When is the 2027 Marathon around the Baldeneysee?

The 2027 date hasn't been published yet. The 64th edition of the Westenergie Marathon – Rund um den Baldeneysee takes place on 11 October 2026, with start and finish at Seaside Beach. Alongside the marathon there's the Seerunde over 18.3 km and a relay marathon for teams of four (westenergie-marathon.de).

When is the 2027 E.ON Firmenlauf Essen?

On 9 June 2027, for the 17th time. The course is 5 km through Rüttenscheid with the finish in the Grugapark, and an adjusted route through the park has been announced. In 2026, 16,000 people from 616 companies took part, and the event was sold out (essener-firmenlauf.de).

Which half marathons are there in Essen?

The TUSEM Blumensaat-Lauf on 21 November 2026 on a flat, DLV-measured out-and-back course along the south shore of the Baldeneysee (mkradio.de/blumensaat), and the RUNschnellweg on 7 November 2026, a night run on the RS1 cycle superhighway with start and finish in Essen (runschnellweg.de).

When is the 2027 Welterbelauf Zollverein?

On 18 September 2027, for the twelfth time. The start is in the evening at the Kokerei Zollverein, and the main race is 10 km, capped at 600 starters. There's also the Pütt-Staffel relay, 5 km, 2.5 km, walking and children's races. Registration is open (welterbelauf-zollverein.de).

Is there an IRONMAN near Essen?

Yes, the IRONMAN 70.3 Duisburg on 29 August 2027, around 20 km west of Essen. The swim is 1.9 km on the regatta course in the Sportpark Duisburg, followed by 90 km on the bike towards Moers and a half marathon in the Sportpark (ironman.com).

Which running events are still on in Essen in 2026?

The Essener Seelauf at the Baldeneysee on 3 October, the Marathon around the Baldeneysee on 11 October, the RUNschnellweg on 7 November, the TUSEM Blumensaat-Lauf on 21 November and the Essener Silvesterlauf at Zollverein on 31 December.

Running Events in Essen 2027: Marathon at the Baldeneysee, Firmenlauf and Welterbelauf

Herz-Kreislauf at Zollverein on 1 May, the E.ON Firmenlauf with 16,000 participants last time in June, the Welterbelauf at the coking plant in September and the marathon around the Baldeneysee: all the key running events in Essen for 2027 – plus what's still coming before New Year's Eve 2026.

Chris Mühlnickel · 30 September 2026 · 9 min read

Running Events in Essen 2027: Marathon at the Baldeneysee, Firmenlauf and Welterbelauf

Essen runs between water and industrial history. In the south lies the Baldeneysee, whose shores the marathon loops around, where a lake run heads towards Heisingen in October and where a half marathon starts at the Hardenbergufer in Kupferdreh in November. In the north, the Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site is the stage for no fewer than three events: on 1 May, on a September evening at the coking plant and on New Year's Eve. In between lie the Grugapark, where the Firmenlauf finishes and the Onkolauf takes place, the Krupp-Park and the Niederfeldsee in Altendorf, the forest in Bredeney and the RS1 cycle superhighway, where people run with head torches in November.

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 Herz-Kreislauf, 5 km at the AllbauLauf, 5 km at the Silvesterlauf, Onkolauf
Your first half marathon	TUSEM Blumensaat-Lauf, RUNschnellweg
Your marathon	Marathon around the Baldeneysee
A new personal best	TUSEM Blumensaat-Lauf, Marathon around the Baldeneysee
Fit through the winter	TUSEM Winter-Waldlauf, Essener Silvesterlauf
Running in the evening and at night	RUNschnellweg, Welterbelauf Zollverein
With colleagues	E.ON Firmenlauf Essen, Förderturmlauf, Relay marathon
For a good cause	Herz-Kreislauf Essen, Förderturmlauf, Onkolauf
Something completely different	RUNschnellweg, Essener Seelauf, Pütt-Staffel at the Welterbelauf
Triathlon	IRONMAN 70.3 Duisburg

Still in 2026: Seelauf and marathon at the Baldeneysee

October belongs to the Baldeneysee – first on a small scale, then a week later with the biggest date in Essen's running calendar.

On German Unity Day, 3 October 2026, the Essener Seelauf (lake run) by Team Essen 99 starts at the Regattahaus on Freiherr-vom-Stein-Straße. The 14.2 km lead along the shore of the Baldeneysee towards Heisingen, followed by breakfast and live music. The field is deliberately kept small (team-essen99.de). If you're looking for an unusual distance and want to experience the lake without the crowds, this is the one for you.

