Mainova Frankfurt Marathon
Guten Tag!
Held at the end of October in Frankfurt am Main, Hesse, Germany, this marathon has been around since... 1981 ! 🤓 This year marks the 41st edition of the event. Annually, it draws over 20,000 participants from around the globe 🌍, both amateurs and professionals! It ranks as the third-largest marathon in Germany 🇩🇪. In total, three races are on offer: a marathon (42.195 km), a relay marathon for teams of four, and a mini-marathon for kids aged 8-17 (4.2 km). There's also a kids race, the Struwwelpeter Run, open to children aged 5 to 9! As for the weather, expect temperatures between 8 and 15°C and generally dry conditions in Frankfurt during October. But still, pack your best waterproof windbreaker… Just in case! ☔️
The Frankfurt Marathon will take you along the banks of the Main River 🌊, the city's most significant river 🏞️. You'll then get to explore both urban landscapes and natural scenery 🍃. In the city, you'll have the privilege to discover the Frankfurt Opera House 🏛️, an impressive monument with architecture that unmistakably hints at the Renaissance 🤴. Built in 1880 in the heart of the Westend district, this opera house was almost completely destroyed by bombings in 1944 💣, then rebuilt in the 1960s 🚧. Moreover, you'll pass by the city's most beautiful museums 📚: the German Film Museum 🎞️, the Städel Museum, the Museum of Applied Arts… 🎨 Just a few suggestions for cultural outings post-race! But the Frankfurt Marathon also features beautiful stretches through nature🌳🌳. Running along the river banks will offer you a different perspective of the city 📐, with skyscrapers emerging above the river and many secluded natural spots away from the urban frenzy! 🥰
Before the race, you're invited to the Toscana Pasta Party 🍝, where you can carb-load to gather strength for the big day! 💪 Moreover, throughout the 42 km, you'll encounter numerous music bands! 🎶 Pop, rock, blues, traditional German music, and more! 🥳 The Frankfurt Marathon is a real street festival ! The whole city buzzes with the energy of the runners. You can count on the numerous Frankfurters (yes, that's what they're called 😂) to cheer you on to the finish line! 🏁 And the icing on the cake, a fair featuring numerous exhibitors (running, lifestyle) is organized! 🎉
Well-prepared and with regular training (worthy of Joachim Löw ⚽️), you should be able to finish this marathon without too much trouble 😎. Indeed, the Frankfurt Marathon is relatively flat and free of major obstacles 😜, conducive to high performance. For evidence, the marathon record is held by Kenyan, Wilson Kipsang, who completed the race in 2011 in 2 hours 3 minutes and 42 seconds ⏱. With this time, the Frankfurt Marathon has topped global charts… 🤯 You too could potentially beat your personal record 🚀.
In need of a little more magic? ✨ Great, because Frankfurt is a truly fabulous city! And we've spotted for you, three must-visit places if you take on the Frankfurt Marathon challenge! 😏 First, you can visit the St. Bartholomew's Cathedral ⛪! If you manage to climb the 324 steps to the top ⬆️, you'll be able to enjoy breathtaking views of Frankfurt, and in October, the belfry is exceptionally open to tourists 🔔. Second, we recommend heading to Berger Straße (Berger Avenue 🐑) for some leisurely strolling and shopping 🛍️! You'll find homeware stores 🏘️, factory outlets 🏭, thrift shops, as well as numerous bars, restaurants, and cafés… 🍵 All with an authentic vibe! 🤗 Finally, make your way to Frankfurt's market, the Kleinmarkthalle, a covered market where you can sample fresh produce and truly immerse yourself in Frankfurt life! 🍻
Wingardium Leviosa 🧙♂️… May you fly like a true wizard to conquer this quidditch match this marathon!
The race starts in the Westend neighborhood, right at the Festhalle Messe Frankfurt, a venue known for hosting a variety of artistic and sporting events 🤸♀️.
From there, you'll take off running through Westend, getting a chance to marvel at the opera house 🎤 and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange 🤑. Then, after about 10 km, you'll head toward Nordend, Frankfurt's most beloved neighborhood, known for its architecture and lush parks 🌿.
Next, you'll make your way to the south of the city! 🏙️ Crossing the Main via the Alte Brücke (Old Bridge). Then, you'll pass by the city's most prestigious museums: the Museum of Applied Arts, the German Film Museum, and the Städel Museum! You will then follow along the Main for several kilometers, leading up to the train station on the city's west side 🚅. Finally, you'll finish where you started, back at the Festhalle Messe Frankfurt in the Westend neighborhood... And just like that, the loop 🔁 is complete!
To join the relay race, you'll need to form a team of 4! The first runner will cover 12.9 km, the second 6.1 km, the third 9.5 km, and the fourth 13.5 km. The relay follows the exact same route as the marathon! 🤓
For the marathon:
bib 1 to 1,000: €110
bib 1,001 to 2,500: €120
bib 2,501 to 6,000: €140
bib 6,001 and until October 5, 2025: €150
from October 6 to 19, 2025: €160
from October 24 to 26, 2025: €160
For the mini-marathon:
until October 5, 2025: €10
online until October 19 and on-site on October 24 and 25, 2025: €12
You can pick up your race bib on the 2nd floor of the Trade Fair at the following times:
Friday, October 24, 2025, between noon and 7 PM
Saturday, October 25, 2025, between 10 AM and 7 PM
On race day between 7:30 AM and 9:30 AM
The start will take place at Friedrich-Ebert-Anlage, near the city center. There will be two waves beginning at 10 AM and 10:10 AM. The relay marathon will start at 10:35 AM.
Refreshment stations will be available at the following kilometers: 5; 10; 12.5; 15; 17.5; 22.5; 27.5; 32.5; 37.5 and 40.
For the marathon: born in 2007 or earlier
For the relay marathon:
first runner: born in 2009 or earlier
second runner: born in 2013 or earlier
third runner: born in 2011 or earlier
fourth runner: born in 2009 or earlier
For the mini-marathon: between 8 and 17 years old
For the "Pierre l'Ébouriffé's Race": between 5 and 9 years old
Various pacemakers will be available in the race to help you reach the following goals: 2h59, 3h14, 3h29, 3h44, 3h59, 4h14, 4h29, 4h44, 4h59, 5h29.
Simply fill out this form! You must be born before January 1, 2007, to volunteer.
You can reach the organizers by filling out a form or via email at the following address: mail@frankfurt-marathon.com
The marathon must be completed within 6 hours.
Showers and changing rooms will be available in the basement of hall 1.
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