Participants of the ebm-papst marathon have the opportunity for a dress rehearsal two weeks before the event on September 8 and 9, 2018. This year the exercise run starts at 8 o'clock due to the persistent heat. Every year around 100 participants take part in the training run. There are two routes to choose from, covering around ten or 21 kilometres. The short route leads from the outdoor pool in Niedernhall to the cycle path in the direction of Künzelsau and back. The longer route leads through the vineyards and is particularly useful for getting to know the later marathon route. Nevertheless, participation is also well worth it for runners of the ten-kilometre or half-marathon distances: "Although no times are taken, there are food and refreshment stands on the way and you can join a pace maker to maintain a certain speed. This allows beginners in particular to test their performance under conditions similar to competition," explains Corinna Zürn of the organization team of the ebm-papst Marathon. It is not necessary to register in advance, if you want to run with us, you just have to join in. For Nordic Walking fans, the ebm-papst Marathon traditionally starts on Saturday already. Participants can choose between distances of 12.5 and 7.5 kilometres. This year the short distance was extended by half a kilometre at the request of many, so that the performance can be credited for the German Sports Badge. An official examiner will also be present on 8 September. If you need proof of participation in walking, you can let us know when you pick up your starting documents. The first starting shot for the running disciplines will be fired at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday: First the marathon runners start on their 42,195-km-long distance through the vineyards, at 9:05 the runners over ten and at 9:25 o'clock over 21 kilometers. A very special highlight awaits the spectators here in 2018. The Baden-Württemberg Half Marathon Championships will be held this year as part of the ebm-papst Marathon, which should attract some top athletes to the Kocher Valley. Since 2010 the children's runs have been an integral part of the running event in the Kochertal. 396 girls and boys participated in the four disciplines last year. This year, the mini half-marathon distance of 2.1 kilometres was opened for years up to 2005, as the mini-marathon of 4.2 kilometres was still too long for many children. Not only the children's runs prove that even the little ones enjoy running. The motivation is even greater at the children's charity run, which takes place every year from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays according to the motto "Children run for children". All children under the age of ten years are welcome to run through a fun and varied obstacle course as often as they like. For every round ebm-papst donates 50 cents, this year the revenues go to the Sports Youth Tauberbischofsheim/Bad Mergentheim and the Sports Youth Hohenlohe. On the event grounds and in the tent, spectators are also offered an attractive supporting programme with clubs from the region, and catering is also provided. In the past, it was not always easy for many participants and visitors to find a parking space, so the organization team of the Hohenlohe Police Sports Association and main sponsor ebm-papst came up with something. On the premises of Würth Elektronik in Waldzimmern additional parking facilities will be created, from here a shuttle bus will run all day long to take visitors to Niedernhall to the event site. From 06:30 to 11:00 the shuttle runs every 15 minutes, from 11:00 to 15:30 every 30 minutes.