On 11 October 2026 comes the Westenergie Marathon – Rund um den Baldeneysee (around the Baldeneysee) in its 64th edition. The marathon has existed since 1963 and is organized by TUSEM Essen. Start and finish are at Seaside Beach, and the course is flat, paved and goes once around the lake. Alongside the 42.195 km there's the Seerunde (lake loop) over 18.3 km and a relay marathon for teams of four. The participant limit is 1,200 in the marathon and 1,800 in the Seerunde (westenergie-marathon.de). The Seerunde is a good intermediate step for anyone who finds the half marathon too short and the marathon still too long, and the relay gets four people over the full distance together. The organizer hasn't published the 2027 date yet; last year's edition took place on 12 October 2025.

Still in 2026: head torches, the south shore and New Year's Eve

After that it gets dark, flat and festive: three very different events are on before the end of the year.

On 7 November 2026, Essen runs into the night at the RUNschnellweg. You run with a head torch on the unlit RS1 cycle superhighway between Essen and Mülheim, as an out-and-back course with turning points towards Mülheim. Start and finish are in Essen at FUNKE Medien on Jakob-Funke-Platz. You can choose between a half marathon, 10 km, 5 km and a 5 km family mode. In mid-September the organizer reported more than 2,500 registrations (runschnellweg.de). The format has existed since 2021 – for most people it's likely to be their first event in the dark.

Two weeks later, on 21 November 2026, TUSEM Essen invites you to the TUSEM Blumensaat-Lauf, the August Blumensaat memorial run, in its 35th edition. The start is at the Hardenbergufer in Kupferdreh, and the flat, DLV-measured out-and-back course runs along the south shore of the Baldeneysee. A half marathon and 10 km are on offer, and the race has been held since 1991 (mkradio.de/blumensaat). With its flat profile and measured course, it's a good autumn date for a new personal best or a first half marathon.

The year closes on 31 December 2026 with the Essener Silvesterlauf (New Year's Eve run) by Team Essen 99 on the grounds of the Zeche Zollverein in Katernberg. There are 10 and 5 km races, plus a 1 km school run and a 400 m children's run. At the end of 2025 it took place for the 50th time. Registration for 2026 opens on 3 October, and late entries aren't possible (team-essen99.de). If you want to run on New Year's Eve, secure your place in good time.

Spring: forest, colliery and Niederfeldsee

Essen's 2027 running year begins in the forest. The TUSEM Winter-Waldlauf (winter forest run) starts on the Fibelweg between Bredeney and Margarethenhöhe; the main race is 9.6 km, plus a middle distance, walking, Nordic walking and children's and youth races from 360 m. It was first held in 1957, and on 24 January 2026 for the 68th time (my.raceresult.com). The 2027 date is still to be announced.

On 1 May 2027 it's off to Zollverein: the Herz-Kreislauf Essen starts at the Zeche Zollverein on Gelsenkirchener Straße and leads across the grounds of the World Heritage Site. There are 10 and 5 km races, plus a 1.7 km school run and a 400 m children's run. The entry fees support the initiative „1000 Herzen“ (1,000 hearts); in 2026 the event took place for the 12th time (herz-kreislauf-essen.de). The 5 km on a public holiday are a relaxed way into your first race bib.

At the end of May, the AllbauLauf Niederfeldsee follows in the west of the city. The flat course runs on cycle and hiking paths around the Niederfeldsee and through the Krupp-Park in Altendorf, over 10 and 5 km as well as a 1 km school run and a 300 m toddlers' run. The university championships of the Universität Duisburg-Essen are integrated into the event. In 2026 the AllbauLauf took place on 30 May, and the 2027 date is still to be announced (allbau.de).

With your team: E.ON Firmenlauf Essen

Measured by the number of participants, the E.ON Firmenlauf Essen (corporate run) is by far the biggest running event in the city. According to the organizer, 16,000 people from 616 companies took part in 2026, a record, and the event was sold out (essener-firmenlauf.de).

The course is 5 km through Rüttenscheid, with the finish in the Grugapark – a route that almost anyone can manage, whether fast or at an easy pace. The 17th edition takes place on 9 June 2027, earlier than in 2026, when the Firmenlauf was held at the beginning of July. An adjusted course through the Grugapark has been announced, and the organizer intends to share details later. If you want to start with your colleagues, it's best to plan early, because in 2026 all places were taken.

September: Zollverein, Krupp-Park and Grugapark

September is the busiest month in Essen's running calendar, with three events within ten days.

The opener in 2026, on 17 September, was the Förderturmlauf in its fifth edition. The charity corporate run covers 5 km through the ruhr tech kampus, the former thyssenkrupp Quartier in Altendorf, and the Krupp-Park, run or walked individually or as a team. There's also a 1 km school run and a 400 m children's run. The entry fees go entirely to the association Förderturm – Ideen für Essener Kinder (ideas for Essen's children) (foerderturm.de). The 2027 date hasn't been published yet.

