The Mainova Frankfurt Marathon is Germany's oldest city marathon and one of the fastest in the world. Its flat course runs from the skyline out through the city's neighbourhoods and back, and every runner finishes on a red carpet inside the packed Festhalle. The race is organised by motion events, now part of London Marathon Events, and belongs to the European Marathon Classics series alongside Rome, Madrid, Lisbon, London, Vienna, Warsaw and Copenhagen.
Registration is first-come, first-served: there is no ballot. The entry fee rises in steps as places fill, and the field has sold out before race day in recent years, so it pays to enter early. Once it is full, the official waiting list is the way in. For the official entry and all details, head to the Mainova Frankfurt Marathon website.
Key dates
- Registration WindowExpected Oct 2026
- Race dayExpected Oct 2027
Windows are shown to the month until the organiser confirms them. Subscribers get the exact day, by email, on the morning it opens.
Don't miss the opening. The Frankfurt Marathon is first-come, first-served and sells out. Set up a BibsAlert and we'll email you the moment registration goes live.
How to enter the Frankfurt Marathon
Frankfurt has no ballot: places go to whoever registers first, on the organiser's online registration platform.
1. Online Registration (First-Come, First-Served)
Register online through the official website. The entry fee rises in tiers as places are taken, from about €110 for the first places to about €165 for late entries. Online entry runs until about a week before race day, unless the race sells out first.
2. Waiting List
Once the marathon is sold out, the official registration platform offers a waiting list.
3. Group Registration
Clubs and teams can enter together through the online group registration, where one organiser enters and manages every runner in the group.
4. On-Site Late Entry
While places remain, late entry is possible at the race number pick-up in the marathonmall on race weekend. Whether any places are left depends on the year, so don't count on it.
The course
A flat, fast course that starts in the city centre and finishes indoors.
- Start: Friedrich-Ebert-Anlage
- Finish: Red carpet inside the Festhalle
- Distance: 42.195 km
- Start Time: 10:00
The route runs from the skyline in the heart of the city out through Sachsenhausen, Niederrad, Goldstein and Schwanheim to the historic district of Höchst, then returns along the Mainzer Landstraße for a further loop of the city centre. Wide, fully paved roads and a flat profile make it a strong course for a personal best. The final stretch passes the Messeturm and the Hammering Man before the finish in the Festhalle. The time limit is 6 hours (net).
Why run the Frankfurt Marathon?
- The Festhalle finish: You cross the line on a red carpet under spotlights, with every finisher cheered in by full stands.
- A fast course: Its course record puts Frankfurt among the fastest marathons in the world, and it is quick for amateur runners too.
- Pacers for every goal: Official pacers run target times from 2:59 to 5:29.
- No ballot: A first-come, first-served autumn alternative if the Berlin Marathon ballot doesn't come through.
Missed out?
Spots for the Frankfurt Marathon sell out fast. If you missed this year's window, you still have options:
- Charity & partner entries: Many races reserve guaranteed places with charity partners and official tour operators, even after general entry sells out. Check the official website for partners.
- Try a similar race: Check the related races below for races with similar entry types, dates, or locations.
- Be ready next year: Set up a BibsAlert so you don't miss the moment registration opens.
Questions runners ask
Is there a ballot for the Frankfurt Marathon?
No. Entry is first-come, first-served through the official online registration. The fee rises in tiers as places fill, so registering early is cheaper.
What can I do if Frankfurt is sold out?
Join the waiting list on the official registration platform. On-site late entry on race weekend is only possible while places remain.
Can I transfer my entry?
Yes. You can pass your place to another runner online until early October, and they pay a processing fee of €20. If you have to withdraw for health reasons, upload a doctor's certificate and you receive a code to enter the following year for a €20 fee.
What's the time limit?
6 hours net. The finish in the Festhalle closes at 16:45, and later finishers are no longer timed.
Looking ahead
In recent years, registration for the next edition has opened around race day, and the field has filled before race day. Since it's first-come, first-served, registering early gets you a place at the lowest price. Set up a BibsAlert to get notified when the next registration opens.