Gorch Fock Run

About the Event

Seagull cries. Mudflat views. Guaranteed wind. The Gorch‑Fock‑Lauf returns to Wilhelmshaven on Sunday, June 14, 2026, for its 21st edition. Marathon (8:50 AM), half marathon (9:15 AM), 10 km (11:15 AM), 5 km (10:15 AM), and Schülerläufe (children’s races) from U8 to U16. DLV‑certified course — official measurements, official rankings.

EUROGATE/Hapag‑Lloyd Marathon
8:50 AM start

Half Marathon
9:15 AM start

10 km
11:15 AM start

Medienhaus 5 km
10:15 AM start

Schülerläufe (U8 to U16)
12:15 PM – 1:50 PM • 600 m / 1.5 km / 5 km depending on age group

What's Not Allowed (No exceptions, disqualification otherwise):

Bikes, inline skates, e‑scooters, skateboards
Dogs or any animals
Strollers / baby joggers (risk of falls and obstruction)
Headphones or music devices of any kind (you may miss announcements or warning signals)
Nordic walking poles
Shortcutting the course or using outside help
Glass bottles or any dangerous items

Packet Pickup & Race Shirts:

Saturday, June 13 — 1:00‑4:00 PM at Atlantic Hotel business center (Jadeallee 50, WHV)
Sunday, June 14 — from 7:00 AM until one hour before your start at Pumpwerk‑Gastronomie
Shirts can be ordered during registration

Runner’s Service & Re‑registration:

After registration you receive a confirmation email with a self‑service link to change distances (no changes on race day). Keep your confirmation email safe.
Registration phases: Frühplaner (Feb 1 – Mar 31), Standard (Apr 1 – May 31), Nachmeldephase (Jun 1 – Jun 14, including on‑site).

Club & School Competition (€ prize money):

For clubs and schools in Wilhelmshaven, Jever, Schortens, Friesland
Top 5 clubs/schools with the most participants aged 6‑16 who finish their race win
Based on participant count relative to total members (clubs) or total students (schools)
Minimum 5 finishers required to qualify
Teachers/trainers can request a code for collective billing (no upfront payment) — email [email protected]

Extras:

Live moderation, DJs, and live acts along the course
Finisher medal (2026 design — “as always an eye‑catcher”)
Runner’s service on Saturday: Läufergottesdienst (runner’s service) at Christus‑Garnisonkirche, 6:00 PM with Pastor Morgenstern
Volunteers needed — contact the organizer
Results and downloadable certificates via Race|Result
Photos from start/finish and course by Tommy Doescher, Etta Schoof, Hans Seringer (2025 edition)

3.1 mm

ac_unit Avg snowfall

—

air Avg wind speed

14.2 km/h (Gentle breeze)

opacity Sweat loss rate

Moderate

terrain Course conditions

Firm and slightly soft

sunny Max UV Index

Moderate (5.6)

humidity_mid Humidity

75.9%

wb_twilight Sunrise

04:59

nightlight Sunset

21:56

About Wilhelmshaven

Learn more about the host city, Wilhelmshaven.

Wilhelmshaven is in East Frisia. The city's population in 2018 was about 76,000. Wilhelmshaven's main claim to fame is its connection to the sea and its function as a harbour.