On 18 September 2027 comes the Welterbelauf Zollverein (World Heritage run), its twelfth edition. The start is in the evening at the Kokerei Zollverein (coking plant) in Stoppenberg, and the main race is 10 km through the UNESCO World Heritage Site. There's also the Pütt-Staffel relay over 3 x 3.3 km, 5 km, 2.5 km, 5.4 km walking and children's races from 300 m, including an inclusive run. The 10 km race is capped at 600 starters, and registration for 2027 is already open (welterbelauf-zollverein.de). With the relay, it also becomes a date for a team of three friends or colleagues.

A week later, on 26 September 2026, the Onkolauf Essen took place in the Grugapark, for the 22nd time according to the calendar of the Leichtathletik-Verband Nordrhein. The charity run supports cancer awareness and prevention; there's a 5 km main race and a 2.5 km open run, plus walking, Nordic walking and children's races. In 2026 the organizer reported a record with more than 900 advance registrations (onkolauf.de). The 2.5 km are a good way in for anyone taking part in an event for the first time. The club hasn't announced the 2027 date yet.

Nearby: IRONMAN 70.3 Duisburg

There's no IRONMAN race in Essen itself. The nearest one is around 20 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, then it's 90 km on the bike over the Brücke der Solidarität towards Moers, and finally a half marathon over three laps in the Sportpark (ironman.com). In 2026 the race took place on 16 August.

Planning tips for your running year

Registering early pays off. The E.ON Firmenlauf Essen was sold out in 2026. At the Welterbelauf Zollverein the 10 km race is capped at 600 starters, and registration for 2027 is already open. At the Marathon around the Baldeneysee the limit is 1,200 places in the marathon and 1,800 in the Seerunde. For the Essener Silvesterlauf, registration opens on 3 October 2026, and there are no late entries.

Many events, few organizers. TUSEM Essen stages the marathon, the Blumensaat-Lauf and the Winter-Waldlauf. Team Essen 99 organizes the Seelauf and the Silvesterlauf. The Herz-Kreislauf, the Firmenlauf and the RUNschnellweg are all run by the same agency, bunert Events.

Running for a good cause. At the Förderturmlauf the entry fees go entirely to the Förderturm association for Essen's children, at the Herz-Kreislauf they support the initiative „1000 Herzen“, and the Onkolauf raises money for cancer awareness and prevention.

Four places shape Essen's running year. The Seelauf, the marathon and the Blumensaat-Lauf take place at the Baldeneysee in the south. Zollverein in the north is the setting for the Herz-Kreislauf, the Welterbelauf and the Silvesterlauf. The Firmenlauf and the Onkolauf take place in the Grugapark and Rüttenscheid. And in Altendorf, with the Krupp-Park and the Niederfeldsee, the AllbauLauf and the Förderturmlauf start.

Don't train alone

Essen's year has two big goals that fit together well: the Firmenlauf in June, which you bring your colleagues along to, and the marathon in autumn, for which the long runs fall in the summer – ideally at the Baldeneysee or in the Grugapark. That's easier in a group, and at the start it's nicer when you know someone. You'll find the right group among the running groups and run clubs in Essen.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

When is the 2027 Marathon around the Baldeneysee?: The 2027 date hasn't been published yet. The 64th edition of the Westenergie Marathon – Rund um den Baldeneysee takes place on 11 October 2026, with start and finish at Seaside Beach. Alongside the marathon there's the Seerunde over 18.3 km and a relay marathon for teams of four (westenergie-marathon.de).
When is the 2027 E.ON Firmenlauf Essen?: On 9 June 2027, for the 17th time. The course is 5 km through Rüttenscheid with the finish in the Grugapark, and an adjusted route through the park has been announced. In 2026, 16,000 people from 616 companies took part, and the event was sold out (essener-firmenlauf.de).
Which half marathons are there in Essen?: The TUSEM Blumensaat-Lauf on 21 November 2026 on a flat, DLV-measured out-and-back course along the south shore of the Baldeneysee (mkradio.de/blumensaat), and the RUNschnellweg on 7 November 2026, a night run on the RS1 cycle superhighway with start and finish in Essen (runschnellweg.de).
When is the 2027 Welterbelauf Zollverein?: On 18 September 2027, for the twelfth time. The start is in the evening at the Kokerei Zollverein, and the main race is 10 km, capped at 600 starters. There's also the Pütt-Staffel relay, 5 km, 2.5 km, walking and children's races. Registration is open (welterbelauf-zollverein.de).
Is there an IRONMAN near Essen?: Yes, the IRONMAN 70.3 Duisburg on 29 August 2027, around 20 km west of Essen. The swim is 1.9 km on the regatta course in the Sportpark Duisburg, followed by 90 km on the bike towards Moers and a half marathon in the Sportpark (ironman.com).
Which running events are still on in Essen in 2026?: The Essener Seelauf at the Baldeneysee on 3 October, the Marathon around the Baldeneysee on 11 October, the RUNschnellweg on 7 November, the TUSEM Blumensaat-Lauf on 21 November and the Essener Silvesterlauf at Zollverein on 31 December.