Jena · Germany
5K races near Jena
16 races in 2026
next one in 3 days
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Race calendar
Upcoming 5K races near Jena
This week 1
4JUL
Run · road · 5K
10. Hochkippenlauf
Profen · 49 km away
JUL 1
26JUL
Run · road · 5K
Rheingauer Halbmarathon
Oesterbehringen · 75 km away
AUG 6
2AUG
Run · road · 5K
Lieskauer Volkslauf
Lieskau · 67 km away
29AUG
Run · road · 5K
Triptiser Stadtwaldlauf
Triptis · 29 km away
29AUG
Run · road · 5K
SportScheck RUN Erfurt
Erfurt · 39 km away
+11 more 5K racesShow fewer ↓
29AUG
Run · road · 5K
Erfurter Nachtlauf
Erfurt · 40 km away
29AUG
Run · road · 5K
Sandhasenlauf
Martinroda · 54 km away
29AUG
Run · road · 5K
32. Zeitzer Stadtlauf im Schlosspark - Landescup 12
Zeitz · 41 km away
SEP 8
9SEP
Run · road · 5K
Frauenlauf Jena
Jena
12SEP
Run · road · 5K
50. Holzlandlauf
Hermsdorf · 19 km away
13SEP
Run · road · 5K
Othaler-Gutshof Lauf
Allstedt · 55 km away
19SEP
Run · road · 5K
Center Run Großpösna Park
Großpösna · 74 km away
26SEP
Run · trail · 5K
4. Pöhl Trail
Pöhl · 60 km away
26SEP
Run · road · 5K
11. Höhlerfestlauf
Gera · 35 km away
26SEP
Run · road · 5K
Schleizer Wisentalauf
Schleiz · 44 km away
27SEP
Run · road · 5K
Oberholzer Volkssportlauf
Großpösna · 72 km away
Jena · 80 km
16 races mapped
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Recurring 5K races near Jena
Races that repeat — weekly, monthly or yearly
Mitteldeutscher Marathon Halle (Saale)
The Mitteldeutscher Marathon connects Leipzig and Halle (Saale). The marathon and relay begin at Leipzig's Elsterflutbecken near the Festwiese Sportforum, with all races concluding on Halle's market square. This road-running series includes a full marathon, marathon relay, half marathon, 10-kilometer run, 10-kilometer walk, children's and school races, and a 2.7-kilometer Salzwirkerlauf. The event has taken place annually since 2002 and ranks among the larger running events in Central Germany.
The longest race offers a point-to-point course from Leipzig to Halle. Shorter races commence within Halle, keeping the day's focus on the city's market square. The half marathon and the short introductory run are designed as opportunities to explore Halle on foot. The marathon relay divides the full marathon into four segments of approximately 12.1, 11.4, 9.5, and 10.1 kilometers. The program accommodates beginners, recreational runners, club athletes, walkers, children, and performance-oriented runners. Time limits vary from one hour for the Salzwirkerlauf to six hours for the marathon.
Köstritzer Parklauf
Köstritzer Parklauf is a cross-country race held in late October in Bad Köstritz, Germany. It takes place in and around Köstritzer Park, away from the standard track. The event includes short races for children and youth, alongside longer distances for adults and masters, ranging from 500 m up to a 12 km main race.
The park setting defines the event. Runners begin in the park, passing dahlias still in bloom during autumn. The race attracts numerous local and regional clubs, particularly from Thuringia, with participants also coming from Saxony and Bavaria. The main race has hosted strong regional competitors like Sebastian Seyfarth of Gera and Katrin Oelmann of Bürgel. This event marks its 27th edition.
25. Schkölener Stadtparklauf
The Schkölener Stadtparklauf is a local cross-country race in Schkölen, Thuringia, organized by TSV 1885 Schkölen. It features short lap races for children and a 5 km option for older youth and adults, functioning more like a compact club race day than a single mass-start road race.
