VOLVO Tierparklauf 2027: 5 and 10 km Through Berlin's Zoo

On 11 and 12 September 2027, thousands of runners loop through Tierpark Berlin past monkeys and flamingos, with free zoo entry on your bib. Here are the schedule, prices and how to turn it into a family day.

Daniel Gruber · 4 October 2026 · 7 min read

VOLVO Tierparklauf 2027: 5 and 10 km Through Berlin's Zoo

The VOLVO Tierparklauf takes place on Saturday and Sunday, 11 and 12 September 2027, entirely inside Tierpark Berlin, the large zoo in Friedrichsfelde in the east of the city (source: berlin-laeuft.de, Tierparklauf and participant info). According to the organiser, the course runs "past monkeys, flamingos and more", and your race bib gets you into the zoo for free (source: berlin-laeuft.de, Tierparklauf). That makes it one of the few events where a race and a family day out do not get in each other's way.

In 2026, 8,605 runners started across both days (source: berlin-laeuft.de, Tierparklauf). The first edition was in 2012 (source: ibid.).

Five races, twice

The Tierparklauf is not one race with side events but a programme that runs almost identically on two days. This was the 2026 schedule (source: davengo.com, 2026 registration):

Time Saturday, 12 Sept 2026 Sunday, 13 Sept 2026
9:30 am 10 km 10 km
11:30 am 5 km, race 1 5 km, race 1
12:45 pm 700 m Bambinilauf (toddlers' race) 700 m Bambinilauf
1:05 pm 1.2 km Kinderlauf (kids' race) 1.2 km Kinderlauf
1:30 pm 5 km, race 2 · 2 x 5 km Generationen-Team 5 km walking · 2 x 5 km Generationen-Team

The same times appear in the current participant information, which already lists the 2027 bib pick-up (source: berlin-laeuft.de, participant info). The 2027 registration shows the same split: the second 5 km start is Saturday only, walking is Sunday only, and every other race runs on both days (source: davengo.com, 2027 registration).

For you that means you can pick the day that suits your weekend. And if you come with children, you can choose your own start so there is time before or after the kids' race.

A day at the zoo: how it might look

Start and finish are near Schloss Friedrichsfelde, and access is only via the Schloss Friedrichsfelde entrance (source: berlin-laeuft.de, participant info), so the whole day happens in one place. Here is an example for a family with two adults and primary-school children, based on the 2026 schedule:

According to the participant info, the programme ended around 3 pm (source: berlin-laeuft.de, participant info). Prams and buggies are not allowed on the course (source: ibid.), so plan who looks after the youngest while you race.

The Generationen-Team

The category you will hardly find anywhere else is the Generationen-Team: two people run 5 km each at the same time. One team member must be born in 2017 or earlier, and the other must be at least 20 years older or younger (source: berlin-laeuft.de, participant info). The team result is the sum of both net times. You start together with the 5 km field but are not ranked in the 5 km results (source: ibid.). Parent and child, grandchild and grandmother, a young colleague and a long-standing Lauftreff (group run) regular: the rule allows plenty. There is a podium for the top three teams; for the podium places the organiser names gun time (source: ibid.).

For a running group, it is a nice way to bring along members who would not otherwise race. A 5 km lap with no traffic is manageable for younger children too, if you practise the distance together a few times beforehand.

The course: one lap, 5 kilometres

One lap is 5 km; the 10 km runs it twice (source: berlin-laeuft.de, participant info). There is an aid station for everyone at km 2.5, and for the 10 km also at 5 and 7.5 km; apples, water and beer wait at the finish (source: ibid.). Time limits are 60 minutes for 5 km, 90 minutes for 10 km and 70 minutes for walking (source: ibid.). That makes the Tierparklauf a good choice for a first race; the limits are generous.

The organiser does not publish elevation or surface details. One practical note: on park paths shared by thousands of people, narrow sections get busy. If you are racing for time, start near the front; if you are there to enjoy it, look left and right.

Prices: the earlier, the cheaper

Registration for 2027 has been open since the 2026 race weekend (source: berlin-laeuft.de, 2026 recap), via davengo, linked from the official Tierparklauf website. Prices rise by date (source: berlin-laeuft.de, prices and info):

Race until 31 Oct 2026 until 31 Mar 2027 until 28 Aug 2027 Late entry
5 km run or walk €29 €32 €37 €45
10 km €37 €42 €47 €55
Generationen-Team €52 €60 €68 €75
Toddlers' and kids' race €15 €15 €15 €20

The cheapest early-bird price (€27 for 5 km, €32 for 10 km) ended on 20 September 2026. Booking by the end of October still saves you €8 on the 5 km and €10 on the 10 km compared with summer. In registration, the Generationen-Team is a race of its own ("2 x 5 km Generationenteam") with a single price (source: davengo.com, 2027 registration). The fee includes timing, bag storage, refreshments, a medal, an online certificate and zoo entry (source: ibid.).

Children born in 2016 or earlier can run the 5 km, those born in 2014 or earlier the 10 km. The Bambinilauf is for children born 2020 to 2022, the Kinderlauf for 2015 to 2019 (source: ibid.). Register early for the kids' races in particular: in 2026 they sold out on both days (source: davengo.com, 2026 registration).

There are no refunds unless you add the money-back guarantee for €8 when you register. You can, however, transfer your place to someone else in your account until late registration opens; on site the swap costs €7.50 (source: berlin-laeuft.de, prices and info).

Getting there and picking up your bib

Bibs are handed out on Friday, 10 September 2027, from 10 am to 6 pm at Decathlon in the Rathaus-Passagen shopping centre (source: berlin-laeuft.de, participant info). To reach the zoo, take the U5 to Tierpark, about a five-minute walk, or trams 21, 27, 37 and M17 to Am Tierpark. Parking is limited; the organiser recommends the Rathaus-Passagen car park (source: ibid.).

Same organiser, different event

The Tierparklauf is run by the team behind "Berlin läuft!" ("Berlin runs!"), which also stages the S 25 Berlin at the Olympic Stadium in spring. The two could hardly be more different: the S 25 is a city race built around 25 km with a stadium finish, the Tierparklauf a compact family weekend with distances up to 10 km.

Two weeks after the Tierparklauf, the Berlin Marathon follows on 26 September 2027 (source: scc-events.com, event calendar). If you are cheering there rather than running, the zoo makes a good end to your own season. For training until then, Lauftreffs and run clubs are listed under running in Berlin. All other races are in our overview of running events in Berlin.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

When is the Tierparklauf 2027?
On Saturday and Sunday, 11 and 12 September 2027, at Tierpark Berlin in Friedrichsfelde (source: berlin-laeuft.de, Tierparklauf).
Which distances are there?
10 km, 5 km running or walking, a 2 x 5 km generations team, a 1.2 km kids' race and a 700 m toddlers' race (source: berlin-laeuft.de, Tierparklauf).
Is zoo entry included?
Yes, your bib gets you in for free. Companions get 10% off, and one adult per child gets in free with the kids' races (source: berlin-laeuft.de, prices and info).
How much does it cost?
Until 31 October 2026 the 5 km costs €29, the 10 km €37 and the generations team €52. Prices then rise in two steps until 28 August 2027, with late entry the most expensive (source: berlin-laeuft.de, prices and info).
How do I get there?
Take the U5 to Tierpark or trams 21, 27, 37 and M17 to Am Tierpark. Access is only via the Schloss Friedrichsfelde entrance (source: berlin-laeuft.de, participant info).

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