Kassel Marathon 2026

The Kassel Marathon is a road running event held in Kassel, central Germany. It includes a full marathon, half marathon, relay, walking events, handbike participation, and shorter races for children. The main marathon course consists of two laps, while the half marathon, mini-marathon, and company run utilize distinct marked routes. The event attracts a substantial local audience alongside competitive runners, with participation figures in the tens of thousands and spectator numbers significantly exceeding the number of participants. The course guides runners through Kassel and alongside the Fulda River, passing by city landmarks instead of crossing a rural landscape. The event's scope extends beyond the marathon itself, featuring a Power Walking Half Marathon, mini and mini-half races for younger participants, a Bambinilauf for toddlers, a Marathon Expo, a 21k Party, and a marathon prayer service. This contemporary city race has roots in the older Sensenstein Marathon, which originated at the Sensenstein youth hostel and subsequently adopted a challenging 13.5 km out-and-back course through the Kaufunger Wald, with extensive gravel paths.