Dear Running Community,
The SAARathon 2026 will take place on October 11, 2026, in Saarbrücken.
The event offers various distances for runners of all levels, including a marathon (featuring the State Championships of Saarland), a half marathon, 10 km, 5 km, and a 1 km student run.
Whether you are a seasoned veteran or a beginner, there is a challenge waiting for you. The flat, fast routes lead along the Saar River, offering wonderful views of downtown Saarbrücken and its diverse surroundings.
While the 10 km route—the Westspangenlauf—boasts a 38-year tradition, our Weltkulturerbe-Marathon is entering its third year. This young marathon is an exciting addition to our event, offering runners the chance to prove themselves on a beautiful course along the Saar toward the Völklingen Ironworks World Heritage site.
It is our passion to support the running community and help you reach your goals. So lace up your shoes and join us! We are proud to host this eventful race and look forward to welcoming runners from the region and beyond. Register now and be there when we conquer the streets together!
Host
Start and Finish
Saar riverbank at the Kulturbiergarten Saarbrücken-St. Arnual, Koßmannstraße 35, 66119 Saarbrücken.
Distances
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Weltkulturerbe-Marathon: 42.195 km
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Half Marathon: 21.1 km
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38th Westspangenlauf: 10 km
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Run for Everyone: 5 km
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Student Run: 1 km
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All courses are officially measured.
The Saarland Championships (Active and Seniors) will be held as part of the Weltkulturerbe-Marathon.
Registration and Race Materials
Participation limits apply to each race. Once the limit is reached, registration will close—so sign up early!
Registration via: saarathon-2026.racepedia.de
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Until Sept 27, 2026 (Midnight): Pre-registration with payment (personalized bib number).
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Sept 28 – Oct 8, 2026 (Midnight): Online late registration with payment (anonymous bib number).
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Oct 9 until 30 mins before start: Late registration online or on-site (cash payment upon pickup).
Bib Pickup: Saturdays 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM and Sundays 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM at the Sporthalle St. Arnual, Scharnhorststraße 12 (300m from the start).
Entry Fees
| Race | Early (by Jan 31) | Mid (by May 31) | Regular (by Sept 27) | Late |
| Marathon | 30 € | 36 € | 42 € | 45 € |
| Half Marathon | 15 € | 18 € | 21 € | 24 € |
| 10 km | – | – | 10 € (Adults) / 5 € (Youth*) | 13 € / 8 € |
| 5 km | – | – | 5 € (Adults) / 3 € (Youth*) | 8 € / 6 € |
| 1 km Student | – | – | 1 € (Birth years 2013-20) | 4 € |
Discounts for groups with disabilities (e.g., Lebenshilfe, Special Olympics) are available upon request.
Start Times
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09:30 AM: Marathon
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10:00 AM: Half Marathon
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10:15 AM: 1 km
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10:30 AM: 5 km
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10:45 AM: 10 km
Cut-off Times
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Pacemakers for Marathon: 3:15 to 5:00 hours.
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Half Marathon Cut-off: 3:00 hours.
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Marathon Cut-off: 5:30 hours.
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Intermediate times will be checked. If cut-offs are exceeded, runners may be diverted to a shorter distance or removed from the race.
Amenities & Wellness
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Changing rooms, luggage storage (unattended), toilets, and showers are available at the Sporthalle St. Arnual.
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Refreshment stations and toilets every 5 km on the course and at the finish line.
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Coffee, cake, and cold drinks inside the sports hall; Grill wagon outside.
Awards
Ceremonies at the Sporthalle St. Arnual. Winners (1st, 2nd, 3rd overall and age groups) receive cash or non-cash prizes.
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11:00 AM: 1 km
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11:45 AM: 5 km
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12:15 PM: 10 km
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1:00 PM: Half Marathon
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2:00 PM: Marathon
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All finishers can download a certificate online.
Age Groups
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1 km: U8 to U14 (M/F)
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5 km: U12 to U16 (M/F); no age group ranking above that.
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10 km / Half / Marathon: U16/U18/U20 up to M80/W80 (per DLO 5-year brackets).
Results & Live Ticker
Available at: www.westspangenlauf.de/ergebnisse/
Important Notices
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General: Approved by the DLV; held in all weather conditions. Insured via LSVS. No liability for theft. Registration implies acceptance of conditions.
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Photos/Video: Media will be recorded. By registering, you grant irrevocable, transferable rights to use photos, videos, and interviews of you from the event.
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Cancellation: No refunds for “force majeure” or non-attendance.
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Changes/Cancellations: Only for Marathon/Half Marathon until Sept 27, 2026 (10 € fee). Alternatively, a free start for the following year may be offered.
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Medical Service: DRK (Red Cross) Gersweiler-Ottenhausen.