22. BKK Walking am Baldeneysee mit Mini-Marathon

BKK Walking at Baldeneysee is part of the Westenergie Marathon – Rund um den Baldeneysee weekend in Essen, Germany. The main marathon is a 42.195-kilometer race around Baldeneysee, held annually on the second Sunday in October. The Walking-Day for walkers and Nordic walkers takes place the day before. The walking program, which began in 2003, offers routes up to 14 kilometers, ensuring the weekend appeals to more than just marathon runners. The marathon has been held continuously since 1963, making it Germany’s oldest such event. The current course circles Baldeneysee twice, with an additional turnaround loop on the first lap. Its flat profile, early autumn weather, and lakeside cycle paths contribute to its fast nature. TUSEM Essen’s athletics department organizes the event, with volunteers managing the entire operation—a rarity for a German race of this scale. Entry is limited to 3,000 participants due to narrow sections of the course where faster runners might overtake slower ones.