15. LeseWelten Spendenlauf

Do Good While You Run!

Lace up your running shoes and do some good: This year, the LeseWelten charity run—the reading-aloud initiative of the Cologne Volunteer Agency—is once again making this possible. On Sunday, September 13, 2026, under the motto “Every step counts. Every story too,” we’re inviting running and reading enthusiasts to Cologne’s Stadtwald to run kilometers to raise donations.

Following last year’s success, we’re keeping our two new features: There will once again be a separate kids’ run for our little LeseWelten fans. Afterward, as a thank-you, there will be a storytime event in the storytime tent with our mascot, Liesbert. This year, we have a very special guest as our storyteller: Our patron and reading ambassador, children’s book author Andrea Karimé! We’re also once again offering official timing through Run Timing, as well as digital certificates. So even professional runners and speed enthusiasts will find something to enjoy.

Venue:Kölner Stadtwald | Corner of Friedrich-Schmidt-Str. and Kitschburger Str., 50933 Cologne

Schedule and Course Information:

• Starting at 9:30 a.m. – Arrival and distribution of race numbers
• 10:15 a.m. – Group warm-up: Beforethe start, we’ll make sure you’re fully prepared for the run with a group warm-up. Our story-reading monster Liesbert and patron André Gatzke will be there too!
• 10:30 a.m. – Startof the main race:Depending on how you’re feeling that day,chooseyour route on-site for running or walking: 3.4 km (1 lap) | 6.8 km (2 laps) | 10.2 km (3 laps). The charity run is suitable for all age groups, and the entry fee is 10 euros. Children 12 and under pay a reduced entry fee of 5 euros and are also warmly invited to the storytime tent after the run.
• 10:40 a.m. – Start of the Kids’ Run:One lap is 650 m. The children can decide for themselves how many laps they can complete. Support from accompanying adults running alongside them or using balance bikes is also allowed. The entry fee is 3 euros per child. After the Bambini Run, a special storytime event awaits the young participants in our storytime tent.

Join us and take part in the LeseWelten Charity Run so we can read aloud to even more children in Cologne on a regular basis. Registration is now open via our professional provider, runtiming.