Fränkische Schweiz Marathon
The Lowdown
The Fränkische Schweiz Marathon is a car-free road race through the Fränkische Schweiz (Franconian Switzerland) region of Bavaria, starting and finishing in the town of Ebermannstadt. Founded in 2002, the race reaches its 25th edition on September 6, 2026. The course runs entirely on the closed federal highway B 470, tracing the valley between the Walberla hill and the Neideck castle ruins past dramatic limestone rock formations, storybook villages, and riverside scenery. The route is largely flat, making it one of the faster options in the region. Alongside the full marathon, the weekend program includes a half marathon, 10K, relay marathon, Run & Bike, and handbike marathon, plus children's races held the day before on Saturday. Thousands of spectators line the closed highway, and finishers receive medals, pasta vouchers, and free regional public transit passes. Entry is capped and the 2026 field is nearing its participant limit, with online registration open through August 30, 2026.
Race Day
Weather Forecast
Elevation
Terrain Profile
Relatively flat course
Participants
Field Size
Medium-sized race
Crowd Rating
Spectator Support
Good crowd energy
Walberla hill
Neideck castle ruins
Streitberg castle ruins
Behringersmühle
Weilersbach
Other distances available during the event weekend:
Ebermannstadt, Bavaria, Germany
DE
Average rate for 3-star accommodations near the start line
Eligibility
- Marathon and relay/handbike entrants must be born 2008 or earlier
- Half marathon, relay leg, and Run & Bike entrants must be born 2010 or earlier
- 10K entrants must be born 2014 or earlier
Required Documents
- Photo ID
- Confirmed race entry / bib pickup confirmation
Entry Methods
- Online registration via fs-marathon.de, processed through baer-service.de and wkm-iad.de
Cancellation & Refund Policy
See official Fränkische Schweiz-Marathon terms (Organisationsbeitrag/AGB) for refund and deferral policy
2026 is the 25th (anniversary) edition; the race was first held in 2002.
The course runs on the fully closed federal highway B 470 through the Wiesent valley.
The 2025 edition (24th) drew 1,973 finishers across all distances.
Finisher perks include chip timing, medals, massages, showers, pasta vouchers, and free regional public transit for participants.
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