Running Events in Bremen 2027: From the Werderseelauf to the swb-Marathon

An ultra around the Werdersee in March, the Brückenlauf on a July evening, a stair run in the Weserstadion, triathlon in the Europahafen and the swb-Marathon back on 3 October: all the key running events in Bremen for 2027 – plus what's still coming before New Year's Eve 2026.

Chris Mühlnickel · 29 September 2026 · 9 min read

Running Events in Bremen 2027: From the Werderseelauf to the swb-Marathon

In Bremen, the running year has a centre, and it's a lake: around the Werdersee on the Stadtwerder, people run ultra distances in March, across bridges in July, in costume in autumn and into the new year on New Year's Eve. At the Krähenberg right next to it, the course leads through obstacles, and in December it goes cross-country. The second stage is the Weser with the Weserstadion, where corporate runs finish and once a year a stair run leads through tunnels, boxes and stands. And then there's the day the whole city runs: the swb-Marathon, with start and finish on the Marktplatz in front of the town hall.

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 29 September 2026.

Which event suits you?

Your goal Events that fit
Your first race bib 5 km at the Silvesterlauf, Frauenlauf Bremen, 5 km at the Bremer Brückenlauf
Your first half marathon Half marathon at the swb-Marathon, Bremer Brückenlauf
Your marathon swb-Marathon Bremen
Ultra and long distances Werderseelauf, Halloween-Run
A new personal best Werderseelauf
Running in the evening Bremer Brückenlauf, Firmenlauf zur Spätschicht
With colleagues B2Run Bremen, Firmenlauf zur Spätschicht
For a good cause (L)auf zur Venus, Frauenlauf Bremen, Firmenlauf zur Spätschicht, Schokocross
Something completely different Weserstadionlauf, Crow Mountain Survival, Halloween-Run, Underwear run at the Brückenlauf
Triathlon GEWOBA City Triathlon, IRONMAN Hamburg

Still in 2026: Halloween, Christmas and New Year's Eve

In 2026 the swb-Marathon already took place in September (more on that below), so the rest of the year belongs to the Werdersee – with three events where fun comes before the finishing time.

On 31 October 2026 the Halloween-Run-Bremen starts at the Werdersee between the Finnbahn (woodchip trail) and the Grillwiese (barbecue meadow), according to the organizer in its sixth edition. Costumes are part of it, and the race names fit: from the 1 km Spuklauf (spook run) through the "Halbevilthon" (8.333 km) and the "Evilthon" (16.666 km) to the "Monsterthon" over 25 km and the "Splatterthon" over the full marathon distance. In 2025 there were around 566 names in the results list (halloween-run-bremen.de).

On Boxing Day, the ATS Buntentor invites you to the Schokocross (chocolate cross) at the Kuhhirten sports ground on the Stadtwerder. The 2 km loop leads across the sports ground, along the Werdersee shore and over the Krähenberg, over 8.2, 4.2 or 2.2 km. If you take part, you bring Christmas sweets for the Bremer Tafel (Bremen's food bank). The run has existed since 2007; for 2026, the race calendar of the Bremen athletics association lists 26 December (atsbuntentor.de).

To close the year, it's back to the Werdersee on 31 December 2026. The Silvesterlauf Bremen (New Year's Eve run) starts around midday over 10 km, 5 km and a low-barrier 2.5 km loop (walking allowed too). Costumes are explicitly welcome. With around 1,900 names in the 2025 results list, it's one of the city's bigger runs and a good occasion for your first race bib (silvesterlauf-bremen.de).

Spring: laps around the Werdersee

The Werdersee is Bremen's home loop, and in March it becomes a race course. At the Werderseelauf (Werdersee run) on 21 March 2027, according to the organizer the seventh edition, a flat 8.33 km loop leads around the lake. The distances range from 5 and 10 km through 25 and 33.333 km to the marathon and the 50 km ultra, and according to the race information, 100 km will be added for the first time in 2027. The courses are DLV-measured (German Athletics Association) and eligible for the ranking lists, and the German 50 km road running championships were held here in 2024 and 2026. In 2026 there were around 1,480 individual entries in the results list (werderseelauf.de). This is ideal for personal bests and your first ultra: every 8.33 km you pass the start and finish.

Smaller and completely free of pressure is the Frauenlauf Bremen (Bremen women's run) on 23 May 2027, the fifth edition. The start is at the Weserwehr in Hastedt, and you run or walk 8.5 or 5 km; there are also children's and inclusion runs. You decide yourself when you register whether you want to be timed and ranked. The money raised goes to the Bremer Krebsgesellschaft (Bremen Cancer Society) (frauenlauf-bremen.de).

