Marathon Hamburg - Race Reviews

INTRODUCTION: I am a race-walker with a median marathon completion time of 5:22:25. The Marathon Hamburg was my fifty-fourth 26.2-miler accomplished. COURSE: It was a great day for a marathon: a bit wet, in the mid-forties. The red carpet start was located just outside of Hamburg Messe, where the expo was held. We headed toward St. Pauli and its infamous Reeperbahn, and continued westward toward residential Altona before turning about at kilometer 6 where we found ourselves alongside the River Elbe with occasional glimpses of Hamburg's shipping port. On an otherwise relatively flat course, we descended into old town at kilometers 12 and at kilometer 14, we turned inland into a tunnel then suddenly finding ourselves in the shopping district adjacent to the inner Alster lake at kilometer 15, which we went completely around for a kilometer before proceeding along the eastern shore of the outer Alster lake for the next three kilometers, witnessing another race: this one comprising of sailing craft in a regatta. Just past halfway into the marathon, we approach Statdpark, where we enjoyed the woods for two kilometers before returning to our urban environment. At kilometer 31, we started to head back to the red carpet where we started from. Weather at the finish was overcast in the low fifties. ORGANIZATION: Superb. One would have to look hard to find fault with this marathon. Efficient expo: when you picked up your bib, you were obliged to check your timing chip to insure that it worked. The course featured excellent water stop support and traffic management. And of course, the blue line laying out the most direct course is something that was greatly appreciated. SPECTATORS: Where they lacked in number (compared to Chicago, New York City, Berlin, etc.), they more than made up in enthusiasm and noise. At least for the back of the packers, they succeeded in personalizing their support for the runners. CONCLUSION: One of the most attractive courses for an urban marathon, one of the best organized marathons, and with the blue line on the pavement laying out the course in front of you, one of the easiest to run. Well worth travelling to. Sehr gut, Hamburg!

I will start from the weather - but for me it was good :) In 2017, we started with snow mixed with heavy rain for first 40 minutes, finished with sun. Course excellent, a lot of friendly crowd across ALL route (never saw anything similar, even in short races or where you have to run in laps). Finisher buffet perfect: massive and with very good atmosphere. Medal was adequate, just T-Shirt very cheap sponsors logos show-up. I recommend not to pre-buy it, but better by quality Mizuno nice T-Shirt with Hamburg Marathon logo.

A proper German marathon in all senses. Organisation efficient and everyone smiling, friendly, and welcoming. A brief ray of sunshine at the start was quickly followed by intermittent periods of rain, wind, and hail (painful but fortunately short-lived). Refreshments were frequent and plentiful - water at the earlier stations, accompanied by electrolyte drinks, bananas, high 5 gels, and cola at later ones. It was cold (for me) and I'm glad I wore a vest and arm warmers. A cap would have been helpful for the hail. But despite all this I managed to enjoy the course - taking me past the elbphilarmonie building and the elegant brick warehouses on the harbour front, to the quiet forested region on the edge of the city. There are dips and inclines, but it didn't feel too bad. The crowds were small in places, but who could blame them in this weather. Those that came cheered loudly. The finish line provided various snacks, fruits, and stock, though a space blanket or plastic rain top would have been appreciated as I was little cold. All the volunteers and helpers worked amazingly hard and were very friendly. Recommended (but be prepared for north German April weather...).

A couple of years ago I followed my partner running this marathon; used the public transport system to get to 'strategic' places along the route... and managed to see him nine or ten times (rather than sitting static at the finish line for 3-4 hours!)! The atmosphere then was incredible! Last year I started preparing and ran it myself this year - being a flat course, it is a good place to start! On the day, the heavens opened! With the amount of rain, it should really have been considered to be a biathlon as we swam much of the course! But, whilst the crowds were considerably smaller than two years ago, the people were amazing! We runners were partially oblivious to the rain; spectators stood for hours, getting drenched, just to watch and cheer us on! The organization was great too. Everything went very smoothly which was appreciated both by myself (being my first marathon) and my partner (having run numerous marathons previously). We did not take the pasta-party option but with the amount of fruit and snacks and drinks available afterwards, this was not missed at all! The one point I would raise is the photographers along the way. Given they are professionals, I would have expected considerably better quality! I am an amateur who just points her G12 in the right direction and clicks(!)... but the photos I have taken of my partner on previous marathons were heaps better than those purchased from the professional service at Hamburg! If is was not for my wanting a momento of our first marathon together, I would not have considered by even one!

