2025: Preview

MAGAZINE

ALL INFO ABOUT

YOUR MARATHON

WEEKEND

September 20/21, 2025

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© Bundesregierung/Steffen Kugler

Dr. Christiane Schenderlein

Welcome to this year’s

51st BMW BERLIN-

MARATHON! I warmly greet

all the runners as well as the

many spectators!

A marathon is much more

than a sporting competition –

it is a symbol of perseverance,

determination, and community.

Those who take on this

challenge demonstrate not

only great endurance but also

remarkable mental strength.

Greeting from the

State Minister for

Sport and Volunteering

I am deeply impressed that

this year more than 52,000

people are motivated to

push beyond their limits

while bringing joy and fairness

to the course. I hope

- 3 -

that all participants will

achieve their very own goals

– whether that is a personal

best time, a specific placement,

or simply finishing

well. Berlin has always been

a great place for record performances!

My heartfelt thanks go to

the organizers, the many

volunteer helpers, the emergency

services and police

forces, as well as the sponsors,

all of whom contribute

with great commitment to

making this event a success.

I wish all participants a successful

and injury-free race,

the spectators exciting moments

along the route, and

all of us an unforgettable

experience here in Berlin!

Dr. Christiane Schenderlein

State Minister at the Federal Chancellery

for Sport and Volunteering

- 4 -

- 5 -

© Yves Sucksdorff-Senatskanzlei

Kai Wegner

nized race, but a city that

lives, breathes, and celebrates

sports – together

with a million enthusiastic

fans. More than 54,000

runners from 161 countries

crossed the finish line during

the 50th anniversary race

last year. Beyond making

the Berlin Marathon the largest

race of its kind worldwide,

this record number of

Greeting from the

Governing Mayor of Berlin

The Berlin Marathon is a

highlight for Berlin as a

sports capital – and for runners

around the world. Top

athletes, recreational runners,

wheelchair racers, skaters,

or handbikers: everyone

taking part experiences

not just an expertly orga-

finishers is also a clear sign

of our city’s openness and

diversity.

At the same time, this top

event impressively demonstrates

that Berlin hosts

major sports events with

professionalism and a lot of

heart. And this ability is pro-

- 6 -

G r u ß w o r t

des Regierenden Bürgermeisters von Berlin

für das Programmheft zum Berlin-Marathon am 2

pelling us toward one of our

important goals: collaborating

with four other German

states to bring the Olympic

and Paralympic Games to

Germany and to Berlin.

But now it’s time to focus on

the 51st Berlin Marathon. I

join you in looking forward

to a day filled with energy,

emotion, and personal successes.

One thing is certain:

once again, Berlin will

do everything in its power

to set the perfect stage for

a wonderful celebration of

sports with many great moments.

In this spirit, I welcome

everyone running, rolling,

skating, or handbiking –

and the spectators – to the

51st BMW BERLIN-MA-

RATHON! I wish us all a

good race, unforgettable

impressions, and perhaps

even a new record or two.

My special thanks go to

everyone making this celebration

of sports a success:

the organizational team from

SCC Events; the lead sponsor

of many years, BMW;

all the other sponsors; and,

of course, the many volunteers.

Herzlich Willkommen zum BMW Berlin-Marathon 2023. Rund 4

sind am Start, um ihren Traum zu leben. Die Weltspitze ist

Freizeitläufer, Walker, Handbiker und Rennrollstuhlfahrer. Hie

persönliche Rekorde gebrochen oder einfach das intensive G

kommen. Wer einmal dabei war, wird dieses Ereignis nic

Stimmung entlang der Strecke, das Panorama Berliner Sehensw

– am Ende – den Stolz darauf, die 42 Kilometer geschafft zu ha

Sie alle haben hart trainiert, um für diese große Herausforderu

dass Sie beim Berlin-Marathon 2023 dabei sind. Nun wünsche

Start fit sind und die volle Marathondistanz mit Bravour bewä

Marathon 2023 wird für Sie alle ein unvergessliches Erlebnis. In

die laufen, walken, rollen oder handbiken, ein erfolgreiches

Aufenthalt in der Sportmetropole Berlin. Zugleich danke ich a

Helfern, die wieder einmal zum erfolgreichen Gelingen des Be

Kai Wegner Kai Wegner

Regierender Governing Mayor Bürgermeister of Berlin von Berlin

- 7 -

Christian Ach

tre course through the German

capital. They make the

BMW BERLIN-MARATHON

a truly unique sporting

event in Germany and one

of the largest marathons in

the world. More than just an

elite race, it is a festival of

running that stands for joy,

openness, and friendly in-

Greeting from the title sponsor

Just like all of you, we at

BMW are excitedly looking

forward to the BMW

BERLIN-MARATHON. It is

our great pleasure to welcome

you for the 14th time as

the title partner of this fantastic

sporting event.

Around 55,000 participants

from roughly 160 nations

– from world-class athletes

to passionate amateur

runners – will once again

take on the 42.195-kilome-

tercultural encounters – values

that are deeply embedded

in the BMW Group‘s

identity.

