Berlin
Berlin Marathon · BMW BERLIN-MARATHON
By Global Marathon Routes editorial teamPublished Last updated
Interactive course map
aid stations: 18 · landmarks: 11Official course map
Open full size
Race facts
BMW BERLIN-MARATHONLandmarks along the way
- 1 kmVictory Column
- 3 kmErnst-Reuter-Platz
- 7 kmReichstag
- 11 kmAlexanderplatz
- 15 kmKottbusser Tor
- 17 kmHermannplatz
- 23 kmRathaus Schöneberg
- 35 kmKaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church
- 38 kmPotsdamer Platz
- 41 kmGendarmenmarkt
- FinishBrandenburg Gate
Aid stations and timing points
Major stations modelled on the published course maps, plus the half marathon split. Real races place stations closer together, so treat the spacing as indicative.
Course guide
Berlin is the acknowledged fastest marathon course in the world. It is flat, wide and run almost entirely on asphalt, and several men's and women's world records have been set here. The start and finish both sit beside the Brandenburg Gate, which makes the city centre the backdrop for the whole day.
The course
The race starts on Straße des 17. Juni west of the Brandenburg Gate and heads out through the Tiergarten past the Victory Column. The first half runs through the western and southern districts, then loops back through Kreuzberg and Neukölln, and the second half passes Alexanderplatz, the Reichstag and Potsdamer Platz before turning back towards the gate.
The final stretch runs back along Straße des 17. Juni and finishes at the Brandenburg Gate itself, with the gate framed ahead of you for the last kilometres.
| Section | KM | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Tiergarten | 0 to 10 | Wide, flat, sheltered by trees |
| West and south districts | 10 to 25 | Straight, fast, crowd pockets |
| Kreuzberg and Neukölln | 25 to 33 | Flat, livelier, a few turns |
| City centre | 33 to 40 | Alexanderplatz, Reichstag, Potsdamer Platz |
| Brandenburg Gate | 40 to 42.195 | Straight run to the finish |
Aid stations and the half split
Berlin is known for frequent refreshment points, with water roughly every 2.5 km in the real race. The map above models the major stations so the picture stays readable. The half marathon split falls in the southern loop, and the second half carries the gel points and the busiest medical stations.
What to watch for
- Pace discipline. The course is so fast that it is easy to run the first 10 km faster than planned. Berlin rewards even splits, not fast starts.
- Crowding at the start. The waves are large and the early kilometres are busy before the field spreads out.
- Temperature swing. Late September can be 8 °C at the start and 20 °C by the finish.
- Surface. Almost entirely asphalt, with only short cobbled sections.
Records
| Category | Time | Athlete | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men's course record | 2:01:09 | Eliud Kipchoge | 2022 |
| Women's course record | 2:11:53 | Tigst Assefa | 2023 |
Both times were world records when they were set, which is why Berlin is sometimes called the record course.
Practical notes
- Race day: late September. The next edition is scheduled for 26 September 2027.
- Entry: lottery plus fast-runner and charity entries, with a separate entry process for the inline skating and handbike events held the same weekend.
- Getting there: the start and finish area around the Brandenburg Gate is served by S-Bahn and U-Bahn stations at Potsdamer Platz and Brandenburger Tor.
- Weather: typically 8 to 18 °C with a moderate chance of rain.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to what runners ask most about this race. Every figure is checked against the official sources listed below.
When is the Berlin Marathon?
It is run in late September. The next edition is scheduled for 26 September 2027. The inline skating and handbike events run the same weekend.
Why is the Berlin Marathon so fast?
The course is flat, wide and run almost entirely on asphalt, with long straights and few sharp turns. Several men's and women's world records have been set here, including the current course records of 2:01:09 and 2:11:53.
How do you enter the Berlin Marathon?
Entry is by lottery, with additional fast-runner and charity entries. Demand follows the course's reputation, so the ballot is heavily oversubscribed.
Where does the Berlin Marathon start and finish?
Both the start and the finish sit beside the Brandenburg Gate: the race sets off on Straße des 17. Juni and finishes at the gate itself, so the last kilometres run straight towards it. The area is served by S-Bahn and U-Bahn stations at Potsdamer Platz and Brandenburger Tor.
What is the weather like on race day?
Late September in Berlin can start near 8 °C and finish near 20 °C, with a moderate chance of rain. The temperature swing is the main thing to plan clothing for.
How many runners take part?
About 60,000 runners are entered across the weekend's events, which makes Berlin one of the largest marathons in the world.
About this guide
Compiled by the site's editorial team from public race-organizer publications, course maps and results, then re-checked against the official race site before publishing. Course traces on the map follow the organizer's published course, simplified for the screen.
By
Global Marathon Routes editorial team
- Published
- Last updated
Checked against the official sources listed on this page.
Sources for this guide
Facts, dates and records on this page are taken from the primary sources below. Always confirm race-day details with the organizer.
Related links
Encyclopaedia entries for this race and the organizer's own site: history, records and background reading beyond this guide.