I cannot praise this marathon highly enough! The course was wonderfully flat with a good surface - a camber did exist in parts so I just took to the middle of the street. We always seemed to be running in neighborhoods, and we never found ourselves in an industrial zone or an isolated part of the city. The streets did narrow at times and it was difficult to keep a steady pace where it became crowded. I wonder if it was necessary to include the relay on the day(even if the change over points were superbly organized). Having water stations every 2.5 kms was a life saver. Gels were also available at every water station from 20 kms on. Terrific. And the crowds topped off the whole day. They were 5 deep in some city centre spots! But throughout the course they were out in their numbers and were vocal in their support. A Beer Hall the size of a football pitch awaited those who wished to have a drink once they crossed the finishing line! Excellent medals as well. The marathon bag contained nothing of note and at ¬70 to enter, a souvenir shirt would not have gone astray. That said, this is certainly right up there with the best marathons you could ever put your toe to the line to. Make the trip - you won't regret it!

Flawless organization, excellent course and above all: the most amazing crowd! The Hamburgers seem to really love their marathon. There were a lot of families who gathered in their front yard to support the runners. I have never been cheered on this much in any other running event. Also, this marathon is great for family members who want to follow their runner by metro (my family has seen me 7 times). Would love to run this marathon again in the future, and so should you! :)

I absolutely loved running this marathon. Great organization, efficient race packet pickup, easy bag drop off, start and finish at same location, smooth operation on race morning, frequent aid stations, fan support, and convenience to public transportation were all Excellent. Fan support was better than any race I've ever run. I loved the water and/or water/ISO drink station every 2.5K starting the 5K marker (all other races I've run in Europe are only every 5K). Having my name and country of origin announced as I was approaching the finish line was incredible (I'm far from being a fast runner). The one (minor) improvement I would suggest is the toilets along the route. There was a port-a-potty situated at every KM marker. Adding 1 extra potty at every KM would be awesome. This is rather nit-picky considering many other marathons do not even provide toilets every KM and most of the time only 2-3 people during this race were waiting to use the toilet. I would definitely love to run this one again. My compliments to the race organizers for putting on a great event and the people of Hamburg who came out in droves to support us runners. Cheers.

I can only say that almost everything was perfect: the greatest cheering crowd I've ever seen, plenty of water/gels/fruits, perfect separation between fast/medium/slow runners, start and finish at the same point (to be able to change your clothes early in the morning in a closed enviroment is quite a good thing), a great atmoshpere indeed. There were only 2 points that concerned me before the start: the English website was not updated as frequently as the German one and it took a while to reach the block at the start. If I do not run Boston next year, I will be there again.

