Running Events in Bochum 2027: Stadtwerke Halbmarathon, Kemnader Seelauf and AOK-Firmenlauf

Kemnader Seelauf in May, the AOK-Firmenlauf on a July evening, triathlon in the Wiesental and the Stadtwerke Halbmarathon through the city centre in September: all the key running events in Bochum for 2027 – plus what's still coming before New Year's Eve 2026.

Chris Mühlnickel · 30 September 2026 · 7 min read

Running Events in Bochum 2027: Stadtwerke Halbmarathon, Kemnader Seelauf and AOK-Firmenlauf

Bochum runs mainly in the south, at the Kemnader See. From the Hafen Heveney marina and the Seglerheim (sailing clubhouse) on the Hevener Straße, a Volkslauf starts in May, a Firmenlauf on a July evening and, at Halloween, an evening run on the lit Ruhr-In-Line course. The other events are spread across the city: around the Vonovia Ruhrstadion, through the Volkspark Langendreer in the east, through the outdoor pool and park in the Wiesental in Weitmar and, once a year, right through the city centre, when the Stadtwerke Halbmarathon starts at the Bermuda3Eck. Bochum has no marathon – the flagship of the running year is the half marathon.

This overview shows which events are coming up and who they suit. Where the organizer has already confirmed the 2027 date, it's listed; otherwise we give the date of the last edition for orientation. As of 30 September 2026.

Which event suits you?

Your goal Events that fit
Your first race bib 5 km at the Solidaritätslauf, 5 km at the Kemnader Seelauf, 5 km at the Stadtwerke Halbmarathon
Your first half marathon Stadtwerke Halbmarathon
A new 10 km personal best Wittener Sparkassen-Abendlauf, Kemnader Seelauf, Volkslauf im Volkspark Langendreer
Running in the evening Wittener Sparkassen-Abendlauf, AOK-Firmenlauf Bochum
With colleagues AOK-Firmenlauf Bochum, Relay at the Stadtwerke Halbmarathon
For a good cause Solidaritätslauf Aktiv gegen Brustkrebs, Kemnader Seelauf, Stadtwerke Halbmarathon
Through the city without the clock Bochum Urban Run
Triathlon Stadtwerke Bochum-Triathlon, IRONMAN 70.3 Duisburg

Still in 2026: Halloween evening run at the Kemnader See

Bochum's running year 2026 is almost over, and the half marathon already took place in September. But one date is still to come, and it falls on the evening of Halloween.

On 31 October 2026 the Wittener Sparkassen-Abendlauf (evening run) takes place for the twelfth time. The name is a little misleading: the organizer is the triathlon section of TG Witten, but according to the race announcement, start and finish are in Bochum, at the Seglerheim at the Kemnader See (Hevener Straße 307). Only the turnaround loop near Oveney is on Witten's territory. You run on the lit Ruhr-In-Line course along the lake towards Oveney and back, the 10 km as two laps. There are also 5 km and 5 km walking. The course is DLV-measured and eligible for the rankings – if you want to run one more 10 km time at the end of the season, this is your chance (triwit.de).

Spring: Ruhrstadion, Langendreer and the Kemnader See

In April and May, three events follow in quick succession, all with manageable distances and races for children.

First up is the Solidaritätslauf Aktiv gegen Brustkrebs – Bochum läuft (solidarity run against breast cancer). The association Aktiv gegen Brustkrebs Bochum has organised it since 2011, on 19 April 2026 for the 14th time. The start is at the athletics facility by the Vonovia Ruhrstadion; you run 5 km or walk 2.5 km, and the TeddyRun is for the children; the children's race benefits the children's and youth hospice service. With no time pressure and a good cause, this is a friendly setting for your first race bib. The 2027 date is still to come (aktivgegenbrustkrebs.de).

A week later, on 26 April 2026, the Volkslauf im Volkspark Langendreer took place for the 38th time. The athletics section of SV Langendreer 04 has organised it in the east of Bochum since 1986, with 10 and 5 km plus children's and school races over 1.5 km, 1 km and 350 m. The start is in the Volkspark on the Dördelstraße. The organizer hasn't published a 2027 date yet (my.raceresult.com).

Already confirmed is the Kemnader Seelauf (lake run), officially the Volkslauf am Kemnader Stausee: the 24th edition takes place on 2 May 2027, and registration is already open. LGO Bochum starts it at the Seglerhaus at the Hafen Heveney in Stiepel; the 10 km lead along the lake in two laps, and there are also 5 km, a 2 km school race and a Bambinilauf (race for the youngest). The course is DLV-measured, and part of the entry fees goes to a Bochum children's charity (lgobochum.de). If you're planning the half marathon in autumn, you can test your 10 km form here in spring.

June: Urban Run through the city

In June, things move away from the lake and across Bochum. The Bochum Urban Run starts at the RuhrCongress and leads over around 10 km past Bochum landmarks such as the Deutsches Bergbau-Museum (German Mining Museum). There's no timing, and running and walking are equally welcome – it's about experiencing the city, not the watch. The Urban Run last took place on 14 June 2026; for 2027 the organizer has so far only announced "Stay Tuned", and there's no date yet (urban-series.de).

With your team: AOK-Firmenlauf at the Kemnader See

In early July, the Kemnader See becomes the after-work meeting point. At the AOK-Firmenlauf Bochum (corporate run), teams from companies and institutions run or walk 5.5 km on the north side of the lake; the start is at the Heveney car park, and the finish is at the Hafen Heveney. The 16th edition on 2 July 2026 was sold out with around 4,000 participants from 230 companies (bochum-journal.de). The organizer hasn't published the 2027 date yet (aok-firmenlauf-bochum.de). If you want to take part with your colleagues, keep an eye on registration.

