RUNNING: 24th Frankfurt Mainova Half Marathon 2026 (GER)

Frankfurt, Germany on Sunday, March 22, 2026

Source: https://www.frankfurter-halbmarathon.de/

After just under 12 hours, all starting places for the 24th Frankfurt Mainova Half Marathon were sold out.

We are overwhelmed and thank you all for the incredible demand!

Unfortunately, we cannot provide any more starting places.

Starting places can only be exchanged via the official exchange platform:

Exchange platform

Latest information

The 24th Mainova Frankfurt Half Marathon is set for Sunday, March 22, 2026. This year is particularly significant as it also hosts the German Half Marathon Championships.

Here is the schedule and key information for the event:

Event Schedule

• Saturday, March 21, 2026
  • 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Late bib collection (only for those who did not receive them via mail) at the Deutsche Bank Park.
• Sunday, March 22, 2026 (Race Day)
  • 8:00 AM: Event village opens (Deutsche Bank Park).
  • Until 9:00 AM: Final bib collection for international participants.
  • 10:00 AM: Start of the Elite Wave (including the German Championships).
  • 10:05 AM – 10:15 AM: Start of the Main Field (released in waves).
  • Approx. 12:30 PM: Award ceremony for the top finishers.
  • 12:50 PM: Official finish line closure (Course limit: 2 hours 45 minutes).

Race Details

• Course: A 21.0975 km loop that is mostly flat, fast, and winds through the Frankfurt City Forest.
• Start/Finish: Both are located at the Deutsche Bank Park (Eintracht Frankfurt Stadium).
• Registration Status: The race is officially sold out. If you missed a spot, the official transfer portal usually remains open until mid-March for those looking to swap bibs.

Important Logistics

• Public Transport: Your race bib typically doubles as a ticket for the RMV transport network on race day.
• Road Closures: Expect significant disruptions between 9:00 AM and 2:30 PM, particularly around the Goldstein and Niederrad districts. It is highly recommended to use the S-Bahn (S7, S8, S9) to reach the stadium.
• Services: Showers and changing rooms are available for runners within the stadium facilities.

THE Mainova Frankfurt Half Marathon has evolved from a local club event into one of Germany’s premier spring road races. Often used by athletes as a “fitness check” for the full spring marathons (like Hamburg or London), its history is marked by rapid growth and a fast, flat course.

Origins and Early Years (2003–2009)

• Establishment: The race was first held in 2003. It was organized by the local running club Spiridon Frankfurt e.V., which still plays a major role in the event today.
• Early Identity: In its first few years, it was known as the Frankfurter City-Halbmarathon or simply the Frankfurter Halbmarathon.
• Growth: The event quickly gained popularity because it offered a high-quality, officially measured course at a time when half marathons were becoming the “sweet spot” for recreational runners.

The Lufthansa Era (2009–2015)

• Title Sponsorship: For several years, the race was known as the Frankfurter Lufthansa Halbmarathon. This era saw the race professionalize further, with increased participant numbers and more international attention.
• The Stadium Experience: A hallmark of the event has always been its connection to the Deutsche Bank Park (formerly Commerzbank-Arena). Finishing inside the stadium on the same turf where Eintracht Frankfurt plays became a major draw for participants.

The Mainova Era (2016–Present)

• New Sponsorship: In 2016, the local energy provider Mainova took over as the title sponsor, aligning the half marathon with the full Frankfurt Marathon held in October.
• Records and Prestige: The race has consistently broken participation records. In 2025, it reached a new high with 8,499 finishers, making it one of the largest standalone half marathons in Germany.
• National Significance: The 24th edition in 2026 marks a historic milestone as it hosts the German Half Marathon Championships, solidifying its reputation as one of the fastest and most competitive courses in the country.

Quick Historical Facts