Everyone should run the Hamburg Marathon once in their life. The race has everything - a great course weaving past the most interesting landmarks in the city, decent crowd support, good organization, and an excellent T-shirt. On top of it all, the race starts and ends at the town's famed Reeperbahn (the heart of the red light district)! On the morning of 29 April 2012, 10,724 marathon runners and 1,073 relay teams (relay total was 4,292) crossed the starting line and approximately 10,400 marathon runners and 1,067 relay teams successfully finished the race. The race did not feel very crowded because runners were divided into groups and released every few minutes. For such a large number of runners, I was quite surprised at the speed of the start. The thousands of running shoes shuffling past the starting line is still quite fresh in my memory. After the first PG-rated kilometer lined with sex shops in the Reeperbahn, the rest of the race was a nice sightseeing experience through the port city. Runners were offered a glimpse of life in Hamburg by passing through the port area, the old cannery buildings, the heart of the downtown center, a lake and a nice residential neighborhood before arriving at the finish line near the St. Pauli soccer stadium. Water was offered to runners every 5km (along with water bins for sponge dunking) and some refreshment areas even included bananas, High5 gels, Coke, and electrolyte drinks. Finishers were offered medals, fruit, electrolyte drinks, water and even non-alcoholic beer! The bag drop-off area was well organized although it did take some time to recover my checked-in items. At least the time waiting in line was interesting as many German runners had no inhibitions when it came to changing out of their running clothes from the handful of naked finishers I saw (both male and female!). My only complaint with the race was the expo. Runners were herded through a convention center at the Hamburg Exhibition Halls where they picked up their registration packets and the items ordered previously online. I was forced to pay one Euro just because I'd forgotten to print out my registration card! Then runners passed through a large exhibition area with several performance apparel booths (e.g. Asics) and promotion booths for other marathons (e.g. Munich marathon). I was disappointed with the limited items on sale at the Hamburg Marathon shop - it was not possible to buy additional items that were not pre-purchased online during registration. To make matters worse, the line to pick up the personalized Asics wrist-bands (displaying pace times) was so long that I completely skipped it. However, the rest of the marathon experience was excellent.

Compliments to organization, volunteers and spectators.

I thoroughly enjoyed my experiences through the streets of Hamburg this year. The course is incredibly picturesque for a big city event and it's really well organized - for one thing the pens were well marshalled, without the pushing I've seen elsewhere. The expo was small and manageable but slightly strange, being located in a fairground site which seemed a lot bigger than necessary. As for the crowd support it was absolutely incredible - lots of people and absolutely enthusiastic too. For the first time ever I had my name called out on multiple occasions. There were also impromptu refreshment tables set up by residents along the 'nicer' parts of town. Watermelon slices definitely did the trick on such a hot day.

Hamburg is a very convenient mid-sized marathon. You can literally get off the subway at 8:55 and be in your coral at 9:00. Some of the first miles are a little tight, but it's all VERY flat. There is water every 2.5k, and water and Powerade every 5k. Every water stop also has a large tub of water for dipping hats, sponges, etc. Mileage markers are, of course, in kilometers. Hamburg residents come out to watch, and some set up very elaborate picnics along the route. Germans seem to be big on noisemakers. U.S. people will be surprised to find out that the Expo features literally no marathon merchandise. No hats, no tee-shirts - nothing. Other things such as sneakers are nearly double the price that they would be in the US. Point is, you won't be buying much. Btw, you get zero with the price of registration. There isn't a free tee-shirt, and the goodie bag really has nothing in it. Baggage check is super convenient. The old chip system is used, but no affixing items are given, so you are expected lace it on your shoe. The last thing a marathoner wants is to get down and untie laces after the race.

This is my third time running this marathon, and the residents of Hamburg never fail to come out in droves to support the marathon runners. It's like a 26 mile long party! It was sunny and warm this year, and there were long stretches without any shade, so the going was a bit tougher than in previous years. Still, there were ample water stations, and the organization was fantastic. It's a flat course for the most part, so this isn't too challenging in terms of terrain, but the weather certainly made up for that this year!

Word was that the Hamburg and Berlin Marathons would be the best in Germany. I haven't run Berlin yet, but Hamburg rocked. It's a very old merchant city that's quite rich and scenic. The course is flat, and all of the streets are wide and well cared for. The Germans don't do potholes at all. I have never seen a more enthusiastic crowd. They were all along the course, packed multiple rows deep, screaming loudly and firing me on. Some had breakfast tables set up and ate while watching us. it was surreal, a real party. The day was hot, but there were many drink stations. I have no complaints about my run 2010. Seriously, try this marathon if you want a great experience. I do hear, though, that they want to change the date by a week or two, so confirm if you already registered.