Triathlon in the Wiesental

A week after the Firmenlauf, it's time to swim in Weitmar. At the Stadtwerke Bochum-Triathlon of SV Blau-Weiß Bochum, you swim in the 50 m pool of the Wiesental-Bad, the bike course leads along the Königsallee, and the run is in the Wiesental park. There's a standard and a sprint distance, a taster triathlon with 400 m swimming, 10 km cycling and 2.5 km running, plus youth and school competitions. The triathlon last took place on 12 July 2026, and the 2027 date is still to come (bochum-triathlon.de). The taster distance in the pool is an uncomplicated way in for anyone who wants to try triathlon.

September: Stadtwerke Halbmarathon

The biggest day in Bochum's running year comes in early September. The Stadtwerke Halbmarathon Bochum (half marathon) starts and finishes at the Bermuda3Eck in the city centre, and the courses lead through the centre. Alongside the 21.1 km there's a half marathon relay for four people, 10 km, 5 km, a 2.2 km school race and a Bambinilauf. According to the organizer, around 4,000 people take part. The event is organised by TV Wattenscheid 01, and since 2003 it has supported an aid project for AIDS orphans in sub-Saharan Africa (stadtwerke-halbmarathon.de).

The half marathon last took place on 6 September 2026, and the organizer hasn't published the 2027 date yet. For a first half marathon, this is a good setting: you run through your own city, and if you don't feel ready for the whole distance yet, you can share it in the relay. The long training runs fall in summer – the flat paths at the Kemnader See are ideal for them.

Nearby: IRONMAN 70.3 Duisburg

There's no IRONMAN race in Bochum itself. The nearest one is around 35 km to the west: the IRONMAN 70.3 Duisburg on 29 August 2027. The swim is 1.9 km on the regatta course in the Sportpark Duisburg, the 90 km on the bike lead across the Brücke der Solidarität (Bridge of Solidarity) towards Moers, and it ends with a half marathon on three laps in the Sportpark (ironman.com). If the Bochum-Triathlon has given you a taste for more, you'll find the middle distance right on your doorstep here.

Planning tips for your running year

Many 2027 dates are still to come. So far, only LGO Bochum for the Kemnader Seelauf (2 May 2027) and IRONMAN for Duisburg (29 August 2027) have published their dates. For the other events, a look at 2026 helps: the Solidaritätslauf and the Volkslauf Langendreer in April, the Urban Run in June, the Firmenlauf and the triathlon in July, the half marathon in September and the evening run at Halloween.

Timing matters for the Firmenlauf. The AOK-Firmenlauf was sold out in 2026 with around 4,000 participants from 230 companies (bochum-journal.de). If you want to start with your team in 2027, register as soon as registration opens.

Registration is mostly online. The Solidaritätslauf, the Volkslauf Langendreer and the Kemnader Seelauf use race result, the triathlon uses run-timing. For the 2027 Kemnader Seelauf you can already sign up.

The Kemnader See is Bochum's running stage. The Kemnader Seelauf, the AOK-Firmenlauf and the Wittener Sparkassen-Abendlauf all start at the Hafen Heveney or at the Seglerheim on the Hevener Straße. The city centre belongs to the half marathon and the Urban Run, the Wiesental to the triathlon.

Don't train alone

Bochum's year has one clear goal: the Stadtwerke Halbmarathon in September, for which you build up your mileage over the summer – with the Kemnader Seelauf in May as a fitness test. The long runs are easier in a group, and at the start it's nicer when you know someone. Bochum has running groups and run clubs that train together. You'll find the right group near you among the running groups and run clubs in Bochum.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

When is the 2027 Stadtwerke Halbmarathon Bochum?
The 2027 date hasn't been published yet. In 2026 the half marathon took place on 6 September, with start and finish at the Bermuda3Eck. Alongside the 21.1 km there's a relay for four people, 10 km, 5 km, a school race and a Bambinilauf (stadtwerke-halbmarathon.de).
Is there a marathon in Bochum?
No. The flagship of Bochum's running year is the Stadtwerke Halbmarathon in September, with around 4,000 participants according to the organizer (stadtwerke-halbmarathon.de).
When is the 2027 Kemnader Seelauf?
On 2 May 2027, for the 24th time. The start is at the Seglerhaus at the Hafen Heveney in Bochum-Stiepel, and there are 10 km (two laps), 5 km, a 2 km school race and a Bambinilauf. Registration is already open (lgobochum.de).
When is the 2027 AOK-Firmenlauf Bochum?
The 2027 date is still to come. In 2026 the Firmenlauf took place on 2 July at the Kemnader See and was sold out with around 4,000 participants from 230 companies (bochum-journal.de).
Does the Wittener Sparkassen-Abendlauf take place in Witten or in Bochum?
According to the race announcement, start and finish are in Bochum, at the Seglerheim at the Kemnader See (Hevener Straße 307). Only the turnaround loop near Oveney is on Witten's territory. The 12th edition is on 31 October 2026 (triwit.de).
Which running events are still coming up in Bochum in 2026?
The Wittener Sparkassen-Abendlauf on 31 October 2026 at the Kemnader See, with 10 km, 5 km and 5 km walking on a DLV-measured course (triwit.de).

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