Participant information - important information for all starters - FAQ

By public transportation systems

We highly recommend to use the local public transportation system to get to the Running.EXPO on October 2 and 3 in XPost Cologne and on race day, October 4, 2015, as parts of downtown Cologne will already be closed on Saturday.

Please make use of the P+R stations from where you have easy access with your VRS online ticket to the starting area in Deutz. On your bib number you will find an additional ticket for an accompanying adult and two children (till the age of 14) for using trams and busses within the entire VRS area on race day.

Friday and Saturday to trade fair Running.EXPO

local KVB trams
KVB lines 12 and 15: exit at Lohsestraße and Ebertplatz (approx. 10min walking)

The busses 127 and 140 go to Krefelder Wall, Ebertplatz and Ebertplatz/Riehler Straße.

suburban VRS railway
lines S6, 11, 12, 13 and 19: exit at Köln-Hansaring (approx. 10min walking), via main station (Hauptbahnhof) when necessary

Deutsche Bahn railway
exit at Köln-Hansaring (approx. 10min walking) via main station (Hauptbahnhof)

Sunday to race

local KVB trams
KVB lines 1, 3, 4 and 9: exit at Bahnhof Deutz/Messe, Bahnhof Deutz/ Lanxess arena, Koelnmesse or Deutzer Freiheit (special schedule!), walking distance to starting area

suburban VRS railway
lines S6, S11, S12 and S13: exit at Köln Messe/Deutz, walking distance to starting area

Deutsche Bahn
exit at Köln Messe/Deutz (approx. 5min walking) or main station (Hauptbahnhof, approx. 15min walking distance to starting area via Hohenzollernbrücke

By own car

Friday and Saturday to trade fair Running.EXPO

A car park is available at XPost Cologne. Please approach via Hansaring or Innere Kanalstraße.

XPost Cologne (former EXPO XXI), Gladbacher Wall 5, 50670 Cologne (Köln)

Sunday to race
The parking lot P21 (below distributor road to Zoobrücke) is free of charge for participants. Please approach via Zoobrücke/highway A4 only. A shuttle bus will commute between the parking lot and the kit bag drop-off in the starting area (Charles-de-Gaulle-Platz) free of charge from 7:00 a. m. to approximately 5:00 p. m.

Further parking lots with costs may be found in LANXESS arena car parks (EUR 5.50).

Maps

• starting area
• Liniennetzpläne der KVB
• car parks P1 to P4 of LANXESS arena (Sunday, with costs)
• parking lot P21 and shuttle bus to start (free of charge)

Running.EXPO

On Friday and Saturday, October 2 and 3, 2015, the sports expo Running.EXPO 2015 will take place in XPost Cologne between Mediapark and Ebertplatz within the framework of our RheinEnergieMarathon Cologne. 

About 100 exhibitors will present diverse offers around the running sport on both expo days: sports apparel, health, nutrition, wellness and current trends from the fitness industry. Benefit from special expo offers and look forward for varied side events - child care included.

You will receive your participant shirt and bath towel on the trade fair in case you preordered them. Please find a special voucher on your bib number and hand it in at the counter "T-Shirt-Ausgabe".

Opening hours (may be subject to change)

Running.EXPO agenda

Friday, October 2, 2015

10:00 a. m. - 8:00 p. m. Running.EXPO with race packet pick-up

10:00 a. m. - 8:00 p. m. Stuntrun trial with Stuntwerk

10:00 a. m. - 8:00 p. m. child care by RheinEnergie

10:00 a. m. - 8:00 p. m. Döpfer-Schulen massage (20min 7 EUR, 30min 11 EUR)

11:30 a. m. - 5:00 p. m. pasta party in the event loft

1:00 p. m. Parcours action show with Andi and Mirko by Stuntwerk

6:00 p. m. Parcours action show with Andi and Mirko by Stuntwerk

as of 7:00 a. m. Cologne Party in the event loft

Saturday, October 3, 2015

9:00 a. m. - 6:00 p. m. Running.EXPO with race packet pick-up

9:00 a. m. - 6:00 p. m. Stuntrun trial with Stuntwerkhttp://stuntwerk.de/

9:00 a. m. - 6:00 p. m. experiments and handicraft in RheinEnergie lab (child care)

