Running Events in Leipzig 2027: Leipzig Marathon, Firmenlauf and IRONMAN 70.3

Team marathon in January, the Leipzig Marathon at the Sportforum in April, the Firmenlauf with more than 22,000 registrations in June, triathlon at the Kulkwitzer See and the Cospudener See in summer: all the key running events in Leipzig for 2027 – plus what's still coming before New Year's Eve 2026.

Chris Mühlnickel · 29 September 2026 · 10 min read

Running Events in Leipzig 2027: Leipzig Marathon, Firmenlauf and IRONMAN 70.3

Leipzig runs in the green, and close to the city centre. The Auwald (floodplain forest) is the backdrop for the marathon and for one of the city's most traditional club events, the team marathon, the Frühjahrslauf and the Frauenlauf start at the Clara-Zetkin-Park, and the marathon and the Firmenlauf finish at the Sportforum with the Red Bull Arena. In the north, the Auensee is home to the LC Auensee, which has runners lapping the lake from spring to New Year's Eve. And in the south and west lie the lakes: triathlon has been held at the Kulkwitzer See for decades, and since 2026 the IRONMAN 70.3 field has swum in the Cospudener See.

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 Frühjahrslauf, Frauenlauf, 3 km at the Nachtlauf, Lauf gegen Krebs!
Your first half marathon LEIPZIG RUN, Half marathon at the Leipzig Marathon
Your marathon Leipzig Marathon, Mitteldeutscher Marathon, Wintermarathon
A new personal best Leipzig Marathon, LEIPZIG RUN
Fit through the winter Auewaldlauf, Silvesterlauf am Auensee, Wintermarathon
Running in the evening Nachtlauf, Sommerabendlauf am Auensee, Firmenlauf Leipzig
With colleagues Firmenlauf Leipzig, Wintermarathon
For a good cause Lauf gegen Krebs!, Frauenlauf, Muddy Angel Run
Something completely different Fockeberglauf, Muddy Angel Run, 100-km-Lauf am Auensee
Triathlon Leipziger Triathlon, IRONMAN 70.3 Leipzig

Still in 2026: to Halle and around the Völkerschlachtdenkmal

October brings two long races: one heading out of the city, one at one of its landmarks.

On 4 October 2026 the Mitteldeutscher Marathon (Central German Marathon) starts its 23rd edition. It's a point-to-point marathon under the motto "2 federal states – 2 cities – 1 marathon": the start is in Leipzig at the Elsterflutbecken by the Festwiese at the Sportforum, the finish on the market square in Halle (Saale). Important for your planning: only the marathon starts in Leipzig. The half marathon (Händellauf), 10 km, walking and the half marathon relay take place entirely in Halle. According to media reports, around 5,000 people took part across all distances in 2025, of whom only the marathon runners started in Leipzig. The organizer has announced the 24th edition for 17 October 2027 (mitteldeutscher-marathon.de).

A week later, on 11 October 2026, the LEIPZIG RUN follows. Start and finish are at the Völkerschlachtdenkmal (Monument to the Battle of the Nations), and the flat course leads across the former battlefields of 1813 into the south of Leipzig. The distances are a half marathon and 10 km, plus a Kids-Run and a Bambini-Lauf for the little ones (leipzigrun.maximalpuls.com). In 2025 the event was still called Decathlon Leipzig Run and took place for the eleventh time; according to a report by SC DHfK Leipzig, 3,329 participants came together across four races back then. Alongside the half marathon at the marathon weekend in April, this is the city's second big half marathon – and with its flat profile, a good autumn date for a new personal best.

Still in 2026: Fockeberg, Auwald, Auensee

After that, things get smaller: until the end of the year, the clubs carry Leipzig's running year.

On Reformation Day, 31 October 2026, the Lauf gegen Krebs! (run against cancer) takes place at the Faculty of Sport Science of Leipzig University on the Jahnallee. There's everything from 400 m for children to 10 km, and the entry fees go entirely to the Elternhilfe für krebskranke Kinder Leipzig, a parents' association for children with cancer (elternhilfe-leipzig.de). According to the timekeeper, there were 890 entries in 2025, and the limit is 1,800 places.

A week later, on 7 November, the Fockeberglauf goes uphill. The Fockeberg in the Südvorstadt is a former rubble hill, 153 m high, and you run on forest paths with a clear elevation profile: one lap over 1.9 km, three laps over 6 km or six laps over 12 km. The course has been unchanged since the first edition, and the Fockeberglauf takes place twice a year, in March and in November – on 7 November 2026 for the 69th time (leipziger-triathlon.de). In a city that's otherwise flat almost everywhere, this is your chance to practise climbs.

If you like it flat and green, run the Leipziger Auewaldlauf on 14 November 2026; the date comes from the event calendar of the Leipziger Stadtrangliste. The running group of the Leipziger Verkehrsbetriebe (Leipzig's public transport company) has organised it since 1979, and the start is at the Sportplatz Neue Linie in Connewitz. Over 20, 10, 5 and 2 km you run on flat forest paths through the southern Auwald, on a 10 km loop and a 5 km short loop. The club has announced the 46th edition (laufgruppe-lvb.bplaced.net). The 20 km are a good test if you're training over the winter for a spring marathon.

