hella hamburg halbmarathon rescheduled for 25th October

The decision was made after considering key logistical and organizational factors. Crucial considerations included the availability of event venues, indoor spaces, volunteers, and service providers; the schedule of other major events; the need to avoid another race in extreme heat; and coordination with planned roadworks.

“We are pleased to be able to announce a new date so quickly. Participants can look forward to the full event experience this autumn,” says Steven Richter, Managing Director of the organizer BMS Die Laufgesellschaft, anticipating the event. At this stage, major changes are expected only in the finish area. “The availability of more extensive expo space opens up entirely new possibilities for us—opportunities we don’t want to miss,” Richter adds.

The 24,000 registered runners can now decide what to do with their race entry. They have the option to transfer their entry to the new date or withdraw from the event. In the event of withdrawal, entry fees—including any booked extras (merchandise, cancellation option, and medal engraving)—will be fully refunded.

Returned race entries will subsequently be made available again, allowing the event to reach its original participation limit. This revenue is much needed by the organizer: the decision to postpone—made independently—resulted in a financial loss in the mid-six-figure range.

“It will likely take three to five years for us to fully recover from this. However, we have received tremendous support from the running community over the past few days. This gives us confidence that the event’s future is secure,” says Steven Richter. The hella hamburg half marathon was originally scheduled to take place on Sunday, June 28, 2026. Temperatures of up to 40°C had been forecast for the day of the event. Following a thorough assessment of the weather conditions and close consultation with experts, authorities, and partners, it was announced on the Wednesday prior to the event that the half marathon would not go ahead under these conditions.

Despite having a comprehensive heat safety plan in place, the organizer was unwilling to take any health risks or place an additional burden on the local healthcare system. “We stand by this decision. The health of the participants, volunteers, and all emergency personnel was our top priority,” affirmed Steven Richter.

What this means for the future of the event is not yet clear. “We want to take the necessary time to work with our partners to develop a sustainable solution for the coming years,” Richter concluded.