Firmenlauf Köln 2027: 5 km around Fühlinger See

An after-work event in the north of Cologne: 5 kilometres around Fühlinger See, then awards and a party on the Ruderinsel. What teams and captains should know before 2027 registration opens.

Daniel Gruber · 4 October 2026 · 7 min read

Firmenlauf Köln 2027: 5 km around Fühlinger See

The Firmenlauf Köln (Cologne corporate run) is an after-work event in the north of Cologne: 5 kilometres once around the Fühlinger See lake, start and finish on the Ruderinsel (rowing island), followed by an awards ceremony and an after-run party until 10 pm (Source: firmenlauf-koeln.de, Infos zum Lauf). The last edition took place on Thursday, 7 May 2026, with more than 2,300 participants from over 123 companies (Source: firmenlauf-koeln.de, press release of 7 May 2026). The 2027 date has not been published yet (as of 3 October 2026). The organiser only says that registration will go online "in 2027" and that it will be announced on its website first (Source: firmenlauf-koeln.de, Anmeldung).

Firmenlauf Köln or B2Run Köln?

Cologne has two big corporate runs, and people mix them up. B2Run Köln takes place in September around the RheinEnergieSTADION, in 2026 with 20,000 participants from 930 companies (Source: b2run.de, press release Cologne 2026). The Firmenlauf Köln is a separate event run by n plus sport GmbH from Saarbrücken: much smaller, in spring, and at a lake instead of a stadium (Source: firmenlauf-koeln.de, imprint and home page).

The evening at the lake, hour by hour

If you are heading out to Fühlingen on a weekday, you need to know when to leave the office. This was the schedule on 7 May 2026 (Source: firmenlauf-koeln.de, Zeitplan):

Time What happens
from 2 pm Race packs and late registration at the info point
from 5 pm Supporting programme, showers and changing rooms open in the boathouse (until 8:30 pm)
5:30 pm Group warm-up in front of the stage
6 pm Start on the Ruderinsel
approx. 7:15 pm Last finishers
8 pm Awards ceremony on stage
8:30–10 pm Second DJ set, official end at 10 pm

The organiser recommends arriving at least an hour before the start (Source: firmenlauf-koeln.de, FAQ). For most teams that means leaving work around 4 pm and travelling out together. The bag drop opens at 5 pm and bags must be collected by 8 pm (Source: firmenlauf-koeln.de, FAQ). The team captain collects all race packs; in 2026 that was possible on the Wednesday before from 2 to 6 pm at the regatta tower, or on race day at the info tent (Source: firmenlauf-koeln.de, Startunterlagen).

Five kilometres, clockwise

The loop starts on the Ruderinsel, leads via Oranjehofstraße to the shore and then runs clockwise past the beach club and the high ropes course. There is water at kilometre 2.7. After that you circle the angling pond and, on the way back, run straight along the regatta course back onto the Ruderinsel and into the finish by the boathouse (Source: firmenlauf-koeln.de, Laufstrecke).

According to the organiser the course is flat, mostly paved and low-barrier, so it also suits people with disabilities (Source: firmenlauf-koeln.de, Laufstrecke). For pacing, the final straight matters most: along the regatta course you can see the finish long before you reach it. If you still have something left there, the last kilometre is where you gain places. Line up by pace at the start, faster runners at the front, joggers and walkers further back (Source: firmenlauf-koeln.de, participant info 2026). Nordic walking poles, buggies and dogs are not allowed (Source: firmenlauf-koeln.de, FAQ).

Who won on stage in 2026

Since 2026 there has been professional timing, and with it a proper team ranking. You don't need to register a separate trio: the three fastest people from each company are automatically combined into a women's, men's or mixed team (Source: firmenlauf-koeln.de, Wertungen). The 2026 winning times (Source: firmenlauf-koeln.de, press release of 7 May 2026):

Size and creativity count too. In 2026 the biggest team came from the REMONDIS group with 162 participants, ahead of Ford with 124 and the Johanniter Köln with 115. The "Azubi-Superstar" award for the most apprentices went to VET ZENTRUM KÖLN with six. The most creative outfits included "tax captains", Smurfs and a "construction site" from Straßen NRW (Source: firmenlauf-koeln.de, press release of 7 May 2026). Every team with more than 100 runners receives a team trophy (Source: firmenlauf-koeln.de, Wertungen).

What that means for your team: a small office won't win the biggest-team prize, but for the trio ranking three people who run 5 km in 20 to 22 minutes are enough. And the creativity prize needs no running speed at all.

