Marathon

Entry fees

The entry fees for the Generali Cologne Marathon go by certain contingencies of entry slots. Register early and save money!

Registration

Entry slots	Entry fee
1 – 999	€80.00
1,000 – 2,999	€90.00
3,000 – 7,000	€100.00

Race information & registration

Organiser of the Generali Cologne Marathon will be the Köln Marathon Veranstaltungs- und Werbe GmbH.

We will offer the following competitions on race day: marathon (42,195 m), half marathon (21,100 m) and relay team marathon (42,195 m in 4 stages).

Competition rules

The Generali Cologne Marathon will be organised according to Deutscher Leichtathletik-Verband (DLV) e. V.’s international competitions rules and International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) regulations under the supervision of the DLV. These guidelines are obligational for runners with and without German Athletics Federation (DLV)’s pass.

The compliance with these rules will be checked and recorded by the referees.

The age classes will be as follows: 18-19 years, 20-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80 years and older. Most relevant for this categorisation is your date of birth.

There will be a separate scoring for each gender, relevant will be the net time.

Special scorings

age categories M/F (see above)
teams M/F: the 3 best participants of a club or company
city championship (Stadtmeisterschaft) M/F: official residence in Cologne (ZIP code/post code 50400 – 51300) – ID proof needed for award ceremony!
association’s regional Southeast marathon championships (LVN-Regio Südost Marathon Meisterschaft): single and team scoring
student cup (Studi-Werk Cup) M/F: for matriculated students at German universities
costumes scoring (Kostümwertung) presented by Kölnische Rundschau

Participation

For the participation in the half marathon you have at least be 18 years of age on race day (birthday in 2003 and older). Relevant is the year of birth, not the birthday.

The participant limit will be 14,999.

A registration is only possible via this official website.

Health

We recommend an adequate sports medical examination to all participants prior to the participation. As an indication please check the PAPS test on the registration page.

On the current occasion and for showing respect for the other participants it is desirable that the runners get vaccinated early enough and follow the corresponding hygiene measures prior to the race.

Participants from risk areas have to consider quarantine provisions or abstain from the start.

Data process agreement

We store and process the person-related data from your registration for the conduct and realisation of the event, particularly the data necessary for payment (via the raceresult AG) and communications.

Without the following consent a participation in our event is NOT possible: You explicitly agree to the publication of your last name, first name, sex, year of birth, age category, club, bib number and result (position and times) in all race-related media such as online media (e. g. web site, app, live stream, social media), print media and TV.

Online registration for the Generali Cologne Marathon (42.195 m)

Registrations will only be possible via this website – prior to 5:00 p. m. on the day before race day as long as the participant limit will not have been reached yet.

After the successful registration you will receive an email confirmation and the entry fee will be charged.

We recommend to also book a Generali entry fee insurance to get your entry fee reimbursed in case of damage (see insurance policy).

Registering another person on your bib number or handing over the bib number to another person is not possible and will lead to direct disqualification.

Group registration

In case you would like to register 10 or more single starters for the marathon and/or half marathon please make use of the group registration option.

The discount per person (10% off) will be cleared as soon as you reach or exceed the relevant participant number.

Race packets

In order to be able to participate you will have to pick up your race packets including the bib number in person at the Running.EXPO. This expo will take place in MOTORWORLD Cologne and be opened on Friday, October 1, from 10:00 a. m. to 8:00 p. m. and on Saturday, October 2, 2021, from 9:00 a. m. to 6:00 p. m.

Please note: Due to the Corona pandemic it could be possible that the race can be held, but not the expo. In this case there will be a provisional handout of the bib numbers.

Chronometry

The time of your relay team will be measured with a transponder attached to the bib number by race result.

A participation and chronometry is exclusively possible with this special transponder.

Please fasten your team bib number with the number belt and wear it on the hips. And pin the back numbers on the backs.

Please do NOT use magnetic pins or the like for fixing the bib number. They can have a negative impact on chronometry and the detection of your times.

Make sure that you overrun all chronometry mats normally every 5 k along the course. Lacking interval times may cause in disqualification.

Ranking

The first 10 women and men will be ranked by gross time and will be marked by * in the result list. All other runners will be added by net time.

Please note that, due to a strict timeframe and municipal provisions, you will have to complete the competition within a time of 6:00 hours net. The course has to be opened for public transportation then. Should you exceed this time limit you will be addressed accordingly by the marshals and the broom wagon driver. You have to leave the course then and can be brought to the finish area by the broom wagon or public transportation.

