Generali Köln Marathon

The Generali Köln Marathon guides participants through Cologne, with the cathedral serving as the finish line. The full marathon begins on Ottoplatz in Deutz. Alternatively, a four-person team can complete the 42.195-kilometer distance in four segments for the relay race. Approximately 25,000 runners participate in the marathon annually. The course is officially measured and AIMS-approved, suitable for runners aiming for a personal best and those enjoying the event as a city-wide running festival. The route crosses the Deutzer Brücke early, offering views of Cologne Cathedral and the historic old town. It then proceeds past the Kranhäuser towards Bayenthal and Rodenkirchen before looping back through Hohenzollernring, Rudolfplatz, and the city center. The relay course is flat and quick, with segments in Rodenkirchen, Lindenthal, Ehrenfeld, and Nippes. It includes 11 aid stations and transponder timing. Spectators line sections of the course, particularly Hohe Straße near the finish. Many participants wear costumes, contributing to a festive atmosphere that resembles Cologne's carnival alongside the road race.