9:00 a. m. - 6:00 p. m. Döpfer-Schulen massage (20min 7 EUR, 30min 11 EUR)

11:00 a. m. Parcours action show with Andi and Mirko by Stuntwerk

11:00 a. m. RheinEnergieKids Run in the August-Sander-Park

11:30 a. m. - 5:00 p. m. pasta party in the event loft

4:00 p. m. Parcours action show with Andi and Mirko by Stuntwerk

Bib numbers

For the first time we will print your bib number live: This means that your bib number will be printed on-site when you come to the counter at the expo.

Please bring your confirmation of participation (printed or new: mobile or Passbook version) containing the QR code with you as it will be scanned. 

Irrespective of the competition (marathon and half marathon) you may go to one of the 18 counters and pick up your race packet including bib number. There will also be a DIY (do-it-yourself) counter for chip owners.
Choose the separate counter for relay teams and the kids run. Jubilees will get their bib numbers in the Jubilee Lounge.

Please find the colour of your starting block printed on your bib number (e. g. "RED").

Starting from the wrong starting block (control via chronometry) and/or concealing or deviating the sponsors bar on the bib number will lead to disqualification.

Late entries

Late entries for all competitions (school marathon excluded) may only be handed in at the Running.EXPO (October 2 and 3, 2015) at the Help Desk (when paying directly cash or via credit card), as long as the participant limit is not reached.

Late entries for the kids run may be handed in on Friday, October 2, at the Help Desk as well as on race day, October 3, on-site in the starting and finish area in the August-Sander-Park prior to 10:30 a. m.

Registering other persons for your bib number

Registering other persons for your bib number or handing over the bib number to other persons is not possible and leads to direct disqualification.

Time limits

Please be aware of the time limits and finish within!

You will be contacted by the pace car driver and the marshals at an early stage when you tend to fall out of the time limit.
Should you be overtaken by it you will NO longer use the event area. You will then not be insured any more and you will have to leave the course.

This means:

• half marathon: 3:00 hours time slot (i. e. finish prior to 11:50 a. m.)
• marathon, school marathon, relay team marathon: 6:00 hours (i. e. finish prior to 4:00 p. m.)

Chronometry / ChampionChip

Chronometry is exclusively carried out by Mika timing with the RealTime ChampionChip (except for the kids run).

Those who are in need of a rental chip and ordered it within the registration process will get it with the bib number at the Running.EXPO.

Please fix the timing chip in the lacing of your shoes. Alternatively, you can use a hook-and-loop tape at your ankle to fasten the chip.

Do not place the chip more than 15cm above the ground - neither in your pants nor at your wrist - otherwise your running times cannot be measured!!!! And this will lead to disqualificaition!

Return of rental chips

Those who rented a timing chip at our race are to return it on race day prior to 5 p. m. at the exit of the REWE Group refreshment village (at Burgmauer) (in German "Chiprückgabe").

Disqualification

Our event will be organized according to DLV and IAAF guidelines and specifications of the organizing institution.
A violation of these provisions will directly lead to disqualification, i. e.:

• starting without any bib number
• starting in the wrong starting block ahead -> 5 minutes penalty (to be monitored by chronometry)
• alteration of the bib number such as concealing or deviating the sponsors bar
• starting without any RealTime ChampionChip
• starting with more than one RealTime ChampionChip
• lacking interval times
• exceeding the given time limit
• abandoning or shortening the track
• undershooting the required age
• carrying along baby buggies, baby joggers etc.
• carrying along animals

When you write something about our Cologne Marathon in social networks during the marathon weekend or make pictures and selfies and mark them with the official hashtag we may collect these messages and show them at the event.

