There are marathons in many cities – but the one in Cologne is unique: a mixture of top and mass sports event, carnival, folk and running festival! The whole city is vivd and cheers on the athletes on the course! There is a party atmosphere everywhere at the Generali Cologne Marathon – on and along the course! The atmosphere is unrivalled!

Course

flat & fast

Start

Deutz

Finish

Cologne Cathedral

Best refreshments

Yummy!

Marathon

Germany’s #4

Entry fees

entry slot 1 – 1,000
Fully booked
entry slot 1,001 – 3,000
€110.00
entry slot 3,001 – 10,000
€125.00

Race information

Organiser of the Generali Cologne Marathon will be the Köln Marathon Veranstaltungs- und Werbe GmbH.

 

Competition rules

The Generali Cologne Marathon will be organised according to Deutscher Leichtathletik-Verband (DLV) e. V.’s international competitions rules and International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) regulations under the supervision of the DLV. These guidelines are obligational for runners with and without German Athletics Federation (DLV)’s pass.

The compliance with these rules will be checked and recorded by the referees.

The age classes will be as follows: 18-19 years, 20-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80 years and older. Most relevant for this categorisation is your date of birth.

There will be a separate scoring for each gender, relevant will be the net time.

 

Special scorings

  • age categories M/F  (see above)
  • teams M/F: the 3 best participants of a team
  • city championship (Stadtmeisterschaft) M/F: official residence in Cologne (ZIP code/post code 50400 – 51300) – ID proof needed for award ceremony!
  • association’s regional Southeast marathon championships (LVN-Regio Südost Marathon Meisterschaft): single and team scoring
  • student cup (Studi-Werk Cup) M/F: for matriculated students at Cologne-based universities

Participation

For the participation in the half marathon you have at least be 18 years of age on race day (birthday in 2007 and older). Relevant is the year of birth, not the birthday.

The participant limit will be 10,000.

A registration is only possible via this official website.

 

Health

We recommend an adequate sports medical examination to all participants prior to the participation. As an indication please check the Sports Health Check (SGC) by the German Sports University Cologne on the registration page.

 

Data process agreement

We store and process the person-related data from your registration for the conduct and realisation of the event, particularly the data necessary for payment (via the raceresult AG) and communications.

Without the following consent a participation in our event is NOT possible: You explicitly agree to the publication of your last name, first name, sex, year of birth, age category, club, bib number and result (position and times) in all race-related media such as online media (e. g. web site, app, live stream, social media), print media and TV.

Registrations will only be possible via this website – prior to 5:30 p. m. on the day before race day as long as the participant limit will not have been reached yet.

After the successful registration you will receive an email confirmation and the entry fee will be charged.

We recommend to also book a Generali entry fee insurance to get your entry fee reimbursed in case of damage.

Registering another person on your bib number or handing over the bib number to another person is not possible and will lead to direct disqualification.

Those who learn a lot need to keep a level head! And to keep this, as is well-known, you have to do sports and go running. Therefore, we would like to award running students in Cologne and will again introduce the Cologne student cup (‘Kölner Studi-Werk Cup’ in German 🇩🇪) in cooperation with the Kölner Studierendenwerk for the marathon and half marathon like year before.

When you are currently matriculated at a Cologne-based university you may register online prior to September 15, 2025 for cheaper rates (after the first entry fee contingency 10% off the entry fee). Note: This scoring is not available for elite runners.

And we will have fancy prices for the fastest Cologne would-be graduates:

  • #1: travel voucher by E&P-Reisen
  • #2: € 250.00 contribution to the semester fee, sponsored by Generali Cologne Marathon
  • #3: € 150.00 contribution to canteen meals, sponsored by Kölner Studierendenwerk

NEW: The award ceremony will directly take place on stage in the finish after the race for the first time. Please bring your valid student ID to race. We will check it before the award ceremony.

Note: Should you already be registered for the race we still may enroll you for the special Cologne student scoring. A reimbursement will however not be possible.

We are going to compile all relevant information for race day in the race information (PDF file) asap for you. Please read thoroughly!