Summer: bridges and the Weserstadion

In summer, the Weser moves to the centre.

The Bremer Brückenlauf (Bremen bridge run) on 3 July 2027 is an evening run: according to the 2027 race information, the half marathon starts at 5:45 pm, with 10 and 5 km following shortly after. The courses cross bridges over the Weser, the Kleine Weser and the Werdersee. A Bremen quirk is the 5 km Unterwäschelauf (underwear run) for adults, which starts before the main programme. In 2027 the Brückenlauf takes place for the tenth time, and in 2026 there were around 1,150 names in the results list (bremer-brueckenlauf.de).

A month later, it's into the Weserstadion. At the Weserstadionlauf – In and Out on 7 August 2027, you run entirely inside the stadium, over more than 1,050 steps, through the players' tunnel, the pitch area, boxes and stands. The finish is in the upper tier of the east stand. You can choose between "Das volle Programm" (the full programme) over 4.35 km and "Stadion-Romantik" (stadium romance) over 2 km, with starts in waves. The format is young: 2026 was its second edition (weserstadionlauf.de).

With your team: B2Run and Spätschicht

Bremen has two corporate runs, and they could hardly be more different.

B2Run Bremen is the big one: according to the organizer, around 11,500 people took part on 2 June 2026. The roughly 6 km loop leads along the Weser riverbank, the finish is in the Weserstadion, and you run or walk as a team. The organizer hasn't published the 2027 date yet (b2run.de).

More family-like is the Bremer Firmenlauf zur Spätschicht (Bremen corporate run to the late shift), which took place for the 19th time in 2026. Teams of five or more run or walk around 5 km around the Weserwehr after work, starting in the Hastedter Park. For every entry, €5 goes to a non-profit project from Bremen and the surrounding area, and afterwards there's a party. Traditionally the run is held on a Thursday in June; in 2026 it was moved from 25 June to 20 August. According to a report by hdsports, around 2,700 people took part in 2025. There's no date for 2027 yet (bremer-firmenlauf.com).

Triathlon in the Europahafen

At the GEWOBA City Triathlon Bremen, you swim right in the middle of the city: in the Europahafen in the Überseestadt. The bike course leads through the Überseestadt, Walle and Gröpelingen, and the run goes along the Weser towards the Schlachte. On offer are the Olympic distance, a sprint, a Volkstriathlon (novice triathlon) over 500 m, 20 km and 5 km, and relays. According to the organizer, the 14th edition on 9 August 2026 set a participation record, with around 1,100 individual entries and 170 relays in the results. The next date is 8 August 2027 (citytriathlonbremen.de). For getting started, the Volkstriathlon or a relay is a good fit.

Autumn: the swb-Marathon is back on 3 October

Bremen's autumn begins at the Krähenberg. Crow Mountain Survival is the city's only obstacle run: natural and artificial obstacles lead around the Krähenberg on the Stadtwerder, and on the 10 and 15 km courses you have to swim across the Werdersee. Calmer options are the 5 km or the 2.5 km taster run. The 10th edition is on 12 September 2027 (crow-mountain-survival.de).

Three weeks later comes the biggest day in Bremen's running year. The swb-Marathon Bremen traditionally takes place around German Unity Day. In 2026 it was brought forward to 13 September because Bremen hosted the central German Unity celebrations. In 2027 it returns to its usual date: the 22nd swb-Marathon starts on Sunday, 3 October 2027, at 9:30 am on the Marktplatz in front of the town hall. The course leads from the Werdersee and the Weserwehr via the Rhododendron-Park and the Bürgerpark to the Überseestadt and through the Weserstadion. Alongside the marathon, there's the AOK-Halbmarathon (half marathon), the HIRSCH-10-km-Lauf (10 km run) and a children's run. According to the sports senator's welcome address on the organizer's website, 15,000 people registered across all races in 2026, a record. Registration for 2027 is open (swb-marathon.com).

For a good cause

Charity runs have a long tradition in Bremen, and the best-known one isn't a race at all. At the (L)auf zur Venus (run to Venus) organized by the Bremer Krebsgesellschaft and the Landessportbund (state sports federation), individuals and teams collect kilometres for three hours, from 10 am to 1 pm – running, walking, on the bike or in a rowing boat. The meeting point is the Marcusbrunnen in the Bürgerpark, but you can also take part from anywhere else. For every kilometre, Bremen companies donate 50 cents, and the money goes to exercise programmes for people with cancer. According to the Senate press office, the 19th round was already held in 2019. Most recently the run took place on 20 September 2026, and there's no date for 2027 yet (krebsgesellschaft-hb.de).

