Kölnturm Treppenlauf 2026

The Kölnturm Treppenlauf is a stair race held within the Kölnturm in Cologne's MediaPark, the city's tallest office building. Instead of streets or a park, participants ascend directly: 40 floors, 732 steps, covering approximately 135 meters vertically to finish high above the city. Starts are staggered by a few seconds to prevent congestion on the stairs. Individuals or two-person teams can compete, welcoming both novice and experienced runners. The course is brief in distance but demanding in exertion, with its draw stemming from the straightforward challenge of ascending a tower. A firefighter category provides a unique element: teams can compete in full protective gear, with or without self-contained breathing apparatus, and this category is also open to other apparatus users. After completion, runners descend via elevator. Organizers note the climb is difficult yet achievable, and in a past edition, 99% of participants finished.