The Haspa Marathon Hamburg is the biggest spring marathon in Germany, billed by its organisers as the country's largest and fastest spring marathon. Its 20,000 marathon runners follow the blue line through the city, from the Reeperbahn and the harbour to the shores of the Alster, and a half marathon and a four-person marathon relay are run on the same day.
There is no lottery and no ballot: registration is first-come, first-served and online only, and in recent years it has opened a few days after race day. Every distance has sold out well before race day, the relay within hours of opening, so being ready on opening day matters. For the official entry and all details, head to the Haspa Marathon Hamburg website.
Key dates
- Registration WindowExpected Apr 2027
- Race dayApr 25, 2027
Windows are shown to the month until the organiser confirms them. Subscribers get the exact day, by email, on the morning it opens.
This year's registration has closed. The next window is expected Apr 2027. Set up a BibsAlert now and we'll email you the moment the Hamburg Marathon registration reopens, so next time you're first in instead of locked out.
How to enter the Hamburg Marathon
Hamburg has one main way in for individual runners, plus an official transfer once the field is full.
1. General Registration (First-Come, First-Served)
Register online on the official registration platform, linked from the race website. Everyone must register themselves. In recent years registration has opened on the Wednesday after race day at 10:00 Hamburg time, and the 20,000 marathon places go to runners in order until they run out. Runners must turn 18 in the year of the race.
2. Official Place Transfer
Once the race is sold out, you can still take over a registered runner's place through the organiser's official transfer. The current holder starts the transfer from their account, and the new runner receives a code by email and pays a re-registration fee instead of the entry fee. Check that the seller appears on the official participant list before paying anything.
3. Marathon Relay
Teams of four can run the full marathon course as a relay. Relay places are allocated separately and have sold out within hours of registration opening.
The course
The Haspa Marathon Hamburg is a sightseeing tour of the city on a course the organisers describe as fast and almost completely flat, with only a few small ramps.
- Start: Karolinenstraße by the Hamburg Messe, with a second start area at Bei den Kirchhöfen
- Finish: Karolinenstraße
- Distance: 42.195 km on an AIMS-measured course
- Start Time: 08:30 for the first start area, 09:00 for the second
- Time Limit: 6 hours after the last runner crosses the start line
The opening kilometres take you down the Reeperbahn and along the Elbchaussee beside the Elbe, then past the Fischmarkt and the Landungsbrücken with views of the Elbphilharmonie, HafenCity and the Speicherstadt. The route crosses the city centre via Ballindamm and Jungfernstieg, looks out over the Binnenalster from the Kennedybrücke, then runs up the eastern shore of the Außenalster towards the Stadtpark and City Nord. After the northernmost point in Ohlsdorf, the last 12 km head back towards the finish along the western shore of the Alster and past Planten un Blomen. Pacers run for finish times from 3:00 to 5:00 hours.
Why run the Hamburg Marathon?
- Germany's biggest spring marathon: 20,000 runners in the marathon alone, with huge crowds along the route.
- Fast and flat: an AIMS-measured course that is almost completely flat, with pacers from 3:00 to 5:00 hours.
- The whole city in one run: the Reeperbahn, the harbour, the Elbphilharmonie, the Speicherstadt and both Alster lakes.
Missed out?
Spots for the Hamburg 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
How fast does the Hamburg Marathon sell out?
Every distance has sold out well before race day. Relay places have gone within three hours of registration opening and the half marathon within ten days, and the marathon has sold out months before race day.
Can I transfer my entry?
Yes. The organiser runs an official transfer: the current holder starts it from their account, and the new runner pays a 25 euro re-registration fee for the marathon instead of the entry fee. Settle the original fee between yourselves, and check the seller is on the official participant list before you pay.
Can I cancel and get a refund?
You can cancel free of charge, in writing, within two weeks of registering. After that the entry fee is not refunded. Optional cancellation insurance can be added when you register.
What's the time limit?
The marathon officially ends 6 hours after the last runner crosses the start line.
Looking ahead
In recent years, registration for the next edition has opened on the Wednesday after race day, at 10:00 Hamburg time. Relay places have gone within hours and half marathon places within days, and the marathon has sold out months before race day. Set up a BibsAlert to get notified when registration opens.