Race information – What do I have to know as a parent?
We will organise the RheinEnergie Cologne Kids Run on October 2, 2021 – the day before race day, next to Cologne Cathedral.
The kids will start in the following races:
500 m (years of birth 2015-2017)
1,000 m (years of birth 2011-2017)
2,000 m (years of birth 2011-2015)
All races will be held without any chronometry; girls and boys will start into the race mutually.
All kids with years of birth from 2011 to 2017 with an official bib number are eligible to start.
The participant limit is 750 kids in total. Depending on the number of participants the kids will split into groups start according to years of birth and/or sex.
Note: The kids should only start when being healthy, able to run over the course alone and without any parental company. Mit der Anmeldung akzeptieren die Eltern die Teilnahmebedingungen und Haftunsgregelungen.
Due to the great demand we recommend to register the kids early enough prior to race day.
No late entries on race day.
The bib numbers will be automatically allocated when registering, communicated in the email confirmation of registration and published in the internet.
Please use the four pins provided to fix the bib number in the height of the chest.
By presenting the email confirmation of participation the bib number can be picked up on
Friday, October 1, 10:00 a. m. to 8:00 p. m. at the Running.EXPO in MOTORWORLD Cologne
Saturday, October 2, 9:00 to 10:00 a. m. in a tent on Roncalli Place (Roncalliplatz) next to Cologne Cathedral
Church service
Prior to the first start there will be church service for kids and parents in Cologne Cathedral at 10:30 a. m.
Starting times
approx. 11:15 a. m.: 500 m run (years of birth 2015-2017)
afterwards: 1,000 m runf (years of birth 2011-2017)
afterwards: 2,000 m run (years of birth 2011-2017)
Starting times may be subject to change, particularly when starting groups have to be split due to the great amount of kids.
Awards
All kids will receive a medal and be handed out a nice participation certificate after their finish.
Sustainability is dear to our hearts. Together with our partners we set the goal to convert the Generali Cologne Marathon into one of the most sustainable running events. We did not only want to ‘buy’ a clear conscience with some euros and set the event climate-neutrally. We really wanted to change things! Therefore, we examined the entire organsational structure and carved out several starting points that we will go about step by step despite some discussions and opposition.
Already in the premiere year of 1997 we focussed on conservation. At that time we were the first marathon in Germany to offer a public transportation ticket free of charge for all participants and three (!) accompanying persons each. Due to large-scale road closures downtown Cologne is almost free of car traffic. Certainly conducive for a better air quality in the city – at least on race day.
This topic gained more and more traction in the end of 2018. For the 2019 edition we developped a concept for waste avoidance. Instead of handing out beverages in 300,000 one-way plastic cups we replaced parts of these by returnable cups. These multi-trip cups were collected in nets and by volunteering ‘cup angels’. A trial with a big success – almost 100% of the cups were returned and could be washed for the next use. In the medium term we intend to fully abstain from one-way cups.
Moreover, we produced wood medals in 2019 for the first time. At first the participants discussed this controversial issue, but in the finish they all received these medals excitedly.
In 2019 even the finisher shirt was made of wood. Also here scepticism among the runners was high. But in the end the shirts were sold out.
We have not finalised the sustainability journey yet, we still have some ideas. We cannot implement them alone, you are also challenged to participate. The cups are not to be thrown onto the roads as practised for years, but into the nets! Preferably travel by public transportation or by bike. And in case you have any further cool ideas please let us know. We are looking forward to every single creative support!