Start

The start will be located on Opladener Straße next to Ottoplatz/Bahnhof Deutz.

Starting blocks

The starting blocks will be kicked off approximately every 4 minutes. The first runner of your team will have to pin the team bib number visible with the belt and the back number on the reverse of the shirt. No start without any bib number!

Starting times (may be subject to change)

10:00 a. m. marathon including relay teams and school marathon

The order of the starting blocks will be RED – BLUE – YELLOW and ORANGE.

IMPORTANT!

If you will feel ill on race day should stay at home. You will not only risk an infection of other participants, but also your own health. No wrong ambition please!

Finish area

The finish area will be located on Komödienstraße next to the city’s landmark, Cologne Cathedral. After the finish crossing you will pass the refreshment village and check out from the closed area to pick up your kit bags.

This will be the time when you could meet with your fans again.

Awards

Directly after crossing the finish line within the given time limit you will obtain your finisher medal. The award ceremony of the overall winners will take place after the finish. Winners of the age categories and special scorings will be awarded after the race via mail.

You can have a look onto a first, unofficial preliminary certificate with a click on your name in the result list. Your official certificate with the final time and positioning will be available approximately one week after the race (after the period for objection) at the same place.

Note: Within this period positionings may change.

Our race will be organized according to our, IAAF and DLV guidelines and specifications.

A violation of these provisions will directly lead to disqualification, i. e.:

starting without any bib number or any transponder or manipulation of transponder or chronometry (lacking intervall times, abandoning or shortening the course)
starting with more than one transponder
starting in the wrong starting block ahead, to be monitored via chronometry!
alteration of the bib number such as concealing or deviating the sponsors bar
transfer of bib number and/or transponder to another person
exceeding the given time limit
undershooting the required age
carrying along baby buggies, baby joggers etc.
carrying along animals
carrying along or using other technical devices
accompanying on bikes, inline skates etc.
taking illegal performance-enhancing substances (doping)
wearing headphones and listening to music via technical devices, e. g. iPods, smartphones etc.
violences against DLV and/or IAAF competition rules

A downgrade from marathon to half marathon is not possible at all.

Changing names or handing over the bib number to another person are not possible at all and will lead to direct disqualification.

Please find further information in the FAQ section (tbc, currently still as of 2019/2020).

Discover the course

All-time best

Since 1997 more than 248,000 runners have finished the Generali Cologne Marathon. Here please find the top 10 women and men with the fasted times ever and some further interesting statistics.

Positioning	Name	Country	Time
#1	Helena Kirop	KE	02:25:34
#2	Angelina Kanana	KE	02:27:27
#3	Shetaye Bedaso	ET	02:27:29
#4	Luminita Zaituc	DE	02:28:24
#5	Janet Rono	KE	02:28:36
#6	Malgozata Sobanska	PL	02:28:42
#7	Makda Harun	KE	02:29:03
#8	Sabrina Mockenhaupt	DE	02:29:33
#9	Robe Tola Guta	ET	02:29:36
#10	Malgozata Sobanska	PL	02:29:39

Positioning	Name	Country	Time
#1	Alfred Kering	KE	02:07:37
#2	Limenih Getachew	ET	02:07:39
#3	Duncan Koech	KE	02:07:53
#4	Laban Mutai	KE	02:08:01
#5	Evans Kipkogei Ruto	KE	02:08:36
#6	Samson Bungei	KE	02:08:36
#7	Raymond Kipchumba Choge	KE	02:08:39
#8	Samson Kipron Barmao	KE	02:08:56
#9	Adam Khamis	KE	02:09:09
#10	Victor Lagat	KE	02:09:13

Positioning	Name	Country	Time
#1	Ira Korsten	DE	02:44:59
#2	Maike Schön	DE	02:47:51
#3	Maike Schön	DE	02:48:34
#4	Ira Korsten	DE	02:50:50
#5	Stefanie Soeder	DE	02:50:56
#6	Anja Lamberty	DE	02:53:21
#7	Ira Korsten	DE	02:55:03
#8	Marlies Meyer	DE	02:56:20
#9	Ute Wichelmann	DE	02:56:25
#10	Sigrid Bühler	DE	02:56:38

