53. Königsforst-Marathon

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.