What the team captain needs to know

You don't register individually but through your company: a team captain signs up all colleagues via a company login, and there is no limit on runners per company (Source: firmenlauf-koeln.de, FAQ). Companies, institutions, clubs, solo self-employed people and private individuals aged 15 and over can take part (Source: firmenlauf-koeln.de, FAQ).

For orientation, the 2026 key data; the 2027 figures are still to come:

For the evening, the captain can book a pitch or a tent as the team's base. In 2026 a 3 × 3 metre pitch cost €200 and a small team tent €150 (Source: firmenlauf-koeln.de, Team-Area). Important: you may not bring your own food or drinks onto the site, and the organiser reserves the right to charge up to €500. Instead there are vouchers in packs of ten, €40 for drinks and €50 for food, which remain valid the following year (Source: firmenlauf-koeln.de, Team-Catering). A small incentive for captains: if you grow your team by 10% on the previous year, you get a €25 voucher (Source: firmenlauf-koeln.de, Team-Captain).

If someone can't make race day, there is the Virtual Run: 5 km on your own route, tracked with the viRACE app between Wednesday and Sunday of race week, with its own results list (Source: firmenlauf-koeln.de, Virtual Run).

Counting back from the start gun: 5 km by early May

The organiser offers two six-week training plans, one for people with no running experience and one for those who already run once or twice a week (Source: firmenlauf-koeln.de, Training). Count them back from race day. If the 2027 date falls in early May again, as in 2026, preparation starts in late March, just as the evenings get lighter. The weeks before aren't wasted: if you jog easily for 20 to 30 minutes twice a week in February and March, or alternate walking and running, you won't start the plan from zero.

It's easiest in a group. A fixed slot after work, two or three colleagues, a loop through the nearest park: that's all a company team needs. If you want company outside the office, you'll find Lauftreffs (group runs) and run clubs with weekly meet-ups under Running in Cologne. And since 5 km quickly becomes a habit, take a look at the running events in Cologne afterwards, for example the UniLauf Köln in June, which also has a 4 × 2.5 km relay.

Getting to Cologne's north

Fühlinger See is in the north of the city, and you notice that on the motorway after work. The organiser recommends the S-Bahn: S 12 or S 15 towards Chorweiler to Wilhelm-Sollmann-Straße, or S 15 to Heimersdorf, then bus 122 to the Seeberg stop (Source: firmenlauf-koeln.de, Anreise). By car you come via the A 59 or A 4. Car park P2 at the lake is free; on P1 right next to the venue there was a limited number of spaces for €10 in 2026 (Source: firmenlauf-koeln.de, Anreise). If you come by bike, park it on the Ruderinsel and collect it by 10 pm (Source: firmenlauf-koeln.de, Anreise).

For every participant the organiser donates €1 to regional projects and its charity partner DKMS (Source: firmenlauf-koeln.de, Charity). Results and certificates are online from the first finisher onwards (Source: firmenlauf-koeln.de, FAQ).

Sources

Frequently asked questions

When is the Firmenlauf Köln 2027?
The 2027 date has not been published yet (as of 3 October 2026). The last edition took place on Thursday, 7 May 2026, at 6 pm at Fühlinger See. According to the organiser, registration will open in 2027.
What is the difference between Firmenlauf Köln and B2Run Köln?
They are two events by different organisers. The Firmenlauf Köln (n plus sport) is a 5 km loop around Fühlinger See in spring, with more than 2,300 participants in 2026. B2Run Köln takes place in September at the RheinEnergieSTADION, with 20,000 participants in 2026.
How much does the Firmenlauf Köln cost?
In 2026 the entry fee was €26 per person plus VAT. Prices for 2027 have not been set yet. Cancellation is not possible, but places can be transferred within the company.
Can I take part without a company?
Yes. According to the organiser, clubs, solo self-employed people and private individuals can enter as well as companies. The minimum age is 15.
How do I get to the Firmenlauf Köln at Fühlinger See?
The recommended route is the S-Bahn (S 12 or S 15) to Wilhelm-Sollmann-Straße or Heimersdorf, then bus 122 to Seeberg. By car, car park P2 is free; P1 next to the venue cost €10 in 2026.
Is the Firmenlauf Köln timed?
Yes, with professional timing since 2026. Each company's three fastest runners are automatically ranked as a women's, men's or mixed team. There are also prizes for the biggest teams, the most apprentices and the most creative outfits.

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