The year closes on 31 December 2026 with the 36th Sparkassen Silvesterlauf am Auensee (New Year's Eve run). At 12 noon you set off on six laps of 1.65 km around the Auensee in the north of Leipzig, 10 km in total. According to the timekeeper, 635 people reached the finish in 2025 (lc-auensee-leipzig.de).

Winter and spring: as a team and in the park

Leipzig's running year 2027 begins with a format that hardly any other city has. At the Leipziger Wintermarathon on 16 January 2027, three people run the whole distance together as a team, and the team time is what counts. In the Clara-Zetkin-Park you run ten laps of 4.2 km, and a team can also stop after the half marathon distance. The field is capped at 100 teams, and according to the organizer's website, 92 of them were already taken on 29 September (wintermarathon.de). So you'll need to find two teammates who run your pace quickly.

March brings two events that belong to the Leipziger Stadtrangliste (Leipzig city ranking), which brings together many events of Leipzig's clubs. The Messepokallauf of the LC Auensee is one of the city's most traditional dates: on 14 March 2026 it took place for the 54th time, around the Auensee in the north of Leipzig. The 2027 date hasn't been published yet (lc-auensee-leipzig.de).

A week later, on 21 March 2026, the Leipziger AOK PLUS Frühjahrslauf (spring run) went through the Clara-Zetkin-Park and the Nonne for the 22nd time. According to the timekeeper, 893 people reached the finish. There are 10 km and 5 km, 5 km walking and a 2 km children's race (bsv-aok.de). The 5 km in the park are a good first race, the 10 km a fitness test for the marathon in April. The club hasn't announced the 2027 date yet.

April: Leipzig Marathon

On 18 April 2027 the classic of the Leipzig calendar comes around. The Leipzig Marathon has existed since 1977, and in 2027 it takes place for the 49th time. Start and finish are at the Sportforum by the Red Bull Arena, the former Zentralstadion, and the flat course connects the city centre with the Auwald. In 2026, 14,351 people started across all distances, a participant record (leipzigmarathon.de).

Alongside the 42.195 km there's a half marathon, 10 km and 4 km, the two shorter distances also as walking, plus children's races and a school marathon. For a first half marathon, this is an ideal setting. If you're training for the marathon, you do the long runs in February and March – ideally in the Auwald.

May and June: in the evening, in costume, in the mud

In early summer, Leipzig's running year gets more colourful, and the watch often becomes secondary.

On 2 May 2027 the Leipziger Volksbank Frauenlauf (women's run) starts in the Clara-Zetkin-Park, over 2.5, 5 and 10 km, with the 5 km course also open to walking or Nordic walking. Part of the entry fee goes to the association Frauen für Frauen e.V. Leipzig, which campaigns against violence. According to the organizer, more than 2,000 women reached the finish in 2026, and €10,000 was donated; since 2010, more than €150,000 has been raised this way (leipzigerfrauenlauf.de). For a first event, this is a friendly setting – and you're running for something.

At the end of May, the LC Auensee invites you to the Sommerabendlauf am Auensee (summer evening run). On 29 May 2026 it took place for the 46th time, again on laps around the lake and together with the Sparkassen-Lipsiade, a running event for children. A date for 2027 is still to come (lc-auensee-leipzig.de).

Things get much louder at the SachsenEnergie Nachtlauf Leipzig (night run) on 11 June 2027. On a closed course at the Alte Messe you run 3, 6 or 9 km, with LED, music and fire installations along the way. If you run in costume, you pay a lower entry fee, and registration for 2027 is already open (nachtlauf.maximalpuls.com). The 3 km are a relaxed way in for everyone running with a race bib for the first time.

The schauinsland Muddy Angel Run on 5 June 2027 at the Galopprennbahn Scheibenholz racecourse is only for women and girls aged 12 and over. Over 5 km, 18 obstacles with mud and fun await, and there's no timing. The nationwide series supports Brustkrebs Deutschland e.V., a breast cancer charity (muddyangelrun.com).

With your team: Firmenlauf Leipzig

Measured by registrations, the schnelleStelle.de Firmenlauf Leipzig (corporate run) is the city's biggest running event. On 17 June 2026, according to the organizer, 22,074 people from 968 companies were registered – registrations, not finishers, but they show how big this Wednesday evening has become since its start in 2008.

The course is 4.9 km long, so almost everyone can manage it. The start is in several waves at the Festwiese, and the finish is on the concourse around the Red Bull Arena. Alongside the individual ranking there are team and occupational-group rankings, so you can also compete as a department or with colleagues from your profession (firmenlauf-leipzig.de). The organizer hasn't announced the 2027 date yet.

