Pfälzerwald Marathon 2026

The Pfälzerwald Marathon begins and ends at the Messegelände in Pirmasens, situated on the border of Germany’s Palatinate Forest. This yearly event, held in mid-September, features a full marathon, half marathon, marathon relay, and duo half-marathon relay. It also includes a Friday evening company run and a 1000-metre Bambini run for children. The primary races cater to runners seeking more than a simple flat city course; the route incorporates natural trails and forest paths within the Palatinate Forest-North Vosges Biosphere Reserve. The course crosses the Pfälzerwald, an extensive forested area in Rhineland-Palatinate. The appeal lies equally in the forest terrain underfoot and the distance itself. Marathoners and half-marathoners face a true endurance test, while relay participants can share the effort with partners or colleagues. The event provides sufficient local organization to feel established, with a start office available throughout the race weekend and parking facilities recognized by regular participants. A long-time runner commended the well-equipped aid stations and the welcoming Palatinate atmosphere, highlighting the race's draw: it offers a forest marathon with a sense of community, not merely a timed run through woodland.