Cologne Marathon 2025: Traffic chaos and closures await drivers!

Cologne Marathon 2025: Traffic chaos and closures await drivers!

The 27th Cologne Marathon will take place on Sunday, October 5, 2025, which will not only attract thousands of runners, but will also cause massive traffic disruptions for drivers. As express.de reports, numerous streets in and around Cologne will be closed during the event. More than 36,000 participants, including a remarkable 81-year-old runner, are expected as the marathon route runs 42.2 kilometers through popular districts such as Rodenkirchen, Lindenthal, Ehrenfeld and Nippes to Cologne Cathedral.

Preparations for the marathon begin on Friday, October 3rd, with the first closures. Drivers should be prepared for many restrictions, especially in the city center and in the affected districts. After all, the entire marathon route will be closed to vehicle traffic from around 7 a.m. on Sunday. In order to cope with the crowds of spectators, it is recommended to use public transport, as the Cologne transport company will change its timetable on race day from 7:30 a.m. to around 6:45 p.m [t-online.de].

Details about the closures

From Saturday, October 4th, from 6:30 p.m. to Sunday, around 4 p.m., important streets such as Mindener Straße, Ottoplatz and Auenweg in Cologne-Deutz will be closed. In addition, many access roads and streets in the city center are affected, such as Gereonstrasse and Tunisstrasse. The city center will be inaccessible to parts of traffic until Monday morning, around 4:30 a.m. Especially in districts such as Bayenthal, Rodenkirchen and Severinsviertel, residents have to be prepared for disruptions from 9:30 a.m. to around 1 p.m., while the closures in Sülz and Lindenthal lasted from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Another note for all residents: During the closures, the left bank of the Rhine remains accessible via the Severins and Zoo Bridges, which represents an alternative route. Spectators and participants should definitely pay attention to several pieces of information that koeln.de provides, such as information about the refreshment points and toilets that are available along the route.

A celebration for the runners

However, the event promises not only restrictions, but also a celebration of running. In addition to the marathon, there will be competitions for all ages, including a relay marathon and a children's run. Spectators can look forward to a food village at the finish area where snacks and drinks, including refreshing Kölsch, will be provided. An after-run party on the Neumarkt rounds off the day and promises an exuberant atmosphere.

With the prospect of best times and the unique running atmosphere, the Cologne Marathon is the highlight for many runners. The city will be all about sport on Sunday, even if drivers have to prepare for diversions and closures. We can only hope that there is no shortage of fun for everyone!