🇩🇪Berlin, Germany
BMW Berlin Marathon
Expected September 2027
Photo: Lear 21 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped
Race facts
Next edition · 2027
Expected September 2027
Date not yet confirmedEstimated from the usual calendar slot. Last edition: Sep 27, 2026.
Course
61 melevation gain
- Distance · surface
- 42.2 km · Road
- Layout
- Loop, exceptionally flat
- Profile
- Flat throughout — no meaningful climbs, on wide boulevards
Entry
Lottery, or guaranteed entry via a fast recent time, charity, or a tour operator
- 2027 entry
- Not yet recorded. Check the official site for dates and status.
- Registration
- Lottery typically opens the autumn before the race
Dates and entry details change. Confirm with the organiser before you book.
PB potential
World-record territory — one of the fastest courses on the planet
Beginner friendly
Great for newcomers — manageable course, strong support
About this race
Berlin is the go-to race for anyone chasing a personal best or a qualifier. The course record (Kelvin Kiptum's 2:00:35) stands as the world record, and the combination of pristine September weather, a flat asphalt surface, perfectly spaced pacers, and excellent logistics makes it the fastest road marathon on the planet for the average runner too. The route threads through Brandenburg Gate, past the Berlin Wall memorial, and through several of the city's historic districts, finishing dramatically at the Tiergarten. General entry is by lottery, with guaranteed places available via a fast recent time, charity or a tour operator. The autumn timing means ideal temperatures — typically 12–18°C at the gun — and exceptional crowd support lining every major boulevard.
Typical race-day weather
Temperature
12–20°C
Humidity
45–60%
Conditions
Crisp and clear, classic PB conditions
Wind
5–15 km/h variable
Who this race suits
PB-hunters above all — the fastest big-city course in the world, ideal for a personal best or a Boston qualifier.
The best mass-participation PB course on earth: pancake-flat, smooth asphalt, reliable September weather, and superb pacing. Beginner-friendly too, given the flat profile.
Overview
- Field size
- ~45,000 finishers
- Cut-off time
- 6 hours 15 minutes
- Reputation
- Site of multiple marathon world records
- Pace support
- Well-organised pace teams for common target times
Course intelligence
- Highlights
- Threads historic districts and finishes through the Brandenburg Gate
- Surface
- Smooth asphalt
Registration
- Note
- Guaranteed-time entries and tour packages are the reliable routes if the lottery misses
Race weekend
- Expo
- EXPO at the former Tempelhof Airport — in-person bib pickup
- Note
- The inline-skating marathon runs the day before
Travel & logistics
- Best airport
- Berlin Brandenburg (BER)
- Getting around
- U-Bahn and S-Bahn cover the city — buy a day travel pass
- Where to stay
- Mitte, near the Tiergarten for start and finish access
Runner tips
- Trust the flat profile and lock into goal pace early — there are no hills to save energy for.
- September can be warmer than expected; have a hot-weather pacing plan as backup.
- The Brandenburg Gate is under a kilometre from the finish — save something for the final straight, not the arch.
Qualifies for
Entry information
Next edition date estimated — confirm exact date with the official site.
Pace Band
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