swb-Marathon Bremen 2027: date, start times, entry fees

On 3 October 2027 the 22nd swb-Marathon Bremen returns to German Unity Day. Registration is open, fees rise on fixed dates, and three start times make it ideal for running groups with mixed goals.

Daniel Gruber · 4 October 2026 · 7 min read

swb-Marathon Bremen 2027: date, start times, entry fees

The 22nd swb-Marathon Bremen takes place on Sunday, 3 October 2027, with the marathon starting at 9:30 on the market square in front of the town hall (source: swb-marathon.com). That brings the race back to its traditional date on German Unity Day: in 2026 it was moved forward to 13 September because Bremen hosted the national Unity Day celebrations that year (source: butenunbinnen.de). Registration for 2027 is already open, and entry fees rise on fixed dates. Planning early saves money – and gives a mixed running group a whole race day on which everyone can run a different distance.

Key facts for 2027

Aspect Details
Date Sunday, 3 October 2027 (22nd edition)
Start and finish Marktplatz (market square), central Bremen
Start times Marathon 9:30 · HIRSCH 10 km 9:55 · AOK half marathon 11:30 · AOK kids' run 15:10
Course closes Marathon and half 15:30 · 10 km 11:25
Marathon entry fee €78 until 31 Dec 2026 · €88 until 31 Mar 2027 · €99 until 30 Jun 2027 · €111 until 19 Sep 2027
Entry deadline 19 September 2027, after that late entry on site expected if places remain
Pacers Marathon 3:00 to 5:00, half marathon 1:30 to 2:30
Registration online via davengo

Source: swb-marathon.com (home page with info, registration and fees, start times), as of 3 October 2026. The cheapest tier (€69 for the marathon) ended on 30 September 2026.

One day, three start times: how a running group can plan it

What makes Bremen's schedule special is that the three adult distances don't start together. The marathon goes at 9:30, the 10 km 25 minutes later, the half marathon not until 11:30 (source: swb-marathon.com, start times). For a running group with different goals that's a gift if you plan the day:

The late half marathon start has a downside: you wait longer, eat breakfast earlier than your start and run into midday. Plan a second small meal about two hours before 11:30, bring warm clothes for the wait and only drop them shortly before the start. Marathon and half marathon bags go to the Blumenmarkt, 10 km bags to the Neptune fountain on the Domshof (source: swb-marathon.com, changing and bag drop).

The courses: from the Werdersee to the Weserstadion

All three courses start and finish on the market square. According to the organiser, the marathon loops around the old town, follows the Werdersee to the botanical garden, passes the Universum and the university to the Bürgerpark and the Überseestadt, then runs along the Weser to the Weserstadion and back via the Osterdeich (source: swb-marathon.com, course maps). The half passes the main station to the Bürgerpark and Überseestadt; the 10 km goes straight to the river and the stadium (source: swb-marathon.com).

The run through the Weserstadion comes near the end for every distance, just before the return along the Osterdeich. Save something for that moment: after it, there are only a few kilometres to the market square. All three courses are registered with the German athletics federation (DLV), officially measured and eligible for ranking lists (source: swb-marathon.com, classes).

At the last edition the marathon had seven full aid stations with water, apple and banana (at km 10, 14.5, 18.3, 25.4, 30.5, 34.6 and 40.1), with sports drink from km 25 and cola from km 34.5, plus four water-only points. The first full station only comes at km 10; before that there's just water at 5.2 km (source: swb-marathon.com, aid stations). If you rely on early gels, carry your own.

Registration counted back: when entering pays off

Bremen tiers its prices by date, not by bib number. Counting back from race day (all prices source: swb-marathon.com, registration and fees):

The difference between the earliest open tier and the deadline is €33 for the marathon. Two rules take the risk out of entering early: until the deadline you can switch to a shorter distance free of charge. And through the official place exchange (Startplatzbörse) you can pass a paid entry to someone you know, for no more than the original price plus a €10 handling fee paid by the buyer (source: swb-marathon.com, transfers). There is no right of withdrawal under the entry conditions (source: swb-marathon.com).

The marathon fee includes a finisher shirt; for the other distances it costs €33, medal engraving €14 (source: swb-marathon.com, extras).

Race packs and getting there

For 2027 bib collection is expected at the GALERIA department store on Obernstraße, from Thursday, 30 September, until race morning; on Sunday itself from 7:30 to 11:30, for children until 14:00 (source: swb-marathon.com, bib collection). Bring your entry confirmation, emailed at least seven days before, and ID. Collection by someone else needs a written authorisation.

The market square is served by tram lines 4, 6 and 8 and bus lines 24 and 25 to the Schüsselkorb stop. Drivers can use the paid car parks City Gate, Stephani or Hochgarage am Wall (source: swb-marathon.com, getting there). Changing areas are on the Domshof, showers at the Vorwärts club on Violenstraße and at St. Johannis school (source: swb-marathon.com).

Looking back: the 21st edition on 13 September 2026

The 2026 race was held in September because of the Unity Day celebrations. According to buten un binnen around 13,000 athletes were registered, a record according to the organisers; the sports senator's welcome note on the organiser's site mentions 15,000 participants in total (sources: butenunbinnen.de, swb-marathon.com). Tim Veith won the marathon in 2:38:37 and Sophie Mattner in 3:04:42; Filimon Gezae won the half in 1:10:37 and Katharina Saathoff in 1:16:12 (source: butenunbinnen.de).

Training: summer belongs to the build-up

A marathon in early October means your long runs fall in July and August. A 16-week plan starts from Monday, 14 June 2027, a 12-week plan by Monday, 12 July 2027 at the latest. Long runs in high summer are best done early in the morning and with company. For Lauftreffs (group runs) and run clubs with weekly meet-ups, see Running in Bremen. A shared early-summer goal with colleagues is the B2Run Bremen.

For all other races in the city across the year, see running events in Bremen. To compare Bremen with other autumn marathons, such as the Baden-Marathon in Karlsruhe two weeks earlier on 19 September 2027 (source: badenmarathon.de) or the Münster Marathon, the 2027 marathon calendar lists every date.

The races with the most participants nationwide are in our overview of Germany's biggest marathons.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

When is the swb-Marathon Bremen 2027?
On Sunday, 3 October 2027. The marathon starts at 9:30 on Bremen's market square (source: swb-marathon.com).
Why was the Bremen Marathon held in September in 2026?
Bremen hosted the national German Unity Day celebrations in 2026, so the race moved to 13 September 2026 (source: butenunbinnen.de). In 2027 it is back on 3 October.
How much is the entry fee for 2027?
Marathon €78 until 31 Dec 2026, then €88, €99 and finally €111 until the 19 Sep 2027 deadline. Half marathon €58 to €91, 10 km €36 to €55 (source: swb-marathon.com, as of 3 October 2026).
Can I transfer my entry?
Yes, before the deadline via the official place exchange to someone you know, for no more than the original price plus a €10 fee paid by the buyer. Switching to a shorter distance is free until the deadline (source: swb-marathon.com).
Where do I collect my race pack?
Expected at the GALERIA department store on Obernstraße, from Thursday, 30 September 2027, until Sunday morning, with your entry confirmation and ID (source: swb-marathon.com).
Are there pacers?
Yes. For the marathon from 3:00 to 5:00 in 15-minute steps, for the half from 1:30 to 2:30 (source: swb-marathon.com, pacemakers).

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