Note: Pick-up of race kits: on Friday and Saturday at the Running.EXPO in der MOTORWORLD Köln only

Getting there with public transportation: We recommend to get there with bus and train – alternatively navigate by car via Waze

Own beverages: Hand-in on October 4 for marathoners from 9:30 to 10:15 a. m. in the starting area (Auenweg)

Race packets

In order to be able to participate you will have to pick up your race packets including the bib number in person at the Running.EXPO. This expo will take place in MOTORWORLD Cologne and be opened on Friday, October 4, from 10:00 a. m. to 8:00 p. m. and on Saturday, October 5, 2024, from 9:00 a. m. to 6:00 p. m.

 

Chronometry

The time of your relay team will be measured with a transponder attached to the bib number by race result.

A participation and chronometry is exclusively possible with this special transponder.

Please fasten your team bib number with the number belt and wear it on the hips. And pin the back numbers on the backs.

Please do NOT use magnetic pins or the like for fixing the bib number. They can have a negative impact on chronometry and the detection of your times.

Make sure that you overrun all chronometry mats normally every 5 k along the course. Lacking interval times may cause in disqualification.

 

Ranking

The first 10 women and men will be ranked by gross time and will be marked by * in the result list. All other runners will be added by net time.

Please note that, due to a strict timeframe and municipal provisions, you will have to complete the competition within a time of 6:00 hours net. The course has to be opened for public transportation then. Should you exceed this time limit you will be addressed accordingly by the marshals and the broom wagon driver. You have to leave the course then and can be brought to the finish area by the broom wagon or public transportation

Start

The start will be located on Opladener Straße next to Ottoplatz/Bahnhof Deutz.

 

Starting blocks

The starting blocks will be kicked off approximately every 5 minutes. The first runner of your team will have to pin the team bib number visible with the belt and the back number on the reverse of the shirt. No start without any bib number!

 

Starting times (may be subject to change)

10:30 a. m. marathon including relay teams and school marathon

The order of the starting blocks will be RED – BLUE and YELLOW.

 

IMPORTANT!

If you will feel ill on race day should stay at home. You will not only risk an infection of other participants, but also your own health. No wrong ambition please!

Finish area

The finish area will be located on Komödienstraße next to the city’s landmark, Cologne Cathedral. After the finish crossing you will pass the refreshment village and check out from the closed area to pick up your kit bags.

This will be the time when you could meet with your fans again.

 

Awards

Directly after crossing the finish line within the given time limit you will obtain your finisher medal. The award ceremony of the overall winners will take place after the finish. Winners of the age categories and special scorings will be awarded after the race via mail.

You can have a look onto a first, unofficial preliminary certificate with a click on your name in the result list. Your official certificate with the final time and positioning will be available approximately one week after the race (after the period for objection) at the same place.

Note: Within this period positionings may change.

There are two options available to you this year: re-registration to another person and entry fee insurance.

Re-registration

For the first time, we are offering the option of transferring a starting slot to another person.

Additional services already booked will be taken over by the purchaser. Optional details such as the expected finish time, shirt size, etc. will be reset and can be adjusted by the buyer until August 31 via the change link.

The re-registration fee is € 25.00 and will be deducted from your account by direct debit.

Note for free starting slot holders: People with a voucher code for a free starting slot cannot pass on their bib number.

Note for students: The bib number can only be passed on to other Cologne students. University fields are mandatory.

IMPORTANT: This process is irrevocable and cannot be cancelled.

 

Entry fee insurance

In the event that you are unable to start your entry fee is insured. The insurance covers illness, accident, unemployment, short-time working, pregnancy or significant damage to property. Additional services booked are not included.

The amount of the insurance fee depends on the amount of the entry fee.

IMPORTANT: A refund in the event of a claim can only be made to an IBAN account.

When you book the insurance you cannot deregister.

