Einstein-Marathon.
The Einstein Marathon runs point to point from the exhibition grounds through Ulm and Neu-Ulm to a finish on Münsterplatz. With roughly 98 metres of climbing over 42.2 kilometres and more than 90 percent of the course flat, preparation is less about hills and more about holding an even pace for the full distance.
No date has been announced for the next edition yet. The course, elevation and route profile are from the most recent edition.
Einstein Marathon: Course, Route Profile & Map
Since 2005 the Einstein Marathon has turned the twin cities on the Danube into a running course each late September, with the 22nd edition coming up in 2026. The marathon starts at the exhibition grounds and runs point to point through Ulm and Neu-Ulm before finishing on Münsterplatz, right at the foot of Ulm Minster. With 98 metres of ascent and 90 metres of descent, the profile is decidedly flat: more than 90 percent of the route is level, and there are no steep sections and no classified climbs.
Look closer and the course still has a shape. After a calm opening at around 467 metres of elevation, the route dips slightly around kilometres 3 to 4, rises gently to about 471 metres by halfway, and drops to its lowest stretch between kilometres 20 and 25. From roughly kilometre 26 the picture reverses: the course creeps back uphill all the way to the finish, leaving the final third slightly higher than the middle of the race.
The setting is a big one. More than 15,000 participants spread across all formats over the race weekend, with music bands along the course and around 1,000 volunteers shaping the atmosphere in both cities.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|
Climb categories follow the road-cycling convention and rate the terrain itself (length and gradient) regardless of sport: Cat. 4 marks the easiest rated climbs, Cat. 1 the hardest, and HC (hors catégorie, “beyond categorization”) is reserved for the most brutal ascents. Short climbs below the Cat. 4 threshold stay unrated.
How to pace Einstein Marathon.
Start under control
The Einstein Marathon is a course built for even splits: no climbs that burn matches, no descents that hand back time. That is exactly where the biggest trap sits. Between kilometres 20 and 25 the route runs along its lowest stretch, slightly falling to level, and the pace feels cheap there.
Hold your rhythm
Bank time by running above your planned race pace and you pay twice, because from around kilometre 26 the course starts creeping uphill again. The race is decided in the final third from kilometre 30 onwards. The elevation gain is only a few metres per kilometre and barely visible, but it lands precisely in the phase where energy reserves run low.
Spend what is left
Plan your goal time around constant kilometre splits, hold back deliberately in the dense field of the opening kilometres, and decide in advance that kilometres 30 to 40 are where you defend your pace rather than try to lift it.
Training plan for Einstein Marathon: 12-week build
Build the base
For most age-group athletes the marathon in Ulm means an effort of roughly 3:30 to 5:00 hours. The demand is purely aerobic and remarkably uniform: with no climbs or descents worth the name, there is hardly any change in muscle loading, and the same movement repeats for hours. That makes the course fast, but it places high demands on running economy and structural resilience.
Train race pace
The decisive stretch is kilometres 30 to 40, where the course creeps uphill just as fatigue peaks. Preparation should target exactly that: long runs building gradually to 30 to 35 kilometres, ideally with a brisk closing segment at planned race pace so tired legs learn to hold an even rhythm. The training emphases follow directly from the profile.
Rehearse the course
First, sustained speed on flat terrain: marathon-pace blocks of 8 to 15 kilometres inside long runs accustom you to the uniform load. Second, pacing discipline. On a course with no terrain changes, your internal sense of effort is the only regulator, so practise constant kilometre splits without checking the watch at every turn.
Arrive fresh
Third, a reliable fuelling routine: since no climb forces a natural change of rhythm, rehearse drinking and taking on energy at running pace in every long run. Core and foot stability work rounds out the picture, helping you carry the repetitive load of a flat course for four hours and more.
Courses
Download the Einstein Marathon course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Einstein-Marathon dynamically
Ben connects your goal, the course, current load, recovery, and calendar. Your plan stays pointed at race day even when real life is not perfectly plannable.
Everything about Einstein-Marathon.
How long is Einstein Marathon?
Einstein Marathon is 42.2 km long. That distance shapes how much aerobic endurance, pace durability, and race-specific work belong in the training plan.
How much elevation gain does Einstein Marathon have?
Einstein Marathon has around 98 m of elevation gain over 42.2 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Einstein Marathon?
Einstein Marathon is classified as Flat, averaging 2.3 vertical metres per kilometre. 91% of the route is flat, 6% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 0% is steeper than 6%.
Is Einstein Marathon a loop course?
No, Einstein Marathon is a point-to-point course: start and finish are in different places.
Is there a GPX file for the Einstein Marathon course?
Yes. The Einstein Marathon course is on this page as a free GPX download — ready to import into Garmin, Wahoo, Komoot, Strava or any other app that reads GPX.
How should I prepare for Einstein Marathon?
Preparation for Einstein Marathon should account for 42.2 km, 98 m of elevation gain, current training load, and available training time. An adaptive plan helps place key sessions without ignoring recovery and real life.
What pacing strategy works for Einstein Marathon?
The pacing strategy for Einstein Marathon should reflect 42.2 km, 98 m of elevation gain, and your current fitness. Start controlled and keep margin for sections where the profile or fatigue makes target pace harder.
When does Einstein-Marathon next take place?
No date has been announced for the next edition yet. The most recent one was held on September 27, 2026.
Where does Einstein-Marathon take place?
Einstein-Marathon takes place in Ulm, Germany.
Which distances does Einstein Marathon offer?
Einstein Marathon offers 4 distances — Sparkasse Ulm Marathon: 42.2 km; Beurer Halbmarathon: 21.1 km; Liqui Moly Citylauf: 10 km; AOK Gesundheitslauf: 5 km.
How do I register for Einstein Marathon?
Registration runs through the organiser: einsteinmarathon.de. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
