English Garden faces Munich Marathon closures on 11 October

The Munich Marathon will pass through the English Garden (Englischer Garten) in Munich on 11 October 2026, bringing a temporary change to access in the park. The race course runs past the Chinese Tower before continuing towards eastern Munich and the Werksviertel.

Munich Marathon crosses the park on 11 October

The Munich Marathon forms part of a running weekend held from 9 to 11 October 2026. The main race starts at 9am at Spiridon-Louis-Ring in the Olympic Park, while the finish is at Willi-Daume-Platz beside the Olympic Lake. The organiser lists a one-lap course of 42.195 kilometres through several Munich districts.

From the city centre, the course turns towards the park through Martiusstrasse and continues past the Chinese Tower. It then leads through Tivolistrasse, Montgelasstrasse and Oberfohringer Strasse towards the eastern districts. The organiser’s 11 October route names the English Garden among the course landmarks.

The City of Munich lists 40,930 registrations for the weekend and 12,300 runners for the full marathon. The event also includes a half marathon, a 10 KM Run and a relay. The marathon weekend is therefore not only a race through the city but also the reason for the temporary restrictions affecting the park.

The Chinese Tower marks the park section of the route

The English Garden stretches between Munich’s Altstadt and northern districts. It covers 376 hectares and contains the Eisbach Wave, Monopteros, Chinese Tower, Japanese Tea House and Kleinhesseloher Lake. These named places give the marathon route a different setting from its opening at the Olympic Park and its urban sections around Marienplatz and the Siegestor.

The park was laid out from 1789 as a public landscape garden. Sir Benjamin Thompson, later known as the Imperial Count of Rumford, helped inspire its creation, while Friedrich Ludwig von Sckell played a decisive role in its design. The Chinese Tower and Rumford House were built in 1790, linking the race route with the park’s early development. The park’s confirmed dimensions and landmarks provide the setting for this section of the course.

Temporary restrictions affect access on race day

On 11 October 2026, the City of Munich lists temporary restrictions in the English Garden from 8.45am to 1pm. The times may shift slightly as the race progresses. Streets along the wider course are also affected, and several bus and tram services are diverted or interrupted during the event.

The restrictions matter because the marathon crosses a working public park rather than a closed sports venue. A visitor heading towards the Chinese Tower in the morning may therefore encounter a changed route, while other park sections remain outside the named race corridor. BR24 also reports that the course passes through the English Garden and that transport services are affected on 11 October 2026.

Visiting English Garden: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• The Munich Marathon passes through the English Garden on 11 October 2026. The route includes the section around the Chinese Tower.
• Access restrictions in the park are listed from 8.45am to 1pm on 11 October 2026, with possible adjustments during the race.
• The park lies between Munich’s Altstadt, Lehel, Schwabing and northern districts. Public transport options include the U3 and U6, buses serving Chinesischer Turm and the tram to Tivolistrasse.
• Many paths are flat and paved, but the route to the Monopteros has a gradient of more than six per cent. The park also contains streams, bridges, meadows and wooded areas.

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Frequently asked questions about English Garden

When does the Munich Marathon take place at English Garden?

The Munich Marathon passes through the park on 11 October 2026. The main race starts at 9am in the Olympic Park.

What changes at English Garden on 11 October 2026?

Access restrictions are listed from 8.45am to 1pm because the marathon route crosses the park. The timing may change slightly as the race progresses.

Where is English Garden and how do you get there?

The park lies between Munich’s central and northern districts. Depending on the destination, visitors can use the U3 or U6, buses to Chinesischer Turm or the tram to Tivolistrasse.