The course uses laps on and around the Schkölen sports ground, with distances matched to age groups. The youngest runners complete loops of about 0.6 km or 0.8 km, U12 runners have a 1.0 km loop, and older classes repeat a longer lap to reach 5 km.
Leipziger Auewaldlauf
The Leipziger Auewaldlauf begins at the LVB-Sportanlage on Neue Linie in Connewitzer Holz, leading runners into Leipzig’s southern Auewald. This understated November running event offers 20 km, 10 km, 5 km, and 2 km distances, catering to long-distance runners, club racers, casual participants, and children. The race has taken place annually since 1979 and is organized by the running group of SG Leipziger Verkehrsbetriebe.
The 10 km course is a full loop, and the 5 km course is a shorter loop; both are flat. The event is included in the Stadtrangliste Leipzig, providing local runners with an incentive to compete beyond a single performance. Participant numbers typically range from 301 to 500. The event's logistics are straightforward: public transport provides access, registration can be completed online or in person, a refreshment station is located at the finish, and results, photos, and printable certificates are available post-race.
Rothenburger Crosslauf
Rothenburger Crosslauf takes runners over sticks, stones, forest paths, and short climbs near Rothenburg/Oberlausitz in Saxony. The race occurs in November, starting and finishing at the Sportkomplex Friedensstraße, and is organized by Neisse Adventure Race e.V. It is a local cross-country race, not a road run, offering distances of 10 km, 5 km, 2.5 km, and an 800 m children's run. The children's race begins first in the morning, with the longer events starting together shortly after.
The 2.5 km loop includes repeated elevation changes and only brief opportunities to establish a steady rhythm. The course winds through the Rothenburg woods, making footing and effort as important as pace. The event contributes to the open Görlitz City Ranking, attracting local club runners as well as children, school-age participants, and adults opting for distances from the short cross run to the 10 km. Following the races, participants can enjoy a small buffet with fruit, cookies, and cake, aligning with the event's low-key local atmosphere.
33. Nikolauslauf
The Cologne Nikolauslauf is a running event held before Christmas in Germany, centered on St Nicholas Day. Organizers jokingly advise participants to clean their shoes, as Nikolaus is said to be watching. This event is designed for mass participation, not just club members; a recent edition saw over 4,750 runners, and the upcoming event will be the 29th.
The schedule features a Toprun, Kidsrun, and Funrun, catering to competitive runners, children, and those seeking a relaxed, festive run. While a detailed route is not provided, the event's character is evident: it incorporates Santa Claus imagery, a sporty Advent atmosphere, enthusiastic local runners, and a crowd size that establishes the Nikolauslauf as a genuine Cologne running tradition.
Winterlaufserie Ahnatal - 2. Lauf
The second Winterlaufserie Ahnatal race begins and ends at the SVW 06 Ahnatal sports center in Weimar, Hesse. The course uses paved roads and paths around the club grounds. It is one event in SVW 06 Ahnatal’s winter running series, featuring 10 km and 5 km races for the main field and a short 1.1 km run for children. The children’s race starts first, followed by the 10 km and then the 5 km. The morning is structured around several starts, not a single mass race.
This is a local club series with deep roots in North Hesse. The SVW running group initiated it over 40 years ago; the ski department later managed two editions, and the athletics department now organizes it. The Bambini route was introduced so younger children could gain initial race experience without needing to run the adult distances. Entry fees are modest, aligning with the character of a practical winter club race for students, youth runners, women, men, club athletes, and local runners.
Zwickauer Adventslauf
The Zwickauer Adventslauf is a December road race in Zwickau, Germany, centered around the Schwanenteich area near Planitzer Strasse. Established in 2001, it is part of the Westsachsen-Laufcup series. Participants can choose between 10 km and 5 km races, while shorter 1.7 km, 0.9 km, and 0.4 km events are available for children and younger runners.
