SWB Marathon

The swb-Marathon Bremen is the flagship road-running event of Bremen, Germany, taking runners on a 42.195-kilometre journey through one of northern Germany’s most historic cities. Accompanied by a half marathon, 10K and children’s race, the event transforms central Bremen into a large running festival and attracts thousands of participants across its different distances.

First held in its modern form in 2006, the swb-Marathon has become a fixture of Bremen’s autumn sporting calendar. The race combines the scale and atmosphere of a major city marathon with a route that showcases an unusually broad cross-section of Bremen, from its medieval centre and riverfront to parks, university districts, redeveloped harbour areas and the city’s famous football stadium.

Both the start and finish are located at Bremen’s historic Marktplatz, one of the city’s most recognizable public spaces. Runners gather in the heart of the old city near Bremen Town Hall, the Roland statue and the famous Bremen Town Musicians before setting out on a single-lap tour through the city.