Hamburg Marathon 2024

Rock and Run!

The crowd is silent, faces slightly tense, everyone trying to hide their nervousness… When suddenly, the first guitar chords sound 🎸, and finally… The music starts! 

🎶 Should I stay or should I go? 🎶 

🎸 If you say that you are mine… 🎸

No, no… You're not at a Rock and roll concert: this is indeed a marathon, you're at the starting line of the Haspa Hamburg Marathon! 🏃‍♂️

The scene is set, we are in Hamburg, in the northern part of Germany near the North Sea. Home to the country's largest port, this city was entirely rebuilt after World War II ! And today, Hamburg is one of the most dynamic cities in Germany because of its vibrant demographics and significant economic activity (aerospace, naval construction, banking). But Hamburg is also known as Germany's "green lung." Indeed, the city boasts countless lakes, rivers, and forests. In total, there are no less than 26 hectares of green spaces. In short, Hamburg offers a fantastic playground for marathon runners!

So, what about the marathon itself? Held on the third Sunday of April for nearly 40 years, the Hamburg Marathon is the largest spring marathon in Germany 🇩🇪! The event is dearly loved by runners. Every year, no fewer than 30,000 runners participate in the event, and the half-marathon slots are booked months in advance. Two routes are available: a half-marathon (21.0975 km) and a full marathon (42.195 km) which can be run solo or as a four-runner relay 🏃‍♂️. If you opt for the relay, you'll need to divide up the four distances to run: 15.7 km, 11.4 km, 5.3 km, and 9.7 km! Also worth noting is that the half-marathon course initially follows the same route as the marathon (ideal if you're starting out with a group of mixed abilities)!

But whatever your choice, if you participate in this event, you'll have the chance to run in the city but also amidst nature! This is the essence of the Hamburg Marathon! You'll explore the Port of Hamburg, the city's historic center, as well as the quaint town of Altona and its artists... But above all, you'll discover absolutely fantastic natural spots like Stadtpark, a 148-hectare botanical park 🌲! You'll also be lucky enough to run along the shores of Hamburg's two largest artificial lakes: Binnenalster and Außenalster where Hamburgers regularly engage in rowing, kayaking, running… 💧 As for the weather 🌥, we can't make any promises, but it's usually quite dry in the region with temperatures ranging between 13°C and 15°C. So it might be rather chilly, but the lively atmosphere of the event should more than warm you up ☀️!

Eins, zwei, drei (one, two, three for those who might not have taken German in school)! Off we go! The Hamburg Marathon passes through all the key points of the city, the perfect chance to (re)discover Germany's second-largest city 🏃‍♂️! The race starts in the middle of the Hamburg Congress Center in the St. Pauli district, famous for its bars, nightclubs, and its football club playing in Germany's second division! Then, heading south of the city, you'll pass by the Große Wallanlagen, a huge park within the old city walls featuring gardens, lakes, and fountains. After a few kilometers, you'll move towards Altona, the artists' 👨‍🎨 town. This small borough is packed with shops, designer stores, and art galleries 🎨! Next, you'll experience the city's port ⚓️. You'll also run along the shores of the two major artificial lakes of Hamburg, Binnenalster and then Außenalster, before discovering Stadtpark - the city's lung - a park of 148 hectares with many gardens, a planetarium, and equipped areas for sports 🌳!

With proper preparation, the Hamburg Marathon poses no significant difficulty with minimal elevation. Proof of this is the marathon record of  2 hours 4 minutes and 47 seconds. How to explain such a performance? First, the atmosphere of this marathon is absolutely unique 🎈. The numerous spectators enable the runners to exceed their limits from the start of the race to the finish line! Furthermore, the organization is absolutely flawless: Hamburg is easily accessible by train or plane, runner management is optimal, there are plenty of refreshment points, and there's a wide range of hotels... Everything has been set up to ensure you have an excellent running experience!

Running is great but what else is there to do in Hamburg? Firstly, an expo is held on the Friday and Saturday before the marathon at the Hamburg Messe & Congress (just a few steps from the marathon's starting line). This running-focused expo gathers nearly 80 specialized exhibitors in endurance, outdoor, and lifestyle... Perfect for gearing up before the start! Moreover, a children's race, the “Das Zehntel” (we don't know how to pronounce it either 😅), is organized the day before! Just so you know, it’s Germany’s largest children's race since it welcomes 9,000 school kids aged 6 to 17 years every year, gathered to run 4.2195 km (i.e., a tenth of the marathon).

Still not convinced 🎙? You can always keep the celebration going and head to downtown Hamburg to visit the Hamburg Dungeon, a museum that recounts the city's dark history 👨🏻‍🏫 ! More of a nature lover? You can also take a walk along the Alster 💦, the city's river, a truly ideal place for family or friend outings, or to enjoy a little coffee, a Fischbrötchen (a fish sandwich typical of the region) 🥪, or a Franzbrötchen (a sweet pastry baked with butter and cinnamon) 🥧! A sure way to boost your glucose levels! 😅 

The crowd is ecstatic, and already, the concert of marathoners is about to end 🎬! It's nearly over, but as soon as you cross the finish line, the irresistible urge to listen to music and embark on a new challenge awaits: another marathon, a trail run, or even an ultra trail? The choice is yours! 😅