Berlin Marathon

The world-record course. Nine men's WRs have fallen here since 2003, pancake flat, start to Brandenburg Gate.

Berlin is the marathon world record course, nine men's marathon world records have been set here since 2003, including every men's world record since 2013. Frequent venue for championship attempts.
Ballot opens
Sep 25, 2025
Window opens · free to enter
Passed
Ballot closes
Nov 6, 2025
Last day to submit
Passed
Draw / results
Nov 27, 2025
Winners notified
Passed
Race day
Sep 27, 2026
September 27, 2026
Next up
CLOSED NOV 6, 2025 · NEXT YEAR'S WINDOW TBD
BMW Berlin Marathon 2025 finisher medal
Medal · 2025
Climate

Past three years on race day

Historical conditions on the course, what to expect, what to pack.

2025 edition
22°
Sunny, hot
High28°
Low14°

Hottest Berlin ever · 27.6°C peak · top-10 men 3 min slower than 2024

Course·2025 route

Loop through central Berlin, finish under Brandenburg Gate

Course · 2025 View full route → Berlin Marathon course map, Tiergarten to Brandenburg Gate
BERLIN 42.195KM · FLATTEST MAJOR, WORLD RECORD COURSE
TiergartenBrandenburg Gate Cool, 10–15°C
Elevation

Course profile

The flattest of the seven Majors and the reason every men's marathon world record since 2013 has been set here. Long straights, sweeping turns, and barely any elevation change to disturb a fast pace.

Total ascent·51m
Total descent·49m
Highest point·57m @ 21 km
PAST RESULTS

Ballot history

BMW Berlin Marathon finisher counts have more than doubled since 1974. Browse every year's field size, ballot dates, and results.

2025 · Latest
49,831

Down 8% on 2024's 54K figure.

View 2025 results
Finishers · 1974 → 2025 39 editions
2442363112301972222943K5K7K10K11K13K13K13K25K15K14K12K17K15K21K27K33K36K32K41K34K33K34K41K39K41K44K25K35K48K54K50K
'74'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'93'94'95'97'98'00'02'04'07'09'10'11'12'16'17'18'19'21'22'23'24'25
2025
49,831
finishers
51ST EDITION
2024
54,280
finishers
50TH EDITION
2023
48,000
finishers
49TH EDITION
2022
34,879
finishers
48TH EDITION
2021
24,796
finishers
47TH EDITION
2020
CANCELLED
Photos

On the course

Scenes from the 2025 edition, the finish through the Brandenburg Gate and the crowds along Unter den Linden.

Berlin Marathon 2025 finish through the Brandenburg Gate on the world-record marathon course
Finish · 2025
Berlin Marathon 2025 spectators along Unter den Linden and Potsdamer Platz cheering runners
Crowd · 2025
FAQ

Common questions

When is the 2026 BMW Berlin Marathon?

The 2026 BMW Berlin Marathon runs on Sunday, September 27, 2026. Berlin's course finishes under the Brandenburg Gate in the heart of the city.

What are the odds of getting into the Berlin Marathon lottery?

Berlin's lottery has roughly 20% odds, among the most forgiving of the Majors after Chicago. The lottery typically opens in late September the year before the race and closes about six weeks later.

Why is Berlin considered the world record marathon course?

Berlin is the flattest course of the seven Majors, with minimal elevation change and long straight stretches. Nine men's marathon world records have been set on the Berlin course since 2003, including every men's world record since 2013.

What are the Berlin Marathon qualifying times?

Good-for-age standards are 2:45 for men and 3:00 for women. Meeting the standard guarantees entry outside the general lottery, making Berlin the most accessible qualifier route among the Majors.

What is the Berlin Marathon charity minimum?

Official charity partners typically require €1,500+ in fundraising for a guaranteed bib. This is the lowest charity minimum among the major marathons, reflecting the comparatively better lottery odds.

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Berlin · Simulated
Free · No signup

See if Berlin pulls your name.

~20% odds compounded across the years you would actually enter. Average runner is in by their 4th ballot.

Simulate Berlin ~30 seconds · BMW Berlin