WVV Marathon Würzburg 2026: our age-group winners
May 28, 2026Thank you for being part of the WVV Marathon Würzburg 2026!
The WVV Marathon Würzburg on 10 May 2026 was a special day in the city’s running history. With around 7,000 registrations and more than 6,000 runners on the start line, the 24th edition set new participation records. Never before had so many runners taken part in the event.
The half marathon was particularly strong. Around 3,800 finishers completed the 21.1 kilometres — about 1,000 more than in the previous record year, 2025. Jakob Breinlinger of TV Alzey was the fastest in the large field. He led from start to finish to win convincingly in 1:12:03, well ahead of Luis Bonfig of TSV Iphofen and Thomas Heß.
The women’s title stayed in Würzburg: Delia Leibfried of Absolute Run Crew Würzburg won in a new personal best of 1:21:32. Elina Gradl of SC Kemmern finished just 17 seconds later to take second place after an exciting race. Tamara Morent was third.
The winners and many other happy finishers praised the atmosphere along the slightly revised course. The new sections, with even more kilometres beside the River Main, proved popular with many runners. Along the river, in the city centre and around the start and finish, supporters, spectators and numerous bands created an unforgettable atmosphere.
Roving reporter Jan Fitschen also played a big part in the day’s atmosphere. The former European champion brought plenty of energy to the event and was impressed by Würzburg’s enthusiasm for the marathon.
The early-summer weather was a welcome bonus for spectators, but an extra challenge for marathon runners. Bright sunshine and warm temperatures made the 42.195 kilometres demanding.
Marathon winner Alexander Bier of LG Eckental felt the effects too. At halfway he was still on course for 2:27, but he eventually crossed the line in 2:32:48. His victory on his marathon debut was never seriously threatened, however, and he had every reason to be pleased at the finish. Maximilian Lang and the previous year’s winner Florian Koch completed the podium.
The lead changed several times in the women’s marathon. In the end, on Mother’s Day, young mother Nina Hauck of Adidas Runners Munich came out on top. She had travelled to Würzburg aiming to break three hours for the first time. She achieved that goal in 2:59:20 — and won the WVV Marathon Würzburg as well. Running at a very steady pace, she gradually passed all the women who had started faster and were feeling the heat. Emilia Bergerhoff and Martina Dannheimer joined her on the podium.
The total of 888 marathon finishers was the highest since 2010, even though it was not a new record. Around 300 runners also took part in the relays, with about 900 in the MetaComp 10 km FunRun. There were strong performances there too: Bastian Markgraf was the fastest man in 33:25, and Eva Maria Sulzer the fastest woman in 36:05.
One particularly welcome result for the organisers was that, despite the larger field and warm temperatures, the emergency crews were less busy than in previous years. “We set a record too, in the best possible sense,” said Uwe Kinstle of Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe.
Event director David Lux could look back with satisfaction on a successful event. He gave particular thanks to the roughly 500 volunteers, without whom an event of this size would not be possible. He also thanked the City of Würzburg, the police, fire service, Johanniter, all service providers and the many partners and sponsors.
A running weekend like this depends on strong support, and that support is in place in Würzburg for the years ahead. Dr Dörte Schulte-Derne, managing director of title sponsor WVV, looks forward to continuing the successful partnership with Stadtmarathon Würzburg.
Find all the results from the WVV Marathon Würzburg 2026 here:
Once again, photographers captured many special moments throughout marathon weekend — from the children’s races and marathon expo on Saturday to the start, course and finish on Sunday.
Thank you to every runner, volunteer, spectator, sponsor and partner. You made the WVV Marathon Würzburg 2026 a record-breaking day.
