Dear participants,
In just a few weeks, we’ll turn the streets of Hamburg into the biggest 21.1-kilometre party this city has ever seen – and you’ll be part of it! To help you prepare for race day, we’re sharing the important event information with you. Further details will follow soon.
You can collect your race materials at the Hamburg Messe, East Entrance (Bei den Kirchhöfen 1, Hamburg-St. Pauli) during the following opening hours:
Fri, 26 June 2026, 10:00 a.m.–08:00 p.m.
Sat, 27 June 2026, 10:00 a.m.–08:00 p.m.
Sun, 28 June 2026, 07:00 a.m.–08:30 a.m.
To collect your race materials, please bring a valid photo ID and this email, either digitally or as a printout. Please also have your start number ready.
Please note: You may also collect race materials on behalf of other participants. In this case, you will need a copy of the participant’s photo ID, a signed authorisation letter, and the email containing their start number.
As parking near the event site is very limited, we strongly recommend travelling by public transport.
If you plan to arrive by car, we recommend allowing extra time to find a parking space. The following event-adjacent paid parking facilities will be accessible during the event:
Need an overview? No problem – take a look at the are maps to help you find your way around. Additional signage along all access routes to the exhibition grounds will make orientation even easier.
Timing will be recorded exclusively via the transponder integrated into your race bib. Please do not bend, remove, or tamper with the transponder in any way. It does not need to be returned and can be disposed of after the race.
Your race bib must be worn unchanged and clearly visible on the front of your sportswear at all times during the event. Safety pins for attaching the bib will be available on site upon request.
The race bib also includes a small detachable section. Please use this section to label your bag when using the free bag drop service (available only on race day in Hall B5; see also Bag Drop-off).
Important information for participants using hydration packs: We have increasingly observed that hydration packs can interfere with the proper functioning of the transponders integrated into race bibs. Please ensure that the shoulder straps of your pack do not cover any part of the race bib and that no liquid can come into contact with the transponder.
If you have pre-ordered the official finisher shirt or the commemorative performance socks for the 32nd hella hamburg half, you will find a collection voucher in your race pack. Please present this voucher at the merchandise collection point, located on the right-hand side near the exit.
The shirt and socks – along with additional merchandise items – will also be available for purchase during the event weekend at a price of €35.00 (shirt) and €20.00 (socks).
Please note: Availability is limited and sales are subject to stock remaining.
Important: Pre-ordered merchandise, whether a shirt or socks, must be collected no later than 9:00 a.m. on race day. Any unclaimed items will subsequently be released for general sale. Delivery is not available.
In addition to the official event shirt and performance socks, a range of other hella hamburg half merchandise is available. You can purchase these items at the Sports Expo at Hamburg Messe (East) during the opening hours of race materials pickup, or pre-order selected products in advance. Please note that all merchandise is available while supplies last.
Click here to explore the 2026 merchandise collection.
Let’s not beat around the bush: it can get quite warm at the hella hamburg half. And when temperatures start to rise, race day may not be the right occasion to chase a personal best. Instead, consider easing off the pace and enjoying the experience rather than melting away on the course.
Find out what else you should keep in mind in our heat guide.
Please make sure to arrive at your assigned start wave in good time. This helps ensure a smooth flow of participants on the course, minimises overtaking, and reduces congestion in narrower sections and at refreshment stations.
08:30 a.m. — Start Wave A
08:45 a.m. — Start Wave B
09:00 a.m. — Start Wave C
09:15 a.m. — Start Wave D
09:30 a.m. — Start Wave E
09:45 a.m. — Start Wave F
10:00 a.m. — Start Wave G
Click to enlarge
A few additional notes:
Our pacemakers will once again be on hand this year to help participants reach their target times and cross the finish line right on schedule. Five pacemakers will be available for each of the most desired finish times:
< 1:30 h
< 1:45 h
< 2:00 h
< 2:15 h
< 2:30 h
Join their group and look out for the men and women carrying the blue beach flags in the start area.
Please note that, due to the allocation of participants to different start blocks, pacemakers for the same target time may be spread across multiple start waves.
Of course, we are prepared for summer temperatures. Our proven hydration concept ensures regular refreshment for both body and mind throughout the race. A total of seven supply stations will be available along the course. In addition, you’ll find further refreshment opportunities in the pre-start area and at the finish, which we strongly encourage you to make use of if temperatures rise.
You can find detailed information in our Heat Guide.
Yes! On race day (Sunday, 28 June 2026), your bib number doubles as a public transport ticket. It allows you to travel to and from the event venue on all HVV services within fare zones A–F, free of charge.
You can view your result immediately after finishing via the online results list and download your preliminary certificate (without final placing).
The final certificates (including official placing) will be available after the protest period has ended on Tuesday, June 30, 2026.
Honour where honour is due! At approximately 11:00 a.m., the winners in the following categories will be honoured on the stage in front of the entrance to Hamburg Messe (East).
Absolutely!
Our official photography partner will be stationed at six locations along the course to capture your race highlights. Your photos will be available for purchase during the week following the event on Meine-Sportfotos.de.
In cooperation with NDR (German television), the elite race will be broadcast live on the event’s official YouTube channel.
Our live coverage will feature action from the Reeperbahn, the Landungsbrücken, the Alster, and the finish area, and will run approximately from 8:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. on race day.
That’s all for now. More detailed information the event programme, will follow soon.
