The routes are flat and run along both sides of the Saar River. They are predominantly traffic-free and offer a diverse experience: from the skyline of the state capital Saarbrücken and scenic river landscapes to biotope areas and impressive industrial and port facilities. You’ll get a taste of almost every environment the region has to offer!
All courses are officially measured and are therefore eligible for official rankings and personal bests.
Start & Finish Area
All races start and finish on the Leinpfad (towpath) near the Kulturbiergarten St. Arnual. The start-finish area is approximately 300 meters from the sports hall on Scharnhorststraße. Access is via the motorway underpass near the “Daarler Brück” bridge.
Please note: The maps and routes shown below are for 2025 – subject to changes for 2026!
1 km Student Run
The race starts heading downstream. You will first pass the finish line from the “wrong” side. After 650 meters, there is a turnaround point. From there, it is a final 350-meter sprint upstream to the finish line.
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Refreshments: At the finish line.
5 km Course (Officially Measured)
The race starts heading downstream, passing the finish line initially. After 2650 meters, there is a turnaround point just before the Luisenbrücke. From there, you will run 2350 meters back upstream to the finish.
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Refreshments: At the finish line.
10 km Course (Officially Measured)
The race starts heading upstream. You will cross the St. Arnualer Brücke (also known as the “Dead Bridge” or “Soda Bridge”) to the right bank of the Saar. The route loops around the old port, passes under the Ostspange and Daarler Brück, and reaches the “Staden” park area. Passing the State Theater, the path leads under the Berliner Promenade and the Congress Hall, through the Bürgerpark to the Westspangenbrücke. There, you cross back to the left bank and run along the towpath upstream to the finish.
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Refreshments: At km 5 (near the State Theater) and at the finish.
Half Marathon Course (Officially Measured)
The Half Marathon follows the 10 km route until it crosses the Westspange bridge. From there, you continue on the left bank of the Saar to the Luisenthal Lock. After crossing the river, you run approximately 1 km upstream to the turnaround point at km 13 (just before the Gersweiler Bridge). You then return the same way to the Westspange and follow the 10 km course straight to the finish.
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Refreshments: km 5 (State Theater), km 8.5 (Malstatter Brücke), km 12 & 14 (Lock), km 17.5 (Malstatter Brücke), and at the finish.
Marathon Course (Officially Measured)
The Marathon follows the Half Marathon route to the turnaround point at the Gersweiler Bridge. Returning to the lock, the marathon route diverges from the half marathon and continues toward Völklingen. Crossing the Karolinger Bridge in Völklingen brings you back to the left bank, offering a great view of the active Saarstahl steelworks.
After crossing the Wehrdener Bridge, the route takes a short loop through the Völklingen Ironworks UNESCO World Heritage Site. You then continue on the left bank for about 1.5 km to the turnaround point at km 25.5. The return journey takes you back along the towpath on the left bank—with views of the rolling mill and the World Heritage site—back to the Karolinger Bridge. As on the way out, you will switch river sides there and again at the lock. With a view of the Burbach steelworks, the route passes the allotment gardens to the Westspange and under the bridges of Saarbrücken for a high-energy finish.
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Refreshments: km 5, 8.5, 12, 14, 19 (Völklingen Ferryman), 24 & 27 (Völklingen Boat Landing), 30, 35, 38.5, and at the finish.