My marathons

Baden-Marathon Karlsruhe

Karlsruhe
Karlsruhe Palace
Karlsruhe Palace. Photograph by Cayambe, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The course

The organiser describes the 2026 course as flat and fast, passing Karlsruhe Palace and the centre of the city, Citypark Ost and the Oberwald recreation area before a finish in the Carl-Kaufmann-Stadion.

The course in short 3 lines
  • Past the palace, through Citypark Ost and the OberwaldA flat course past the palace, Citypark Ost and the Oberwald, finishing in a stadium.
  • The marathon fork at 20.5 kmAt km 20.5 a marathon runner can still turn into a half marathon result.
  • Marathon angels for the last 4 kmSlower than 3:45? Up to three angels can run the last 4 km with you.
Course notes 3 short reads on the course
km 0 to 42.2GeometryPast the palace, through Citypark Ost and the OberwaldA flat course past the palace, Citypark Ost and the Oberwald, finishing in a stadium.

On the 2026 course the organiser has the marathon start at the Europahalle, run into the city by way of Kriegsstrasse and the Ostring to Durlach, return to the Oststadt and Citypark Ost, and cross the Oberwald before the last kilometres through the centre. The finish is in the Carl-Kaufmann-Stadion, followed by the Runner’s Heaven refreshment area.

Sourced

km 20.5 to 21TacticsThe marathon fork at 20.5 kmAt km 20.5 a marathon runner can still turn into a half marathon result.

The organiser’s rule on the 2026 course: up to the fork at km 20.5 a runner can decide to run the full distance or to follow the half marathon markings to the finish and be scored for the half marathon automatically, with no re-registration. Past the fork the marathon runs through further districts and the Oberwald, and the last 8 km or so repeat the final third of the first half marathon lap.

Sourced

km 38 to 42.2FinishMarathon angels for the last 4 kmSlower than 3:45? Up to three angels can run the last 4 km with you.

On the 2026 race the organiser offered every marathon runner with a finishing time over 3:45 the chance to be accompanied for the last 4 km by one to three Marathonengel, booked in advance at 10 euros each. The organiser calls it unique to Karlsruhe.

Sourced

Race fuel

Energy gel
An energy gel sachet
Illustration · drag to turn

5 gels for Karlsruhe, plus 1 spare

Finish

One every 40 minutes, by the clock:

  1. km 7mile 4.4
  2. km 14.1mile 8.7
  3. km 21.1mile 13.1
  4. km 28.1mile 17.5
  5. km 35.2mile 21.8

Our pick: SiS BETA Fuel gel, box of 6, strawberry and lime. 40 g of carbohydrate a gel, about twice a usual gel, from two kinds of sugar your body takes up side by side.

Easy to forget on race morning: pack them with your bib the night before.

Get it on Amazon

We earn a small fee if you buy through these links. The price is the same.

In Canada the button opens GU Energy Gel, Salted Caramel, 24-pack, the best seller there.

Outside the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the UK and Ireland, Spain and Portugal, Italy, the rest of the EU and Canada the button opens GU Energy Gel, Chocolate Outrage, 24-pack on Amazon.com, the best seller there.

Anti-chafe
Compeed Anti-blister stick
Photo: Compeed

Compeed

Compeed anti-blister stick, 8 ml

Best selling on Amazon amazon.nl, read 2 Nov

An invisible layer before the start keeps seams, straps and shoes from rubbing skin raw.

Put it on before you leave for the start: heels and toes, inner thighs, under a bra or heart-rate strap.

Try it on a long run first, like everything you use on race day.

Get it on Amazon

We earn a small fee if you buy through these links. The price is the same.

Number belt
A race number belt
Illustration · drag to turn

Compressport Race Belt

Holds your bib without safety pins through your top, with loops for up to 8 gels.

Clip the bib on the night before, so it goes on with your shorts in the morning.

Keep the number on the front, where officials and photographers can see it.

Get it on Amazon

We earn a small fee if you buy through these links. The price is the same.

Electrolytes
A tube of electrolyte tablets
Illustration · drag to turn

SiS Hydro electrolyte tablets, tube of 20

One tablet in a bottle puts back some of the salt you sweat out.

One tablet in 500 ml of water in the hour before the start.

Only if you have used them in training: nothing new on race day.

Get it on Amazon

We earn a small fee if you buy through these links. The price is the same.

Blister plasters
Compeed Blister plasters, medium, 6
Photo: Compeed

Compeed

Compeed blister plasters, medium, 6

Best selling on Amazon amazon.nl, read 2 Nov

One in a pocket cushions a blister if one starts.

Put it on clean, dry skin and leave it until it comes off by itself.

Give a couple to whoever comes to cheer, so they are there at the km you need them.

Get it on Amazon

We earn a small fee if you buy through these links. The price is the same.
distance
42.2 km26.2 mi

Trip

Getting a place

Entry through the organiser

Entry details on the organiser’s site →

The organiser, a third party. We take no entries and have no part in the race.

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