Contrary to its name, the Durlacher Turmberglauf is not a climb up the Turmberg but a flat, fast 10 km city run in Durlach, the eastern district of Karlsruhe. The main race starts in the afternoon on Durlach market square, with the finish set between the market square and the Saumarkt. Turnerschaft Durlach 1846 e.V. organizes the event, and the race day begins earlier with children's runs in the Schlossgarten for ages 5 to 13.
The 10 km course leaves the market square, runs through the old town on Pfinztalstrasse and the Altstadtring, follows the Pfinz river toward Grötzingen, then returns to Durlach's center. The children's races use short laps of 400 to 800 meters, grouped by age and gender. Karlsruhe schools also compete for a city championship, with prizes for the school with the most finishers overall and the most finishers relative to its student body. The day closes with an award ceremony in the Weiherhofhalle, accompanied by the inclusive band Dickes Blech.