Running Events in Hanover 2027: From the ADAC Marathon to the Silvesterlauf at the Maschsee

Marathon with the German Championships in April, B2Run at the Maschsee in May, Eilenriederennen in August, a night run through the old town and the triathlon in September, New Year's Eve at the lake or on the Leine: all the key running events in Hanover for 2027 – plus what's still coming before New Year's Eve 2026.

Chris Mühlnickel · 29 September 2026 · 9 min read

Running Events in Hanover 2027: From the ADAC Marathon to the Silvesterlauf at the Maschsee

In Hanover, almost every path leads to the Maschsee. The marathon, the biggest corporate run and the big New Year's Eve run all pass along the banks of this artificial lake south of the city centre, and at the triathlon the swim takes place in the lake itself. The second hub is the Eilenriede, the huge city forest in the east, which the marathon runs through just like a summer race named after it. On top of that, there's the Leine with its riverside meadows in the south and west, and the city centre between the Neues Rathaus and the Opernplatz, which becomes a running course on one evening in September and, from this autumn, on a Sunday in October too.

Hanover thrives on two levels: a few big events with thousands in the field and a number of traditional runs in the neighbourhoods that local clubs have organized for decades. 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 Silvesterlauf Hannover, 5 km at the SportScheck RUN, Ricklinger Volkslauf, Hermann-Löns-Park-Lauf
Your first half marathon Half marathon at the ADAC Marathon, H/21-Halbmarathon, Eilenriederennen
Your marathon ADAC Marathon Hannover
A new personal best ADAC Marathon Hannover, Eilenriederennen
Running in the evening SportScheck RUN, H/21-Halbmarathon
With colleagues B2Run Hannover, Marathon relay
Through woods and parks Eilenriederennen, Hermann-Löns-Park-Lauf, Ricklinger Volkslauf
To round off the year Mühlenberger Nikolauslauf, Silvesterlauf Hannover, Silvesterlauf an der Leine
Triathlon Hannover Triathlon am Maschsee, IRONMAN Hamburg

Still in 2026: a premiere at dusk and traditional runs

This year, autumn in Hanover brings something new and plenty of the tried and tested: a half marathon that didn't exist before and three club runs that are a fixed part of the city's calendar.

On 11 October 2026 the H/21-Halbmarathon (H/21 half marathon) starts for the first time. It's run by the same organizer as the ADAC Marathon, but the concept is different: the start is at 5 pm, and you run into the dusk, with start and finish in the city centre and a city course through the neighbourhoods, accompanied by music along the route. Alongside the classic individual start, "H21 for TWO" offers a category for teams of two. According to the organizer, more than 3,500 places have already been sold; the price tiers began at €39 for the first 1,000 entries, and the entry fee is now €59. The second edition is already planned for 10 October 2027 (halbmarathon-hannover.de). This gives Hanover a big 21.1 km goal in autumn too.

Two weeks later, on 25 October 2026, TuS Ricklingen invites you to the Ricklinger Volkslauf (Ricklingen fun run). The courses lead over field, forest and asphalt paths through the Ricklinger Holz and the Leinemasch. The main race is the 10 km Lothar-Mayer-Lauf, plus 5 km, walking and children's races down to 400 m for the youngest. This year, start and finish are at the Beekestadion on the Mühlenholzweg for the first time (tusricklingen.de). Here you don't disappear into the crowd and still run with timing.

On 8 November 2026 the Hermann-Löns-Park-Lauf in the east of the city celebrates a milestone birthday: it's the 50th edition. The 5 and 10 km lead through the Hermann-Löns-Park, and there's also walking, a school race and a race for the little ones. Because of construction work on the previous site, the anniversary edition starts at the Annabad in Kirchrode. In 2025, 738 people crossed the finish line over 5 and 10 km, plus 111 children in the school race (lönsparklauf.de).

On St Nicholas' Day, 6 December 2026, the Mühlenberger Nikolauslauf (St Nicholas run) of the Mühlenberger SV follows in the south-west. You can choose between 2.5, 5 and 10 km, walking and children's races by year of birth, so the whole family can start on different courses (muehlenberger-nikolauslauf.de).