The race route follows a loop on park paths within the Schwanenteich grounds, giving it the character of a local end-of-year park run rather than a large urban race. SV Vorwärts Zwickau organizes the event, typically drawing a few hundred participants, with previous years seeing over 600 finishers. Its timing in the Advent season lends a local holiday atmosphere; following the race, the club offers participants good wishes for a peaceful year's end and a strong start to the new year.
Apoldaer Silvesterlauf
The Apoldaer Silvesterlauf is a New Year's Eve road race in Apolda, Thuringia, beginning at 10:00 AM. Participants can select a 10 km, 5 km, or 2 km distance. The event also features Nordic Walking, a walking race, a Buggy Rally, and a 400 m Filinchen run for toddlers within the stadium. This local club event accommodates serious runners, families, walkers, and parents with buggies.
The course follows Herressener Strasse, with staggered starts throughout the morning: the 10 km begins first, followed by the 2 km, then the walking and buggy events, and finally the 5 km. The toddler run takes place later in the stadium. The race is organized by a volunteer team from Apoldaer LV, with recent events drawing over 500 participants, not including children in buggies. The 2 km, 5 km, and 10 km races are named after local sponsors. Organizers actively solicit feedback and volunteer assistance to adapt the event for growing numbers.
Looking for something else near Jena?
Other races in the next 90 days
JUL 572 km away
other
Schneekopflauf
JUL 1172 km away
triathlon
Stadtwerke Schüler- u. Jugendtriathlon IfL Hof
JUL 1140 km away
walking
Megamarsch Erfurt
JUL 1172 km away
triathlon
43. GEALAN Triathlon der IfL Hof
JUL 2563 km away
other
Panorama Berglauf Luisenthal
JUL 2652 km away
other
Frankenwaldlauf Oßla
JUL 2662 km away
cycling
27. Vogtland Radmarathon
AUG 243 km away
other
Schleizer Dreieck Jedermann
About 5K races in Jena
Jena Training Notes
Jena hosts 25 5K races in 2026 within 80 km of the city centre — upcoming dates, recurring series, and other races nearby, all in one place.
Locals treat Jena Old Town and Paradies as the easy start, because the 5 km Jena Old Town and Paradies Running Route starts at the market square in front of the Rathaus and stays in the valley. Paradies and Volkspark Oberaue give you flat Z2 along the Saale before the wooded hills pull you up. The city centre sits 10 minutes from forest and a half-dozen hilltops, so intervals turn sharp fast. FC Carl Zeiss Jena, FF USV Jena, Science City Jena, and USV Rugby Jena keep the wider sports scene visible. Horizontale - Rund um Jena and Jenaer Kernberglauf are the anchor races, with Frauenlauf Jena, Lobdeburglauf Jena, and Backyard Ultra filling the calendar.
Riders use the Saale valley for base miles, then point the front wheel at the wooded hills and the Muschelkalkhängen der Ilm-Saale-Platte when they want climbing. The Gravel Club Region Jena sets the tone with gravel, road, running, and hiking, hauptsache draußen. 1. Rad Club Jena e.V. gives the local race crowd a proper club home, training times, reports, and results. JENA - Hufeisen Gravel packs 570 m into 38.8 km, and JENA - Gravel Club Tour nach Hunnemille climbs 670 m over 52.3 km. City cycling uses the Thuringian City Chain route, with the 14 km kick-off ride from Paradiesbahnhof to Gernewitz as the easy anchor event.
Spring and autumn suit Jena best, because the valley stays calm and the hills give runners and riders endless options without making every session a sufferfest. Summer feels warm and sometimes humid, so locals start early, keep Z2 honest in Paradies, and save hard intervals for shaded forest paths above town. The city centre still works for short lunch loops, and gravel riders still get long evenings for Tautenburg Trails, Flughafen Gravel, or Holzland Ride. Winter brings cold nights, occasional inversion, and light snow from December through February, so running stays reliable while road rides turn shorter and gravel, cyclocross, and singletrack get picked by surface.