MARATHON MÜNCHEN by Brooks
The Lowdown
The Marathon München by Brooks is Munich’s premier autumn marathon, carrying forward a tradition of city racing that celebrates both the city’s sporting heritage and its vibrant public spaces. Held in October, the event brings together elite competitors and recreational runners for a well-organized, fast course that highlights Munich’s architectural and natural landmarks. Over the years the race has grown in popularity with national and international participants, becoming a fixture on Germany’s road racing calendar and a popular option for runners seeking a scenic urban marathon with strong local support. The course weaves through Munich’s most iconic areas, offering views of historic squares, grand boulevards and leafy riverbanks. Runners pass notable sights such as the city center near Marienplatz, the elegant avenues of Maximilianstraße, riverside stretches along the Isar, and wide green spaces including sections that glimpse the Englischer Garten, before finishing in the atmospheric Olympiapark complex. The race atmosphere is lively and supportive, with enthusiastic crowds, live music stations and well-stocked aid stations creating an encouraging experience from start to finish. The Marathon München is AIMS-certified and meets standards for use as a Boston Marathon qualifying course, making it attractive both for those chasing a personal best and for runners seeking a memorable city marathon experience.
Race Day
Weather Forecast
Elevation
Terrain Profile
Relatively flat course
Participants
Field Size
Large field
Crowd Rating
Spectator Support
Excellent spectator turnout
Registration opens for Marathon München by Brooks 2026
Jun 10, 2025Organizers announced that official registration for the Marathon München by Brooks on 2026-10-11 is now open, with early-bird marathon and relay spots available and updated race weekend logistics posted on the official website.
Successful Marathon München by Brooks 2024 draws international field and community events
Oct 13, 2024The 2024 edition returned with a strong international turnout and sold-out marathon field; organizers highlighted the expanded runners' expo, family events in Olympiapark, and plans to refine the 2026 route and sustainability measures.
Boston Qualifier
This race is a certified Boston Marathon qualifying event. Achieve your qualifying standard here on a verified course.
Olympiapark
The race starts and finishes in Olympiapark, the iconic 1972 Olympic complex with its sweeping canopies and large parkland
Englischer Garten
Runners traverse parts of one of the world's largest urban parks, passing open lawns, streams and the Chinese Tower beer garden
Marienplatz
The historic central square of Munich, where participants pass the New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus) and bustling city center
Frauenkirche
The twin-towered cathedral landmark near the course, a distinctive symbol of Munich's skyline
Theresienwiese
The vast open grounds used for Oktoberfest, offering wide avenues and spectator-friendly stretches
Königsplatz
A neoclassical plaza lined with museums and columned facades, providing a dramatic architectural backdrop on the route
Nymphenburg Palace
The race route includes sights near Schloss Nymphenburg and its baroque palace park (depending on course variation), a scenic historic estate
Other distances available during the event weekend:
Munich, Germany
DE
Average rate for 3-star accommodations near the start line
Eligibility
- Must be at least 18 years old on race day (11 October 2026)
- Valid online registration and payment completed before the stated deadline
- Participants must be physically fit to compete; medical clearance recommended for anyone with health concerns
- Race bibs are non-transferable; only the registered runner may use the bib
- Compliance with event rules and marshal instructions is mandatory
- Use of wheeled devices (rollerblades, bicycles, scooters) is prohibited unless registered in an approved wheelchair/paralympic category
Required Documents
- Photo ID
- Confirmation of participation
Entry Methods
- Online Registration
- Charity Entry
- Tour Operator Packages
- Club/Group Entry
- Elite/Invited Athletes
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Full refund (minus transaction fees) until 60 days before race (until 2026-08-12)
50% refund until 30 days before race (until 2026-09-11)
No refunds within 30 days of race (from 2026-09-12 onward)
Bib transfer to another registered participant permitted until 14 days before race (until 2026-09-27) with €10 administration fee
Name change allowed until 7 days before race (until 2026-10-04) with €5 administration fee
Medical withdrawals accepted with a doctor's note; free deferral to the following year's race or full refund (minus transaction fees) if documentation provided by race day
If the event is cancelled by the organizer (non-weather/force majeure), entrants may choose a full refund or free deferral to the next edition
If the event is cancelled for force majeure or government restrictions, options may include partial refund, voucher, or deferral as determined by the organizer
The course starts and finishes in Olympiapark and takes runners through scenic Munich landmarks including the Englischer Garten, the Isar riverside and central historic districts near Marienplatz.
Finishers receive a custom finisher medal and a technical race shirt, and there is a well-stocked post-race food and beverage area with options for recovery and a beer garden at the finish festival.
There is an official race expo and bib pick-up the weekend before the race, plus a family-friendly Kids Run and a pasta/pre-race carb dinner offered by local partners.
Aid stations are located approximately every 3–5 km with water, isotonic drinks and energy gels; medical support and refresh stations are available along the route.
The event awards prize money and podium prizes for overall and age-group winners, and organizers strongly recommend using Munich’s efficient public transport for arrival and departure due to limited race-day parking.
Community
Stories, tips, and race-day snapshots from runners who have tackled this course.
Community Reviews
Learn from fellow runners and share insights that will help the next person toe the line.