New Year's Eve: Maschsee or Leine

Hanover has two New Year's Eve runs, and they could hardly be more different: a big classic at the lake and a smaller run by the river.

The Silvesterlauf Hannover (New Year's Eve run) on 31 December 2026 is the 23rd edition. The start is on the north bank of the Maschsee at the Fackelträger statue; the main race over around 5.8 km goes once around the lake at 12 pm, and the walkers follow ten minutes later; before that, children run 600 and 1,500 m. In 2025, 2,688 people crossed the finish line. Entry costs €15 including timing and a €2 donation, and the children's race costs €3, which is donated in full; you can register online until 26 December, or on race day for a €5 late-entry fee. Doughnuts and mulled wine await you at the finish (silvesterlauf-hannover.de). With its course, price and atmosphere, it's one of the most relaxed ways to wear a race bib for the first time.

An hour later, at 1 pm, the Silvesterlauf an der Leine (New Year's Eve run on the Leine) begins with a mass start at the clubhouse of the Hannoverscher Radsportclub on the Weddigenufer, near the university sports centre. The 7.7 km lead along the Leine, running or walking; afterwards there's mulled wine and bratwurst. It's the 12th edition, and in 2025, 684 people crossed the finish line (silvesterlauf-an-der-leine.de). If you prefer things quieter or want to run a bit more than the Maschsee loop, this is the right one for you.

Spring: the ADAC Marathon Hannover

Hanover's running year has one clear highlight, and it's in April. The ADAC Marathon Hannover is the city's biggest running event, and the 35th edition on 11 April 2027 is already confirmed; registration is open (marathon-hannover.de).

Start and finish are at the Neues Rathaus, and the flat course runs past the Maschsee and through the Eilenriede. Spread over Saturday and Sunday, there's a half marathon, 10 km, a marathon relay, 4.2 km and a 0.8 km children's race alongside the marathon. According to media reports, the 2026 weekend counted 33,835 entries across all events, a record, and more than 6,000 marathon starters for the first time. In 2027, Hanover will once again host the German Marathon Championships.

For a first marathon, Hanover offers a flat course and a field that carries you along; if you're chasing a time, you'll almost always find someone at your own pace in the championship race. For your preparation, the April date means your long runs fall in January, February and March.

With your team: B2Run and the marathon relay

If you'd rather start with your colleagues, Hanover has two very different options.

B2Run Hannover is the city's biggest corporate run. According to the organizer, 16,000 people from 687 companies took part on 27 May 2026, a record after around 14,000 the year before. The loop of about 6.5 km runs along the Maschsee, the start is in waves, and the finish is inside the Heinz von Heiden Arena, the former Niedersachsenstadion. There's no date for 2027 yet (b2run.de). The course is short enough that colleagues who don't usually run can join in too.

The more athletic option is the marathon relay at the ADAC Marathon on 11 April 2027: as a team, you share the 42.195 km and still experience the atmosphere of the big race day (marathon-hannover.de).

Late summer: Eilenriede and the old town at night

After the corporate run, things get quieter until late summer brings two events that go well together: a race in the forest and a run through the illuminated city.

The Eilenriederennen (Eilenriede race) covers 5 km, 10 km and a half marathon through the city forest, on a mix of road and forest paths. The start and bib collection are at the Biergarten Lister Turm, and the 10 and 21.1 km are eligible for the official rankings. The 22nd edition took place on 30 August 2026, and 1,489 people crossed the finish line, 578 of them in the half marathon. The organizer hasn't published a date for 2027 yet (eilenriederennen.de). Under the trees of the Eilenriede, an August day is more bearable than on open asphalt, and if you're planning a half marathon in autumn, this is a good test of your form.

On 17 September 2027 the city centre fills up in the evening. At the SportScheck RUN Hannover, the course leads from the Opernplatz through the illuminated old town and city centre, over 5 km, over 10 km with separate starts by target time, and over 1 km for children. The running shirt is also your race bib. On 18 September 2026, 6,139 people crossed the finish line over 5 and 10 km, plus 521 children (sportscheck.com). The 5 km are a good way in, with spectators along the course.

