Bonn Mara-fun

Two weeks ago, Bonn held its annual marathon, where a record setting 18,000 people ran either the 5k, 10k, half marathon, relay, or full marathon. We were encouraged at AiB to join this marathon, which many of my friends and I had planned to participate in since I heard about it. My mom ran in many marathons and still continues to do so at the age of 50, so when I told her about the Bonn marathon, she emphatically encouraged me to get some running shoes and start training. I planned to run the half marathon, but my host mom asked me if I would run the relay with her, since one of her friends that was going to run the relay with her dropped out. I ended up joining her, and I would only have to run 12.5 km (~7 miles) instead of a full half marathon. 

I trained vigorously for weeks before the marathon, running on a path along the Rhine that was near my home. This has become one of my favorite paths for walking or running, with a great view of the castle Schloss Drachenburg across the river. When the time came to do the marathon I was ready. The Sunday that the marathon took place was awesome, with the entire city of Bonn on the side of the streets out to support the runners. There were people handing out bananas, water, and gatorade while you were running, and after you were done with your part you could go to the Hofgarten, a city park, and get free food and beer. One of my favorite sights during the marathon was a group of guys who were pushing a chess board with two other guys playing a game while on the final stretch to the finish line. My team didn’t place very high, but it was a huge accomplishment for our team and me personally, since this was further than I had ever previously ran in my life. Some of my friends also ran and did very well in it, both in the full marathon and the relay. I thought the entire marathon culture brought the city together and was an incredible experience for me, and I hope to fulfill my mom’s wishes and continue to do half-marathons moving forward. 

-Seamus Barnes

Bonn Marathon: 18.000 Läufer*innen sorgen für ein unvergessliches Lauffest. (2025, July 4). Bundesstadt Bonn. https://www.bonn.de/pressemitteilungen/april/Bonn-Marathon-18.000-Laeufer-innen-sorgen-fuer-ein-unvergessliches-Lauffest.php?form=translationDisclaimer-Njg2ODQxOTI2&action=submit#translationDisclaimer-Njg2ODQxOTI2