This race was so much fun because of the beautiful City of Hamburg and its wonderful residents. There were over 800,000 people lining the streets, cheering the runners on from start to finish. The race was extremely well organized - something you would expect for a race in GERMANY! The course was flat and picturesque. The after party was the best I have experienced. GREAT JOB, race organizers. As a runner, you make it easy to concentrate on running and not getting bogged down in other details.

This is a great marathon. I have only previous experience from Stockholm but this marathon is better in so many ways. First, the crowd is amazing. A local paper said there were over 800,000 spectators and I truly believe that. But it was not just the sheer number of the spectators; they were also very supportive. Many were screaming, "Du schafft est" ("You will make it"). The course is also great - running along Lake Alster and the river is great.

Absolutely loved this marathon. I have run 5 in the past year: In 2007: Prague, Berlin, Amsterdam, and Raleigh. Hamburg in 2008. Hamburg ranks just a notch behind Berlin for my favorite. Flat, fast course with enthusiastic spectators. Hamburg city is "ok." It is extremely expensive, but worth every penny, as I achieved a coveted BQ.

The expo was busy but well organized - the biggest I have been to anyway. There is a huge area dedicated to the marathon start so there is no issue with trying to find a space to warm up or get changed, etc. The bag drop was excellent and well signposted, and the start was good, but we expected it to be a little cramped due to the number of people running. Support was excellent: people lined the route all the way round and were very enthusiastic. Horns, whistles, pots and pans - anything the people could get their hands on - were used to make a noise for the runners. Refreshment stops were plentiful and needed in the hot weather, but not much notice was given prior to these; sometimes it was difficult to get across the crowd of runners to get to them. Hamburg is a great city to visit as well. This was the best marathon I have done yet. Well done, Hamburg!!!

I ran in Hamburg based on other runners' comments and I was delighted with the course, the spectators and the city. The course was flat, with time spent in the city and out around the lake. The organization was first-class, with a high-quality expo and drink stations aplenty along the route. The spectators were excellent and made a real effort to support everyone.

This marathon was really great. The crowds were unbelievable - they lined the entire course, and for the most part were loud and excited. The course was very nice, running through historic neighborhoods, nice residential areas, and along the water. Organization was good. This is a very fun marathon.

This marathon is superb, and I don't want everyone to know about it. A beautiful route, great organization (the expo was a little chaotic) and incredible support. Where else can you cross a finish line and be presented with a medal, and a beer? A bit pricey, but well worth every cent.

When I arrived in Hamburg, I was surprsed at how beautiful and friendly the city is! Todays marathon was top-notch. Most of the week, the weather was predicted to be cool and cold - with rain predicted at the beginning of the week. This morning we had blue skies and warm weather (high of around 70 degrees F). I was worried as I ran Chicago and Paris (both unseasonably hot and ill-prepared for the increased requirement for water). Hamburg organizers were ready, with extra water stops all along the route (I planned for water every 5K, but it was actually available every 2.5). Well organized, with plenty of water for everyone. The course is just as described - beautiful, and mostly flat (very gradual inclines at parts). Crowd support was nothing short of terrific! -Deborah

It was a huge surprise; I did not expect such a great race, with incredible support all over, a beautiful city, and a wonderful course. Flat and fast. I just had some problems trying to find the starting corral; the organization members did not have all the information the day of the race.

Hamburg is a must for anyone considering a big European marathon. Having the expo in the center by the start finish is huge. There is a tour of the course available by bus. Course is fairly flat; superb with no really bland bits (last 1 1/2 K is uphill). Support all along the route was loud and large. Staggered starts means that even for a 16,000-runner field, there's no congestion. Free non-alcoholic beer at end of run also a nice touch. Marshaling was top-notch, as were feed stations. For a big city, Hamburg has lots of greenery, canals, lakes and the river also, so it's very pleasant to visit.

