Marathon races near Bad Honnef

The Marathon de Cologne takes place in early October in Cologne, Germany, offering a full marathon, half marathon, relay marathon, and a school marathon. The main marathon is a 42.195 km road race on mostly asphalt. The shorter and team formats attract runners seeking the city's atmosphere without the full distance. It ranks among Germany’s larger marathon events, with the day emphasizing crowd energy and local cheers as much as fast racing. The marathon begins at Ottoplatz in Deutz, crossing the Deutzer Bridge toward Cologne Cathedral. The course is a flat single loop through the historic center and adjacent districts, featuring wide streets, no sustained climbs, and minor elevation changes of approximately 42 to 53 meters above sea level. Participants will pass the Rhine promenade, the Sport and Olympia Museum, the Kranhäuser, the Bismarck Column, Severinstraße, Sülz, Dürener Straße, Aachener Weiher, Ehrenfeld, Neusser Straße in Nippes, and Rudolfplatz multiple times. Neumarkt provides a significant crowd late in the race, and the consistent course profile appeals to runners aiming for controlled pacing or a quick finish.

The Welterbe-Trail und Rhein-Mosel-Marathon is a running event held in Winningen, Germany, offering races from 5 km to 60 km. Scheduled for an October weekend, it provides participants with options ranging from short trail runs to a lengthy endurance race. The main event is the 60 km Rhein-Mosel-Marathon, with additional routes of 30 km, 20 km, 11 km, and 5 km. The name reflects the Rhine-Moselle region and the Welterbe-Trail, indicating the event is designed for runners seeking distances beyond a typical road race selection.

The Karneval Marathon Köln is a small fun-run marathon in northwest Cologne, centered on two local passions: running the marathon distance and observing Carnival. It takes place at the beginning of Cologne’s Carnival period, and the field is limited to 50 runners, with a waiting list available. The race is explicitly non-commercial, with organizers stating the aim is enjoyment over a refined big-city race format. The course follows a repeating loop around Pescher See on Pescher Straße, requiring runners to complete the circuit 15 times to achieve the marathon distance. Costumes are highly encouraged, meaning the participants are more likely to be costumed Carnival enthusiasts than typical serious road racers. Event planning commenced in 2016, and its limited size, lake loop, Carnival timing, and costume tradition give it the feel of a private running gathering rather than a standard marathon.

The Karneval-Marathon Köln-Pesch is a small marathon in Cologne’s Pesch district, centered on the opening of Cologne Carnival, not a large city race weekend. It merges the full marathon distance with the atmosphere of the city’s “fifth season.” The field is limited to 50 runners, with a waiting list if more wish to participate. The organizers emphasize that it is not a commercial event and that enjoyment is the primary goal. The course is officially measured by the German Athletics Federation under International Competition Rules TR 55.3, meaning results can count for records and ranking lists despite the informal setting. Costumes are highly encouraged, though participants can run without one. The concept originated from planning that began in 2016, combining marathon running and Cologne Carnival for a unique carnival session opening. Expect local running enthusiasts and costumed revelers rather than a large crowd or elite field.

Each spring, the Königsforst-Marathon takes participants into the Königsforst, a wooded area near Bergisch Gladbach, close to Cologne. Established in 1973, it ranks among Germany's long-standing marathon events. The race is a public road race offering three distances: a half marathon, a full marathon, and a 63.3 km ultra. The course follows a simple lap system: one lap for the half marathon, two for the marathon, and three for the ultra. The half marathon alone involves a 207-meter elevation gain, indicating it's more than just a flat run through a park. TV Refrath's running team organizes the event, guided by the motto “RUN GREEN RUN HAPPY,” and characterizes it as a runner-organized race. The half marathon attracts the largest number of participants, while the marathon and ultra distances add a demanding endurance element to the day.