This is how it works: Just add the hashtag #koelnmarathon to your Facebook posts, twitter tweets and/or your pictures in Instagram.

And we will filter this hashtag and include your impressions, your most beautiful moments prior to the start, on the course, in the finish, with the well-deserved medal, at the after-run-party etc. on a social wall on our web site. Further, we will fade in the texts in the live stream in the internet  and onto the video screens at Rudolfplatz, Neumarkt and in the finish with you as the sender.

Are you a proud owner of an iPhone and would like to track yourself during the race and see where exactly you are on the course?

Then this is the right thing for you: the live tracking on the course.

The GPS data from your smarthphone will be combined with the times measured by Mika timing and your position will be showed on a map. By projecting your average pace your proposed finish time will also be displayed. You thus may track yourself in real time in which section of the course to Cologne Cathedral you are.

This is how it works: Download the mika:timing app for iOS and register with your Registration ID (see confirmation of participation) for the app. Follow the further steps in the app.

Do you want to post your split and finish times* on your Facebook wall or do you want to follow other Cologne Marathon runners via Facebook tracker during the race?

Then please register yourself or another starter prior to 8:00 p. m. on Sunday, October 4, 2015 for posts on your Facebook wall (The only prerequisite to follow you or the starter on the smartphone is the installation of the Facebook app on your mobile. When using the PC you do not have to do anything:

Step 1: Visit our Cologne Marathon web site and search for your entry or the entry of a certain participant in the starters' list and click on it.

Step 2: Click on the Facebook button to register for the app.

Step 3: Use your Facebook login data for the registration.

Step 4: Click on "Ok" to confirm that the app is allowed to use information of your profile.

Step 5: Click on "Ok" when the app is allowed to post on you Facebook wall on your behalf. Please select to which extent the app is allowed to post.

After another click on "Ok" you will have successfully registered for this service!

You of course may also tell your friends and relatives about this service and that they may also track you, e. g. in order to get to know when you will haved passed certain points on the course etc.

Go to the starters' list.

* marathon: at start, kilometres 10; 21.0975; 30; 40 and finish – half marathon: at start, kilometres 2.8; 10.5; 13.2; 18.9 and finish

Starting times (may be subject to change!)

• 08:30 a. m. half marathon
• 10:00 a. m. marathon including school marathon and relay teams

Kit bag drop-off

We will shuttle your kit bag from the starting area to the finish by trucks. You may then pick it up there sorted by bib numbers after the race.
In case you have a preferred bib number exceeding the regular number range please hand it in at the first truck and pick it up in the first kit bag tent.

Please hand in your clothing packet in time till 15 minutes prior to your start (see above) at the latest. The trucks are sorted according to bib numbers in Mindener Straße/Auenweg as well as on the ramp to Hohenzollernbrücke. Make sure you arrive early enough and consider a possible waiting time.

You may pick up your kit bags again prior to 5 p. m. in the finish areaassets/files/site/images/2014/Zielbereich2014.pdf.

Kit bags that will not be picked up on race day may be obtained at the marathon office from October 12 to 23, 2015 after arrangement by phone (+49 221 / 33 77 73 11). Thereafter, they will be disposed.

Note: We will only accept our official kit bags at the shuttle trucks due to security reasons. Bags, rucksacks, suitcases etc. to be handed in instead of or additionally to our kit bags will not be accepted. Thank you very much for your understanding.

Starting area

The kids run on October 3 will start and finish in August-Sander-Park next to Mediapark.

All competitions on Sunday, October 4, will start at Opladener Straße directly in front of Ottoplatz/Bahnhof Deutz.

Starting blocks

You will kick off with your fellow runners from several starting blocks into the race. The allocation will be according to your best times.

• half marathon: RED, BLUE, ORANGE, YELLOW, GREEN 
• marathon: RED, BLUE, ORANGE
• school marathon: YELLOW
• relay team marathon: GREEN

In order to only have short waiting times in the starting blocks please cross the starting line continuously.

