With many beautiful parks and stunning trails along the river, Munich is a great place to run. Running is a popular pastime here to get outside and enjoy the nature. As a result, Munich has many great running races throughout the year. Here the Go! Running Tours Munich team lists a few of their favourites.
Generali München Marathon
Date: TBC
Distance: 42.195 km
The Generali Munich Marathon, starting and finishing in the iconic Olympic Park, is a must-run event of the year. With live music and scenic routes, it’s like a sightseeing tour, passing Munich’s landmarks. The finish line at the Olympic stadium is unforgettable, with a tunnel entrance and a legendary track finish. For those not up for the full marathon, there are 10K and half-marathon options, or join a relay team. Just be prepared for the post-Oktoberfest timing, adding to the training challenge.
Sportscheck Run München RUN MUC – Munich Half Marathon
Date: 6 July 2025
Distance: 21.1 km
The Run München Half Marathon, organized by Sportscheck, is part of a popular running series across Germany, drawing over 70,000 participants annually. Despite its city-center location, the route winds through Munich’s picturesque Englischer Garten, offering a scenic experience. The vibrant atmosphere, with crowds of spectators cheering along the route, adds to the race’s appeal.
Nikolauslauf and the Munich Winter Running Series
The Olympic Park is home to many sporting events throughout the year and this one is our favourite. Organised by a local running club, this 10K race is the first in the Munich Winter Running Series (there is a 15K in January and a 20K in February) that keeps you fit and motivated throughout the winter. We’ll be honest and admit that it might be really cold and even snow, but there are mountains of gingerbread and stollen with warm tea or warm isotonic waiting to help you warm up at the end. As an added bonus, some years when we collected our starting numbers, we got a Santa Claus hat to get into the spirit of the season!
Wings for Life World Run in Munich
Date: 4 May 2025
Distance: up to you
We love the concept of this unique race: participants start in the Olympic Park and run out of the city pursued by a “catcher car” that overtakes each runner one by one until only one runner remains. Having no finish line means that the race is great for runners of all abilities, with the best part being that 100% of the registration fee goes towards research for finding a cure for spinal cord injury. We can’t fault the organisation – you might finish your race in the middle of nowhere (personal experience here!) but buses are provided all along the route to take finishers back to the Olympic stadium. This is truly a world run in the sense that there are Wings for Life races taking place simultaneously throughout the world at the same time, both in real life and virtually using the Wings for Life app.
XLETIX Challenge
Date: 19 July 2025
Distance: 6K, 12K or 18K
Looking for something a little different? The XLETIX Challenge in Erding is an obstacle course race that’s all about teamwork, mud, and pushing your limits. The motto says it all: Ein Team, ein Ziel! With three course options (6+ km with 15+ obstacles, 12+ km with 25+ obstacles, and 18+ km with 35+ obstacles), participants can choose their challenge level, facing a mix of water obstacles, climbing walls, and lots of mud along the way.
Speed isn’t the goal here—it’s about helping each other, having fun, and embracing the adventure. The race takes place in a scenic recreation area just outside Munich. We found the event to be really well-organized, with space to get changed and showered afterwards, plus plenty of food and drink options. We also liked the high-quality finisher t-shirt, which we still wear years later, and the fantastic race photographers, who captured all the best (and muddiest!) moments on the course.
Expect to get muddy, expect to get wet, and most of all, expect to have a blast!
König Ludwig Lauf (Summer Edition)
Date: 27th September 2025
Distance: 10K, 21K, 6K and Kid’s Trail
Looking for a scenic trail race near Munich? The König Ludwig Lauf takes runners from Ettal to Oberammergau, offering breathtaking mountain views. The race starts at the historic Ettal Monastery, creating a unique atmosphere before runners set off through the Ammergau Alps. Despite the alpine setting, the course is beginner-friendly and not too technical, making it ideal for newcomers.
Well-organized, the event offers a simple bag drop system and a shuttle bus from Oberammergau to the start. At the Oberammergau sports stadium finish line, runners can access showers, changing facilities, and refreshments. A finisher medal adds a memorable touch.
The Ammergau Alps are perfect for nature lovers, with plenty of hiking and outdoor activities. Staying overnight or for the weekend is a great way to escape the city and enjoy fresh mountain air. Easily accessible from Munich—just an hour by car or two by train—the König Ludwig Lauf is more than a race; it’s a chance to explore one of Bavaria’s most beautiful regions.
Want more? Come back for the Winter Edition, featuring a weekend of cross-country ski racing on a similar route!
Joining a running race is not the only way to experience the city while running. Go! Running Tours offers various running tours that bring you through the best that the city has to offer. All while running. Our guides love showing guests around the city they love.
One of our top running tours is the Heart of Munich City Tour. This 10km run tour is perfect for those who want to see the major sights of Munich while enjoying a run through nature. Combining the best of sightseeing and running, you’ll explore historic landmarks and scenic green spaces in one invigorating experience.
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