Düsseldorf Marathon

The Düsseldorf Marathon is an annual road marathon in Düsseldorf, Germany in early May, first held in 2003.

The generally flat course runs through parts of the city and alongside the banks of the Rhine. The race day also includes other events, such as a marathon road relay, and over 10,000 people participate annually.

The race is a member of the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) and the German Road Races group. It is sponsored by Metro Group, a large international retailer based in the same city.

History
Organised by Jan-Henning Winschermann (via rhein-marathon düsseldorf e.V.), the race was first held in 2003.

The men's course record was set at the 2013 race, when Dereje Debele won with a time of 2:07:48 hours, while the women's course record was set by Agnes Jeruto Barsosio in 2012, with a time of 2:25:49.

The 2020 edition of the race was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, with entries automatically transferred to 2021 and registrants given the option of obtaining a refund. Similarly, the 2021 edition of the race was postponed to 2022 due to the pandemic.

Course


The marathon course lies entirely within the city, and is largely flat except for four bridge crossings.

Beginning in Pempelfort on the east bank of the Rhine, just north of the Oberkassel Bridge, the course runs north through Golzheim, Stockum, and Derendorf before returning to Pempelfort to cross the Rhine via the Oberkassel Bridge after about 13 km. Runners then spend about 10 km in Oberkassel, Lörick, and Niederkassel before heading back east across the bridge.

The marathon then runs along the border of Altstadt and makes a small loop in Stadtmitte before heading eastward into Düsseltal. The course then runs roughly southwest back through Stadtmitte and then into Friedrichstadt and Unterbilk. Runners then head northeast into Carlstadt before finishing on the riverbank about 1 km south of the start.

Winners
Kenya has been the most successful nationality in the men's race. The women's race has seen mostly Germans top the podium.

Key: Course record (in bold)