Marathon races near Heikendorf

The Kieler Förde Marathon begins at the Kiel-Schilksee Olympic Center, with participants taking a ferry across the fjord to the starting point in Laboe. This guided full marathon takes place on a Saturday in September. The 42.195 km course leads back along the Baltic coast to Kiel-Schilksee. It is designed for hobby runners seeking a challenging event, distinct from a typical city marathon. The course traces the Kiel Fjord, offering expansive views of the Baltic Sea, Kiel, and the harbor. Runners will encounter a mix of surfaces, including paved roads, hiking trails, forest paths, and a 300-meter section of beach. The marathon features five pace groups, each supported by cyclists or pacemakers, fostering a communal coastal run atmosphere rather than a focus on individual times. The ferry journey is a key tradition; from the water, participants can view the entire course ahead before the running begins. Lauftreffverein Kiel-Ost organizes the marathon, with the organizers encapsulating its essence by stating, “Being there is everything.”