A good cause often runs along elsewhere in Bremen too: the Frauenlauf raises money for the Krebsgesellschaft, at the Firmenlauf zur Spätschicht €5 per entry goes to a project from the region, and for the Schokocross you bring sweets for the Bremer Tafel.

Nearby: IRONMAN Hamburg

Bremen has no race over the full triathlon distance. The nearest one is around 95 km away as the crow flies: the IRONMAN Hamburg on 6 June 2027. The 3.8 km swim is in the Alster from the Jungfernstieg, followed by 180 km on the bike via the Speicherstadt and the Vier- und Marschlande and a marathon over four laps along the Alster, with the finish on the Rathausmarkt. In 2026 just under 3,000 age-group athletes registered. Main registration for 2027 is sold out (ironman.com).

Planning tips for your running year

Registering early saves money. At many Bremen events, the entry fee rises in stages as the date gets closer. At the 2027 swb-Marathon, the marathon costs €69 to €99 depending on when you register, the half marathon €49 to €79 and the 10 km €32 to €47 (swb-marathon.com). At the Werderseelauf, you pay €37.50 for the marathon until 31 October 2026 and €65 on race day (werderseelauf.de). The half marathon at the Brückenlauf costs €22.50 to €50 (bremer-brueckenlauf.de). The highest prices always apply to entries on race day.

Many events, one organizer. The Werderseelauf, Frauenlauf, Brückenlauf, Firmenlauf zur Spätschicht, Crow Mountain Survival, Halloween-Run and Silvesterlauf are all organized by the same team, and at the Weserstadionlauf it's a partner.

Three places shape Bremen's running year. The Werdersee with the Stadtwerder and the Krähenberg is the setting for the Werderseelauf, Brückenlauf, Crow Mountain Survival, Halloween-Run, Schokocross and Silvesterlauf. The Weser with the Weserwehr and the Weserstadion stands for the Frauenlauf, Firmenlauf zur Spätschicht, B2Run and Weserstadionlauf. And the city centre with the Marktplatz and the Überseestadt belongs to the swb-Marathon and the City Triathlon.

Don't train alone

Bremen's year has two big goals: the Werderseelauf in March, for which you train through the winter, and the swb-Marathon in October, for which the long runs fall in the summer. That's easier in a group. Bremen has plenty of running groups (Lauftreffs) and run clubs that head out together at the Werdersee, along the Weser or in the Bürgerpark. You'll find the right group near you among the running groups and run clubs in Bremen.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

When is the 2027 swb-Marathon Bremen?
On Sunday, 3 October 2027, starting at 9:30 am on the Marktplatz in front of the town hall. Alongside the marathon, there's the AOK-Halbmarathon (half marathon), the HIRSCH-10-km-Lauf (10 km run) and a children's run. The marathon costs €69 to €99 depending on when you register (swb-marathon.com).
Why was the 2026 swb-Marathon already in September?
It normally takes place around German Unity Day. In 2026 Bremen hosted the central German Unity celebrations, so the marathon was brought forward to 13 September. In 2027 it's back on 3 October.
Which half marathons are there in Bremen?
The AOK-Halbmarathon at the swb-Marathon on 3 October 2027 and the Bremer Brückenlauf on 3 July 2027, an evening run across bridges over the Weser, the Kleine Weser and the Werdersee. The half marathon at the Brückenlauf costs €22.50 to €50 depending on when you register (bremer-brueckenlauf.de).
Is there an ultra run in Bremen?
Yes, the Werderseelauf on 21 March 2027, on a flat, DLV-measured 8.33 km loop around the Werdersee. Distances include the marathon, 50 km and, according to the 2027 race information, 100 km for the first time. In 2024 and 2026 the run hosted the German 50 km championships (werderseelauf.de).
What is the biggest corporate run in Bremen?
B2Run Bremen: according to the organizer, around 11,500 people took part on 2 June 2026, and the finish is in the Weserstadion. The 2027 date is still to come. Smaller is the Bremer Firmenlauf zur Spätschicht for teams of five or more around the Weserwehr.
Which running events are still coming up in Bremen in 2026?
The Halloween-Run at the Werdersee on 31 October, the Schokocross on the Stadtwerder on 26 December (according to the race calendar of the Bremen athletics association) and the Silvesterlauf at the Werdersee on 31 December.

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