disruptions in the city. Start and finish are accessible via U3 to Olympiazentrum station.
- Calculating split times: Planned pace × kilometers = time. Aiming for 6 minutes per km? Reach Professor-Huber-Platz in about an hour, Tivolistraße in just over two, and Werksviertel in just over three.
- Use live tracking: With the organizer’s app, you can follow your runner live on the course.
For an overview of the date, travel, and side events, see the City of Munich’s marathon page.
Pace and Preparation for the Final Days
Three key points define the Munich loop: the start in a dense field, the halfway point at the Isar, and the undulating east section up to Werksviertel.
- Checkpoint Tivolistraße: At km 21, check your split time. If you’re well ahead of plan, ease up—right after the Isar, the route climbs to Bogenhausen, and it stays undulating until after Werksviertel.
- Use pacemakers: The organizer provides pacemakers for target times from 3:00 to 5:00 hours in 15-minute increments. Stick with the group that matches your plan instead of chasing a fast pack at the start.
- Plan the finale: For the 10K run (starting in Werksviertel and ending in Olympiapark), the organizer notes a net descent of 21 meters. From Werksviertel onward, it’s downhill for you too, though the route rises slightly again between Isartor and Siegestor per the elevation profile.
- Know the refreshments: Water is available at km 6, 8.5, 16.5, 24, 28.5, and 35; drinks and snacks at 10.5, 13, 20, 26.5, 31.5, 37, and 39.5. Use gels your stomach knows from training.
- Pick up your bib early: Collect it on Friday or Saturday at Olympiahalle; on Sunday morning, only in urgent cases per the organizer.
Your Munich Loop as a 3D Poster
During the race, you experience Munich in stages, from Sendlinger Tor to Werksviertel. Only your watch knows how it all connects, and from its recording, a 3D Marathon Poster is created: Upload your GPX file, and your Munich loop is printed as a 3D relief, complete with your personal finish time.
The shape of the Munich loop is unmistakable: the narrow detour south to Sendlinger Tor, the loop around the English Garden, the excursion across the Isar to Bogenhausen and Werksviertel, and finally the return via Isartor and Ludwigstraße north to Olympiasee. As a raised relief, this line gains plastic depth.
There’s no pre-made Munich Marathon poster in stock—not for this or any other city. Without your file, there’s no line. Export your activity as GPX from your watch app on Sunday evening and save it where you’ll find it in December.
Mono or Editorial: Which Style Matches Your Run?
- Editorial Marathon Poster: Black relief with a data line featuring October 11 and your time from Olympiasee.
- Mono Marathon Poster: No color accents, a black line on a gray city map with district names, data at the top, title at the bottom. Ideal if the route through the districts matters to you, from Schwabing to Berg am Laim.
Both cost €55 in A4 (21 × 30 cm) and €85 in A3 (30 × 40 cm), as does the third design, the Classic Marathon Poster. A4 fits on a dresser or bookshelf; choose A3 if your loop should take center stage on the wall.
Medal, Bib, and Poster: Your Memory Wall
Medal, bib, and poster together tell the full story: the number you started with, the medal you earned at the finish at Olympiasee, and the line you ran in between.
- Poster in the center: Hang it at eye level and leave space beside it for the medal on a simple hook.
- Add your bib: Per the organizer, you may keep it after the race. A simple picture frame in the same size keeps it flat and matches the poster visually.
- Hang without drilling: The Klebenagel for €3.99 holds the frame without holes and removes cleanly later. We also offer the Klebenagel L for €9.90.
In the example image of the Editorial Poster above, the data line reads 42.746 km. You’ll recognize such values from your watch, as the measured ideal line is rarely run exactly in the field. If you take a wide turn at Sendlinger Tor, you’ll collect a few extra meters. For your memory, your own number is just right.
How to combine frames of different sizes on a wall is shown in our interior design ideas for motorsport fans; on your wall, the medal takes second place.
Gift for Munich Finishers: Poster Plus City Experience
If someone in your circle runs the Munich loop on October 11, ask for their GPX file after the race; you’ll find the time in the results. Pair it with a city experience: a winter walk through Olympiapark to Willi-Daume-Platz, where the finish line was in October, or an evening in Werksviertel, where the cheering zone was at kilometer 31.
The Premium Gift Packaging with silver foil (€9.90) ensures the poster arrives ready-packaged. Each poster is made to order after upload, so order with some time before Christmas Eve.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Munich Marathon 2026
When is the Munich Marathon 2026?
On Sunday, October 11, 2026. Expect road closures and traffic disruptions in the city area on this day.
Are there pacemakers at the Munich Marathon?
Yes, according to the organizer, for target times from 3:00 to 5:00 hours in 15-minute increments (3:00, 3:15, 3:30, etc.). Choose the group based on your realistic plan, not your desired time.
Is the Munich Marathon course flat?
Mostly yes: According to the organizer’s elevation profile, the difference between the lowest and highest points is less than 40 meters. However, after crossing the Isar at Tivolistraße, the course climbs to Bogenhausen, and remains undulating until after Werksviertel. Then you run downhill past Gasteig to Ludwigsbrücke.
Where are the water and refreshment stations at the Munich Marathon?
According to the course info, at 13 locations. Only water is available at km 6, 8.5, 16.5, 24, 28.5, and 35. Drinks and snacks are at km 10.5, 13, 20, 26.5, 31.5, 37, and 39.5. The longest gap is 4 km between km 20 and 24.
Can I get my Munich Marathon as a poster?
Yes, as a 3D marathon poster from your own GPX file. It shows the exact route you ran, with your finish time. There is no pre-made Munich version available from stock.
Conclusion: From Olympiapark to Olympiasee
The Munich Marathon course captures what defines the city in one loop: Siegestor and Marienplatz, the turn at Sendlinger Tor, the English Garden, the Isar, and Werksviertel. Save energy for the undulating east section up to Werksviertel, enjoy the crowd on Ludwigstraße, and export your recording in the evening. See what it can become on your wall in the 3D Marathon Poster collection.