Triathlon in and around the Maschsee

The Maschsee isn't just a running loop, it's also a swim course. At the Hannover Triathlon am Maschsee, the swim is in the lake, and there's the Olympic distance and a shorter novice distance (Volksdistanz), plus relays and a children's triathlon on the Friday. The weekend is also a stop of the 1st Triathlon Bundesliga, so you get to see the top athletes up close. According to the organizer, the 19th edition on 5 September 2026 was completely sold out with more than 2,500 athletes. The 2027 date is still to come (triathlon-hannover.de).

Nearby: IRONMAN Hamburg

There's no IRONMAN in Hanover, and there isn't one in the surrounding area either. The nearest is around 130 km away as the crow flies, in Hamburg: IRONMAN Hamburg on 6 June 2027 begins with a 3.8 km swim from the Jungfernstieg through the Alster, followed by 180 km on the bike and a marathon over four laps along the Alster, with the finish at the Rathausmarkt. In 2026, almost 3,000 age-group athletes were registered; regular registration for 2027 is sold out (ironman.com).

Planning tips for your running year

Registering early pays off. The Hannover Triathlon was completely sold out in 2026. At the H/21-Halbmarathon, prices went up with every 1,000th entry, and the B2Run field grows from year to year. Registration for the 2027 marathon is already open.

What it costs. The cheapest is the Silvesterlauf Hannover at €15 including a donation, and children pay €3. At the H/21-Halbmarathon, prices ranged from €39 to €59, and a team of two costs from €59.

Three places shape Hanover's running year. The Maschsee, with its loop of around 6 km, is the setting for the marathon, B2Run, the triathlon and the Silvesterlauf. The Eilenriede stands for the Eilenriederennen and part of the marathon course. And the Leine with its riverside meadows accompanies the Ricklinger Volkslauf and the second New Year's Eve run.

Don't train alone

If you want to run a marathon in April, you train through the winter, often alone in the dark around the Maschsee. It's easier in a group, and on race day it's nicer when you know someone at the start. Hanover has plenty of running groups (Lauftreffs) and run clubs that head out together at the Maschsee, in the Eilenriede or along the Leine. You'll find the right group near you among the running groups and run clubs in Hanover.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

When is the 2027 Hanover Marathon?
The ADAC Marathon Hannover takes place on 11 April 2027; it's the 35th edition. Start and finish are at the Neues Rathaus, and alongside the marathon there's a half marathon, 10 km, a marathon relay and children's races. Registration is open (marathon-hannover.de).
Which half marathons are there in Hanover?
The half marathon at the ADAC Marathon in April, the Eilenriederennen through the city forest at the end of August (on 30 August in 2026) and the new H/21-Halbmarathon, which premieres on 11 October 2026 and is planned again for 10 October 2027.
What is the biggest corporate run in Hanover?
B2Run Hannover: according to the organizer, 16,000 people from 687 companies ran about 6.5 km along the Maschsee on 27 May 2026, finishing in the Heinz von Heiden Arena. The 2027 date is still to come (b2run.de).
Is there a night run in Hanover?
Yes, the SportScheck RUN Hannover: it starts in the evening at the Opernplatz and leads over 5 or 10 km through the illuminated old town and city centre. The next edition is on 17 September 2027 (sportscheck.com).
Which New Year's Eve runs are there in Hanover?
Two: the Silvesterlauf Hannover over around 5.8 km around the Maschsee, starting at 12 pm on the north bank (€15 including a donation), and the Silvesterlauf an der Leine over 7.7 km, starting at 1 pm at the Weddigenufer. Both take place on 31 December 2026.
Is there an IRONMAN in Hanover?
No. Hanover has the Hannover Triathlon am Maschsee over the Olympic distance and a novice distance. The nearest IRONMAN is in Hamburg, around 130 km away, on 6 June 2027; regular registration for it is sold out (ironman.com).

Running events in other cities