Courses

Please find the course map on our web site as well as in our race magazine.

Characteristics of the course

The entire course will lead through downtown Cologne, has a width of at least 3 meters and is asphalted. Nonetheless, there may be bottlenecks on the course due to road works. Although we check the status of the roads and clean the roads several times prior to race day the surface may still degrade shortly. Please run defensively, always look for possible critical sections and inform your fellow athletes.

Refreshment stations along the course

Along the marathon course you will find 10 refreshment stations and a water station within a distance of approximately 4 km each offering different refreshments, above all water, bananas, Coca-Cola and DextroEnergy.

The half marathoners will be able to stop at 5 refreshment stations.

Donation mat

Like every year we will support charity projects. The receipts of the donation mat will be dedicated to the RTL foundation - we support kids (RTL Stiftung - Wir helfen Kinder) and the Dormitio Abbey in Jerusalem.

You may donate as follows: Run at Aachener Weiher at kilometre 19.6 (or k 11.7 of the half marathon) over the timing mat. This is an indication for us that you are willing to donate. However, as you paid your bib number via credit card (and we cannot charge any bank account), please contact us also for the money transfer. Thank you.

The donation mat is specially marked and does not have to be run over. Donating is voluntary!

Finish

The finish with grand stands on both sides and a red carpet will based next to our city's landmark, Cologne Cathedral, on Komödienstraße. Here a cheering mass will await you - it does not matter whether you finish early in the morning at the half marathon or you need some more time for the marathon! As soon as you come across the curve at the Cologne Tourism you know that you have almost made it! Show us your joy!!!

Medals

Enjoy the moment! After crossing the finish line within the time limit you will receive your well-deserved medal.

Final relay team runners will receive 4 medals in total for his/her team mates in the finish.

By handing in the rental chip in the tent of the school marathon in the post-finish area school marathoners will get the medals for all relay team members.

Post-finish refreshment area

Our post-finish REWE Group refreshment village - aka. "gourmets' paradise" - offer will you fantastic and diverse foods, drinks and snacks. No wishes will remain unfullfilled! This is one of our USP (unique selling propositions)!

Recover again and enjoy!

Return of rental chips

Those single runners and/or relay marathon teams who rented a timing chip at our race in Cologne are to return it on race day prior to 5 p. m. at the tent labelled "Chiprückgabe" in German at the exit of the refreshment village before leaving home.

Thank you very much.

Kit bag pick-up

While leaving the REWE Group refreshment area you will also leave the closed event area. In the post-fnish area you may then pick up your kit bag on Gereonstraße/Unter Sachsenhausen in one of the tents (sorted according bib numbers). The corresponding ways are signed.

Relay teams return to Neumarkt where they stored their kit bags already in the morning.

Changing tents | showers | massage

Next to the kit bag tents there will be changing tents separated by gender and shower containers. You will also find the massage area there.

After-Run-Party in the "ReissDorf" on Neumarkt | Meeting Point

After your sportive performance you may further party! Come to our after run party in the "ReissDorf" after your finish and meet friends and fellow runners. The party area will be on Neumarkt. It will be opened for you from 10 a. m. to 5 p. m.

Everybody will get a voucher for a free Reissdorf Kölsch beer or non-alcoholic Reissdorf Alkoholfrei at the bib number. Besides catering options your medal may be engraved on Neumarkt. In case you did not pre-book this service please buy a voucher at our information point on Neumarkt.

Results

You will find the unofficial results here. Search for your name in the list.

Those who booked the SMS finisher service presented by NetCologne will receive SMS containing the split time and the finishing time.

A final and official certificate including elapsed time and overall scoring will be available 7 days after the event (expiration date for the period for objection).

Award ceremonies

The award ceremonies of the fastest three athletes of each single competition will take place directly after the persons' finish on stage in the finish area. Further, the female and male marathon city champions will be awarded. In case you speculate for this title please keep your passport ready to hand.

The fastest relay team will be awarded on Neumarkt.