Hamburg is a fantastic city to visit, and the marathon did not disappoint. The course has got to be one of the flattest and fastest in the world - I really didn't notice any inclines at all! The support is tremendous and at some points the crowds are just 3 meters apart with all the whistles and cow bells it really is a "Tour de France atmosphere." I can't fault the organization. In the sub-3 hour pen, we even had space to warm up. Free beer afterwards and free massage just rounded off a fantastic experience.

The spectators make this marathon one of a kind. It is a must! I heard in 2005 they had 600,000 fans. I don't know what the statistics were for this year (2006) but they line every last kilometer. At times, it was like running through tunnels of people. The fans have noise-makers in one hand and beer in another (or a cigarette!). The course was flat, flat, flat! Good for a PR. The weather was perfect! The expo was too big and very crowded, but at the same time plenty of good stuff to buy. I thought it (expo) was a little unorganized for such a large marathon. It could have had more signs to point you in the right direction when picking up your bib and chip. Good beer at the finish - what more can you ask for?!

It was incredible to run this marathon! You feel the people from the first meters until the end... and there are times that it looks like a mountain course in the Tour de France, with a lot of fans supporting you! It's fantastic! People in Hamburg treat this marathon like a big party. The course is not so hard, and the weather in Hamburg at the end of April is good. The organization is ok and Hamburg is a very nice place to run.

The course is beautiful, and the spectators are amazing, especially by the harbour (St. Pauli). You need to register early. Germans may have to qualify to participate but foreigners are all accepted.

Hamburg is a wonderful marathon. The course is fast and flat, and encompasses a great deal of the city (rivers, lakes, downtown, residential, etc.). The organization was excellent; the only reason I gave it four stars rather than five was that the bag pick-up needs improvement. But what makes Hamburg truly special is the amazing fan support. I heard that 700,000 people came out for the 2005 race, and I believe it.

A great marathon for both runners and spectators. The course is varied (historical downtown and leafy suburbs) and relatively flat. Spectators can get around easily by subway, popping up to cheer on their runners numerous times along the way. Good water/food breaks. Water every 2.5 - 3km and bananas at every stop from 15km onward. But what makes Hamburg great is the fans. They line the route from beginning to end and are at times 3-deep and very noisy near some of the subway stops. LOTS of fans in the last 7km, when you really need them. Estimates in 2004 were that 500,000 people came out to cheer on the runners! A great run!

I am a American marathoner with a PR of 2:18. I ran this race in 2002 as a training run, and I was amazed by it. The crowds along the course will keep you going strong to the finish. The best thing is that the crowds are thickest when you need them, from 30km to the finish. The fans are INSANE; it is like you are in the Olympics or something! The only better marathon in the world is Berlin. The German people love to run AND watch the marathon, and not just the fast runners, even if you are a 4-5 hours marathoner, they will stay and cheer for you too. ENJOY. Jason Mayeroff

It's not springtime without running a marathon in Hamburg. Fast and almost flat course (a little ascent near the end) - and with more than 500,000 spectators (making so much noise) this is a marathon experience you mustn't miss. It seems like the entire city was on the streets for this race. Enjoy the beautiful city. I only give the organization 4 stars because I think the race is very near to getting too big. With all the skaters and the increase in runners there is only hot water for the very first runners (been so for the last two/three years). But I'll be back anyway

The course isn't very fast because of the ascents, but it's great because there are many, many spectators.

Germany's second biggest marathon is now held for 16 years already. More than 20.000 participants (incl. skating contest), approx. 500.000 spectators and a fast track, not to mention the marvelous sights you get along the track speak for itself. Run through the red light district, marvel at large vessel at river Elbe, enjoy the two city lakes and combine your race with a prolonged stay at Germany's northernmost metropole. Huge marathon fair, warm showers, catering every 5km.

The course is flat and fast. One of Germany's largest marathons with 15.000 runners. The course is almost as good as the course in Berlin. The same applies for organisation. Spectators is where there is room for improvement. Hamburg Marathon has the potential for being Europe's first choice when it comes to a marathon in spring.