Triathlon at the lakes

In summer, Leipzig's lakes become race venues, one with a long tradition and one brand new.

The Leipziger Triathlon is a traditional event: on 25 July 2027 it takes place for the 44th time, at the Kulkwitzer See on the western edge of the city. The lake lies on the border between Leipzig and Markranstädt, and the organizer places the race in Leipzig-Lausen/Grünau. Spread over Saturday and Sunday there's the Olympic distance, a fitness triathlon, a relay triathlon and a youth triathlon. According to the organizer, around 1,500 athletes took part in 2026, and registration for 2027 opens on 1 December 2026 (leipziger-triathlon.de). With its fitness and relay formats, this is a good way into triathlon.

Since 2026, Leipzig has also had an IRONMAN 70.3. The swim is 1.9 km in the Cospudener See, followed by 90 km on the bike through the Leipziger Neuseenland and finally a half marathon through the city, with the finish at the Sportforum. According to media reports, the premiere on 23 August 2026 had 2,500 athletes from 68 nations registered. The second edition takes place on 8 August 2027 (ironman.com).

Ultra: 100 km at the Auensee

For very few, but with a long tradition: at the 100-km-Lauf am Auensee (100 km run), ultrarunners cover 100 km on a loop course at the lake, or alternatively 50 km or a 10×10 km relay. On 22 August 2026 it took place for the 37th time, and the 2027 date is still open (lc-auensee-leipzig.de).

Planning tips for your running year

Registering early pays off. At the Wintermarathon the field is capped at 100 teams, and on 29 September 92 were already taken. The Lauf gegen Krebs! has a limit of 1,800 places. Registration for the Leipziger Triathlon opens on 1 December 2026, and for the Nachtlauf it's already open for 2027.

Costs are with the organizer. For most events, the organizers haven't published the 2027 entry fees yet. What's certain: at the Lauf gegen Krebs! the entry fee goes entirely to the Elternhilfe, at the Frauenlauf part of it goes to Frauen für Frauen e.V., and at the Nachtlauf you pay less if you come in costume.

The Stadtrangliste helps with planning. Its event calendar gathers many events of Leipzig's clubs – a good starting point if you want to set goals across the whole year.

Four places shape Leipzig's running year. The Leipzig Marathon, the Firmenlauf and the Mitteldeutscher Marathon start at the Sportforum with the Red Bull Arena, and that's where the IRONMAN 70.3 finishes. The Wintermarathon, the Frühjahrslauf and the Frauenlauf take place in the Clara-Zetkin-Park. The Auensee in the north is home to the LC Auensee with the Messepokallauf, the Sommerabendlauf, the 100-km-Lauf and the Silvesterlauf. And in the south and west lie the Auwald and the lakes, where the Auewaldlauf and the triathlon take place.

Don't train alone

Leipzig's year has two big goals that fit together well: the marathon in April, which you train for over the winter, and the Firmenlauf in June, which you bring your colleagues along to. The long runs are 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 Leipzig.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

When is the 2027 Leipzig Marathon?
On 18 April 2027, for the 49th time. Start and finish are at the Sportforum by the Red Bull Arena, and alongside the marathon there's a half marathon, 10 km, 4 km, children's races and a school marathon. In 2026, 14,351 people started across all distances (leipzigmarathon.de).
When is the 2027 Firmenlauf Leipzig?
The organizer hasn't published the 2027 date yet. In 2026 the schnelleStelle.de Firmenlauf Leipzig took place on 17 June, with 22,074 registered people from 968 companies. The course is 4.9 km from the Festwiese to the concourse around the Red Bull Arena (firmenlauf-leipzig.de).
Does the Mitteldeutscher Marathon start in Leipzig?
Only the marathon: it starts in Leipzig at the Elsterflutbecken by the Festwiese at the Sportforum and finishes on the market square in Halle (Saale). The half marathon, 10 km and the supporting races take place in Halle. In 2026 the date is 4 October, in 2027 it's 17 October (mitteldeutscher-marathon.de).
When is the 2027 IRONMAN 70.3 Leipzig?
On 8 August 2027. The swim is 1.9 km in the Cospudener See, followed by 90 km on the bike through the Leipziger Neuseenland and a half marathon through the city, with the finish at the Sportforum. The premiere took place on 23 August 2026 (ironman.com).
Which half marathon in Leipzig takes place in autumn?
The LEIPZIG RUN on 11 October 2026, with start and finish at the Völkerschlachtdenkmal. The distances are a half marathon and 10 km on a flat course into the south of Leipzig, plus a Kids-Run and a Bambini-Lauf (leipzigrun.maximalpuls.com).
Which running events are still coming up in Leipzig in 2026?
The Mitteldeutscher Marathon on 4 October, the LEIPZIG RUN on 11 October, the Lauf gegen Krebs! on 31 October, the Fockeberglauf on 7 November, the Leipziger Auewaldlauf on 14 November (according to the Stadtrangliste calendar) and the Sparkassen Silvesterlauf am Auensee on 31 December.

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