Positioning	Name	Country	Time
#1	Philippe Gillen	DE	02:26:12
#2	Carsten von Kuk	DE	02:27:13
#3	Carsten von Kuk	DE	02:27:21
#4	Philippe Gillen	DE	02:28:42
#5	Carsten von Kuk	DE	02:29:57
#6	Carsten von Kuk	DE	02:31:08
#7	Rana Martin Bhattacharjee	DE	02:31:20
#8	Axel Lüder	DE	02:31:42
#9	Carsten von Kuk	DE	02:31:49
#10	Fabian Rahn	DE	02:33:41

Positioning	Name	Country	Time
#1	DLDC Aachen	DE	08:49:21
#2	SV Saar 05 Saarbrücken	DE	09:31:56
#3	LAZ Puma Troisdorf/Siegburg	DE	09:38:00
#4	LTF Marpingen	DE	09:38:31
#5	LA TuS Mayen	DE	09:57:12
#6	Germania 07 Dürwiss	DE	09:58:54
#7	LG Braunschweig	DE	09:59:12
#8	TV Refrath	DE	10:00:34
#9	SG Stern Sindelfingen	DE	10:02:58
#10	DJK Laufwölfe Fürsteneck	DE	10:03:44

Positioning	Name	Country	Time
#1	DJK A. Würselen	DE	07:33:17
#2	LG Bonn/Troisdorf	DE	07:34:50
#3	LA Team Dorsten	DE	07:36:07
#4	TSV Adelberg	DE	07:42:30
#5	LT DSHS Köln	DE	07:45:41
#6	LAZ Puma Rhein-Sieg 1	DE	07:53:55
#7	VMOL	DE	07:58:14
#8	MPM	DE	08:00:03
#9	US Maubeuge	DE	08:02:48
#10	UAC	DE	08:07:49

Positioning	Name	Country	Time
#1	Maike Schön	DE	02:47:51
#2	Stephanie Strate	DE	02:58:13
#3	Claudia Maria Henneken	DE	03:01:04
#4	Vanessa Ohm	DE	03:15:00
#5	Claudia Maria Henneken	DE	03:21:07

Positioning	Name	Country	Time
#1	Hendrik Pfeiffer	DE	02:13:39
#2	Philippe Gillen	LU	02:26:14
#3	Lukas Bauer	DE	02:41:55
#4	Dennis Baus	DE	02:46:56
#5	Leon Kriszeleit	DE	02:50:08

Go to all results

Insurance

What to do when you get ill prior to the race or you cannot come due to important reasons?

The Generali entry fee insurance (managed by Europ Assistance) will cover the costs of the entry fee e. g. in the case of illness, accident, unemployment, short-time work or extensive damage to your property (cf. insurance policy, in German 🇩🇪 only).

Book the entry fee insurance – depending on the entry fee contingency for € 5.36 (first contingency), € 6.96 (second and third contingency) or € 10.65 (fourth contingency) – and you can start your training without any stress! :o)

Please find further information on the coverage of the policy here (in German 🇩🇪 only!).

What is to do in the case of an insured event? As long as you booked this insurance and you cannot take part in the race please deregister via this form (see below) and send the following documents to the insurance at reise@europ-assistance.de:

copy of your email confirmation of registration
copy of your email confirmation of participation, if available
fully filled deregistration form
copy of the insurance pass (“Versicherungsausweis”) – see your email confirmation of registration
proof of illness, damage etc. (e. g. medical certificate)
your bank details (IBAN and BIC)

Student cup

Those who learn a lot need to keep a level head! And to keep this, as is well-known, you have to do sports and go running. Therefore, we would like to award running students and will again introduce the student cup (‘Studi-Werk Cup’ in German 🇩🇪) in cooperation with the Kölner Studierendenwerk for the marathon and half marathon like year before.

When you are currently matriculated at a German university you may register online prior to September 22, 2021 for cheaper rates (after the first entry fee contingency 10% off the entry fee). Note: This scoring is not available for elite runners.

And we will have fancy prices for the fastest would-be graduates:

#1: € 250.00 for the semester fee, sponsored by Generali Cologne Marathon
#2: € 150.00 for the canteen, sponsored by Kölner Studierendenwerk
#3: € 70.00 CologneTourism voucher, e. g. for KölnShop, concert tickets etc.

NEW: The award ceremony will directly take place on stage in the finish after the race for the first time. Please bring your valid student ID to race. We will check it before the award ceremony.

Note: Should you already be registered for the race we still may enroll you for the special student scoring. A reimbursement will however not be possible.

Sustainability

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!