Service package

  • closed-off, officially measured and AIMS-approved course
  • professional timekeeping: bib number with transponder
  • high-quality, sustainable start bag
  • sustainable medal
  • 11 refreshment stations along the course
  • event points and party atmosphere along the course
  • moderation iat the start and finish as well as along the course
  • year-round participant support
  • year-round communication and information
  • data access and control via change link

Optionally

  • photo flat including video
  • despatch of race kit within Germany and BeNeLux
  • merchandise: shirt, jacket, shoes etc.
  • entry fee insurance
  • preferred bib number

All-time best

Platz Name Land Zeit
#1 Helena Kirop KEN 02:25:34
#2 Angelina Kanana KEN 02:27:27
#3 Shetaye Bedaso ETH 02:27:29
#4 Luminita Zaituc GER 02:28:24
#5 Janet Rono KEN 02:28:36
#6 Malgozata Sobanska POL 02:28:42
#7 Makda Harun KEN 02:29:03
#8 Sabrina Mockenhaupt GER 02:29:33
#9 Robe Tola Guta ETH 02:29:36
#10 Malgozata Sobanska POL 02:29:39

All-time best

Platz Name Land Zeit
#1 Alfred Kering KEN 02:07:37
#2 Limenih Getachew ETH 02:07:39
#3 Duncan Koech KEN 02:07:53
#4 Laban Mutai KEN 02:08:01
#5 Evans Kipkogei Ruto KEN 02:08:36
#6 Samson Bungei KEN 02:08:36
#7 Raymond Kipchumba Choge KEN 02:08:39
#8 Samson Kipron Barmao KEN 02:08:56
#9 Adam Khamis KEN 02:09:09
#10 Victor Lagat KEN 02:09:13

All-time best

Platz Name Land Zeit
#1 Ira Korsten GER 02:44:59
#2 Maike Schön GER 02:47:51
#3 Maike Schön GER 02:48:34
#4 Ira Korsten GER 02:50:50
#5 Stefanie Soeder GER 02:50:56
#6 Anja Lamberty GER 02:53:21
#7 Ira Korsten GER 02:55:03
#8 Marlies Meyer GER 02:56:20
#9 Ute Wichelmann GER 02:56:25
#10 Sigrid Bühler GER 02:56:38

All-time best

Platz Name Land Zeit
#1 Philippe Gillen GER 02:26:12
#2 Carsten von Kuk GER 02:27:13
#3 Carsten von Kuk GER 02:27:21
#4 Philippe Gillen GER 02:28:42
#5 Carsten von Kuk GER 02:29:57
#6 Carsten von Kuk GER 02:31:08
#7 Rana Martin Bhattacharjee GER 02:31:20
#8 Axel Lüder GER 02:31:42
#9 Carsten von Kuk GER 02:31:49
#10 Fabian Rahn GER 02:33:41

All-time best

Platz Name Land Zeit
#1 DLDC Aachen GER 08:49:21
#2 SV Saar 05 Saarbrücken GER 09:31:56
#3 LAZ Puma Troisdorf/Siegburg GER 09:38:00
#4 LTF Marpingen GER 09:38:31
#5 LA TuS Mayen GER 09:57:12
#6 Germania 07 Dürwiss GER 09:58:54
#7 LG Braunschweig GER 09:59:12
#8 TV Refrath GER 10:00:34
#9 SG Stern Sindelfingen GER 10:02:58
#10 DJK Laufwölfe Fürsteneck GER 10:03:44

All-time best

Platz Name Land Zeit
#1 DJK A. Würselen GER 07:33:17
#2 LG Bonn/Troisdorf GER 07:34:50
#3 LA Team Dorsten GER 07:36:07
#4 TSV Adelberg GER 07:42:30
#5 LT DSHS Köln GER 07:45:41
#6 LAZ Puma Rhein-Sieg 1 GER 07:53:55
#7 VMOL GER 07:58:14
#8 MPM GER 08:00:03
#9 US Maubeuge GER 08:02:48
#10 UAC GER 08:07:49

All-time best

Platz Name Land Zeit
#1 Maike Schön GER 02:47:51
#2 Stephanie Strate GER 02:58:13
#3 Claudia Maria Henneken GER 03:01:04
#4 Vanessa Ohm GER 03:15:00
#5 Claudia Maria Henneken GER 03:21:07

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Platz Name Land Zeit
#1 Hendrik Pfeiffer GER 02:13:39
#2 Philippe Gillen GER 02:26:14
#3 Lukas Bauer GER 02:41:55
#4 Dennis Baus GER 02:46:56
#5 Leon Kriszeleit GER 02:50:08