City run 5.5 km

Participants will be divided into three starting sectors based on their own information. The race will start with a single starting signal. The time limit for the 5.5 km race is 1 hour. Timing will be carried out by Datasport in real time.

Please check the 2026 start times, especially the updated start time for the M45 category.

Award ceremony: Immediately after crossing the finish line on the market square. The top 3 in each category will be awarded. No prizes will be sent by post – please attend the award ceremony in person.

Race numbers are sent by post exclusively to addresses in Switzerland. Each race number is mailed individually.

Participants with an address outside Switzerland must collect their race number on the day of the event at the race number distribution point on Münsterplatz (1:30 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.).

Important: The participant's surname must be clearly displayed on the letterbox. If the race number is to be delivered to another person, the addition c/o (care of) must be provided during registration.
If a race number cannot be delivered, does not arrive in time or is returned to the organiser, it will also be available for collection at the race number distribution point. Upon presentation of the registration confirmation, a replacement race number will be issued free of charge if required.

What is noted on the race bib?

• Name, year of birth, category and start time: Personal details are clearly printed.
• Starting sector: Indicates the area in which you must line up at the start.
• Medal (optional): If selected during registration, this will be noted on the race bib.
• Emergency information: Personal details (e.g. emergency contact, medical information) can be added by hand on the back of the race bib.
• Timekeeping: The transponder for timekeeping is permanently attached to the race bib and must not be removed or tampered with.

No on-site registrations are possible.

Online registration closes on Saturday, 31 October 2026.

Participants in the U18 to Over 70 categories are assigned to one of three starting sectors based on the information they provide. The sector signs numbered 1–3 in the start area are neutral in colour. The starting sectors are colour-coded exclusively on the race bibs, providing an additional visual check upon entry.

All sectors start together with a single starting signal. Timing is provided by Datasport in real time.

The finish line is located on the market square. After the race, all finishers will receive a commemorative gift.

The announcement of the rankings will also take place on the market square immediately after the race. The first three in each category will be awarded and must attend the award ceremony themselves. Prizes will not be sent by post.

The Municipality of Basel is offering all participants in the Basel City Run a free public transport ticket for the North-Western Switzerland Transport Association (TNW).

The ticket is valid on Saturday, 21 November 2026 on all TNW routes (including SBB 2nd class) – for the journey to and from the race.

The TNW ticket will be:

• by post together with the starting documents (only to addresses within Switzerland), and
• by email approximately one week before the race as a digital ticket from Datasport. (Please also check your spam folder!)

A big thank you to the civic community for this environmentally friendly commitment!

An optional protection for the paid entry fee can be added during registration via Datasport. If a participant is unable to start, for example due to illness or accident, the protected participant will receive a refund of the paid entry fee in the form of a voucher from Datasport upon presentation of a medical certificate. The terms and conditions of the Startsafe Refund Service apply.

The start list and rankings are provided by our timekeeper Datasport. You can find your registered category and the current rankings at the following link.
A personal finisher's certificate is also available for download there under your name.

Timekeeping is provided by Datasport AG using state-of-the-art real-time transponder technology.

Real Time

This technology accurately records the actual time taken by each participant. When crossing special measuring mats, the transponder on the race bib automatically sends a signal that electronically records the time.

Start and end of timekeeping

Timekeeping starts when the start line is crossed – this must be done within two minutes of the official start signal. Participants must start in the sector assigned to their category.

During the race, an intermediate time is recorded at each lap. Timekeeping ends when the finish line is crossed.

Transponder

The transponder is permanently attached to the race bib by Datasport and must not be removed or tampered with.

It is not permitted to use your own transponder – in particular, so-called master chips do not work.

Centrally located cloakrooms are available in the immediate vicinity of the start and finish areas:

• Ladies and gentlemen:
  Leonhard Gymnasium, entrance on Leonhardstrasse
  (see event schedule)

The cloakrooms will be open on the day of the event from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Shower facilities are also available at the changing rooms.

There are no parking facilities available in the cloakroom area or along the running route. We recommend travelling by public transport. Alternatively, you can use the Basel parking guidance system.

Valuables can be deposited free of charge in the valuables storage area near the cloakrooms and collected again by 10 p.m. at the latest upon presentation of your race number. The organiser accepts no liability for theft. If you have any questions about lost items, please contact info@baslerstadtlauf.ch.