Winners of age categories and special scorings etc. will be rewarded approx. four weeks after the race via mail.

Merchandising

Besides the high-quality ODLO participant shirt you may purchase a plethora of current and iconic accessories and souvenirs. Come to our merchandise stands at the Running.EXPO and in the post-finish area next to the kit bag tents and on Neumarkt ("ReissDorf"). And you of course can order these articles in our web shop after the event - while stocks last.

Photos

marathonphotos.com is our official photo partner.

The photographers will take pictures of your sportive performance. As soon as these are online you will get an email containing a direct link to your personal pictures. The offer includes single person pictures, a photo package or upvalued pictures e. g. the picture with the finish time or a picture certificate. In order to get a nice range of pictures please pin your bib number well visible.

Medal engraving

On Neumarkt your medal may be engraved when you booked it with your registration. You will find a corresponding voucher on your bib number.
Otherwise you may also buy a voucher on-site on Neumarkt at our merchandise booth.

Hotline

In the week prior to the race you may contact us via hotline daily from 9:00 a. m. to 6 p. m. and on race weekend (October 3 to 4) from 8:00 a. m. to 7:00 p. m. free of charge at: +49 221 / 33 77 73 11.

Medical assistance

The overall course as well as the starting and finish areas will be monitored by medical services and doctors under the supervision of ASB (Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund) Köln e. V. This personnel is entitled to take off sportspeople with indications of injuries and/or overexertion from the race.

Internet live stream

From 8:25 a. m. to 1:45 p. m. (including comments) or 2:45 p. m. (without any comments) there will be an internet live stream on our web site.

Radio

Local Radio Köln (107.1) will broadcast all day long on Sunday, October 4, 2105 from 9:00 a. m. to 5:00 p. m. live from Rudolfplatz where also RheinEnergie will set up a big family party with interesting attractions.

TV

WDR will send a special broadcast from 4:15 to 4:45 p. m. from the finish area.

School marathon start

The meeting point for all school marathon start runners will be in the Eastern part of Ottoplatz directly in front of Deutzer Bahnhof. From there all runners will be lead to the starting block.

School marathon transition zones

Please find a map including the school marathon transition zones here. School marathoners will run sections of approx. 5 | 10 | 4.8 | 10 | 5 | 7.3k. Separate areas for lining-up will marked by signs be according to bib numbers. Within these zones the timing chip has to be handed over to the next relay team member. Please leave the zones at the corresponding exits only.

Relay team marathon transition zones

Relay team runners are to run approximately 11 | 11 | 12 | 8 km. The transition zones will be announced by signs approximately 100 meters prior to its beginning.

Separate areas for lining-up will marked by signs according to bib numbers. Within these zones the timing chip has to be handed over to the next relay team member. Please leave the zones at the corresponding exits only.

• course map with transition zones
• detailled map of transition zone 1
• detailled map of transition zone 2
• detailled map of transition zone 3

Additional timing mats in the transition zones

We will also place timing mats in the transition zones in order to be able to publish split times for all relay team members.

NOTE: Please cross also these mats!

Kit bag drop-off at the meeting point on Neumarkt

All relay team members will hand in their kit bags prior to the start on Neumarkt assets/files/site/images/2014/1_Ziel2014.pdfand then take the KVB trams and subways to get fast and easily to the start and their transition zones respectively. Afterwards they will meet on Neumarkt again.

Finish and medals

The final relay team runners will receive 4 medals in total in the finish for their fellow team members.

Meeting point on Neumarkt

Neumarkt serves as the meeting point for all teams of the Relay Team Marathon presented by Kölnische Rundschau. Located with best transport connections in downtown Cologne the runners may meet here prior to the start, hand in their kit bags and get easily to the start and transition zones by KVB tram and subways.

After the event the relay team members will meet here again. Music, moderation, catering and sales booths as well as medal engraving and a look onto the other runners on the course will complete the portfolio.

Award ceremony

The relay team marathon award ceremony will take place on the ADAC truck on Neumarkt.