Half marathon & 10 km run on 04.05.2025

Source: https://www.halbmarathon-mainz.de

The Gutenberg Marathon in Mainz, Germany, is a significant running event with a history rooted in celebrating the city’s most famous son, Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of movable-type printing. Here’s a look at its history:

Inception and Early Years:

The marathon was conceived as a one-time event in the year 2000 to honor the 600th birthday of Johannes Gutenberg.
The premiere event in 2000 had a limit of 5,555 participants and was a resounding success.
Following the successful premiere, the organization of the marathon was handed over to the sports department of the City of Mainz in 2001.
The USC Mainz (University Sports Club Mainz) became the sporty host of the event.

Evolution and Expansion:

Over the years, the event expanded to include other races alongside the full marathon:
- A half marathon was introduced.
- A race for hand cyclists was added.
- Since 2006, a half marathon competition for school teams (Ekiden) has been part of the program.
- Since 2009, a relay marathon for teams of two was introduced. In this relay, the timing chip is passed at the halfway mark.
The Gutenberg Marathon and Half Marathon have become popular road races in Germany, attracting participants with the scenic route through Mainz.

German Marathon Championships:

The Gutenberg Marathon has hosted the German Marathon Championships on four occasions:
- 2007: Ilona Pfeiffer was the overall winner, and Philipp Büttner was the fifth overall German master.
- 2008: Susanne Hahn was the overall winner, and Martin Beckmann finished third overall.
- 2009: Bernadette Pichlmaier was the overall winner, and Stefan Koch finished fifth overall.
- 2010: Bernadette Pichlmaier defended her title as the fourth overall winner, while Dennis Pyka finished seventh overall in the men’s category.

Recent Developments:

In recent years, the event has seen significant participation numbers. The organizers hoped for a new record of finishers at the 2025 event, with the half marathon being fully booked with 8,500 participants.
For the first time in 2024, there was no full marathon offered; the focus was shifted to the half marathon.
The route of the half marathon is designed as a sightseeing tour through the heart of Mainz, encompassing the historic old town, the Neustadt, and the Mombach district.
The start and finish line are located at the Kurfürstliches Schloss (Electoral Palace).

The Gutenberg Marathon has evolved from a one-time celebration to an annual sporting highlight in Mainz, attracting thousands of runners and showcasing the city’s beauty and history.

Registration

https://in.motionevents-registrations.com/gutenberg-halbmarathon-mainz1697286391813?currentPage=select-competition

Friday 12.00 – 19.00:

Distribution of starting documents, Gutenberg Half Marathon Expo

Saturday 10.00 – 19.00:

Distribution of starting documents, Gutenberg Half Marathon Expo

Sunday 7.00 – 9.00:

Distribution of starting documents

Route

https://www.halbmarathon-mainz.de/dein-lauf/halbmarathon/strecke