It is therefore only fitting

that we’ve chosen the BMW

BERLIN-MARATHON 2025

to mark a very special premiere.

There could be no

more suitable event for the

first „race deployment“ of

the new BMW iX3, where

endurance is everything.

This fully electric lead ve-

hicle is the first production

model of the Neue Klasse,

signaling the BMW Group’s

leap into a new era of individual

mobility – electric, digital,

and circular. The new

BMW iX3 will be unveiled

at IAA Mobility in Munich.

Shortly afterwards, it will

already be on the streets

of Berlin alongside worldclass

athletes. With its bold

design language, up to 800

kilometres of range, rapid

charging capability, and a

completely reimagined display

and operating concept,

the new BMW iX3 is ready

to impress.

To ensure everything runs

smoothly, the BMW Group

is also supporting the organizers

with a fleet of locally

emission-free vehicles:

the BMW iX2 as the

Safety Car, the BMW iX for

race management, and various

BMW i4 and BMW

i5 models as lead vehicles

in the different competitions.

BMW motorcycles and

scooters from our Berlin

plant will also be in action at

this remarkable event.

Now it’s my great pleasure

to wish you, on behalf of

the BMW Group, lots of joy,

success, and an electrifying

experience at the BMW

BERLIN-MARATHON 2025.

Christian Ach

BMW Group

Head of BMW Germany

Christian Jost

Jürgen Lock

Greeting from

the organisers

On behalf of SCC

EVENTS (the organizer

of the BMW BERLIN-MA-

RATHON), we warmly welcome

you. On September

21, 2025, Berlin will once

again rise to become an

international stage of spor-

ting excellence when SCC

EVENTS, as organizer of

the BMW BERLIN-MARA-

THON, welcomes athletes

from more than 160 nations.

On this day, the streets

of the German capital will

be transformed into a mo-

- 10 -

nument of peaceful competition,

a stage on which the

universal language of sport

is spoken. After the memorable

50th anniversary of


THON, which set a record

with 54,280 finishers, well

over 50,000 runners will

once again cross the finish

line this year in the shadow

of the Brandenburg Gate.

The course offers a unique

experience through the history,

architecture, and vibrant

life of the metropolis

on the River Spree. All of

this takes place on an exceptionally

flat and fast

course, which has already

produced 13 marathon

world records – a globally

unmatched distinction that

has made Berlin a pilgrimage

site for the international

running community. In Berlin,

achieving personal bests

seems almost natural; here,

world-class athletes and

ambitious recreational runners

meet on equal footing.

Since 2006, the BMW BER-

LIN-MARATHON has been

a founding member of the

Abbott World Marathon

Majors (Abbott WMM), an

alliance of the world’s most

prestigious marathons.

Among other commitments,

this alliance has pledged to

safeguard the integrity of

marathon running and has

since invested sustainably

in anti-doping measures.

In cooperation with World

Athletics, the organizers of


THON strengthen the fight

against doping through

complementary testing

procedures and by fully

supporting the Athletics Integrity

Unit (AIU). Their aim

is to protect athletes, pro-

- 11 -

vide preventive education,

and eliminate general suspicion.

Especially at a time

when running has become

a lifestyle and a social expression

of health and movement,

such measures are

indispensable.

Runners have become role

models. Personal bests and

fairness are not mutually

exclusive. Our sport opens

pathways for children and

young people from all social

backgrounds to achieve

self-fulfillment while also

strengthening social cohesion.

This is powerfully illustrated

by the children’s

and youth races within

the BMW BERLIN-MA-

RATHON framework program,

which feature more

than 12,000 participants.

Doping runs counter to this

ideal, and we do everything

in our power to prevent misconduct

and unfair practices

in running.

Yet the BMW BERLIN-MA-

RATHON is far more than a

sporting event. It is also an

economic and cultural driver

for the capital. A study

presented this summer at a

press conference with Governing

Mayor Kai Wegner,

State Secretary for Sport

Franziska Becker, Burkhard

Kieker of visitBerlin, and

SCC EVENTS’ managing

directors Jürgen Lock and

Christian Jost impressively

underlined this point. With

a total economic impact of

€469.4 million – composed

of €142.7 million in direct

effects and €326.7 million

in induced effects – the marathon

generates wide-reaching

economic momentum.

- 12 -

- 13 -

Once again this year,

more than 50,000 runners

will line up at the

start in Berlin, celebrating

together a peaceful

festival of sporting

togetherness.

The social impact of the

BMW BERLIN-MARA-

THON is also significant. 89

percent of Berliners associate

it with attributes such

as “cosmopolitan,” “passionate,”

and “friendly,” while

95 percent of out-of-town

participants say they would

visit Berlin again and actively

recommend the city.

This demonstrates the lasting

appeal of an event that

uniquely unites sport, culture,

and tourism.

Finally, our thanks go to all

those who make this event

possible: helpers, volunteers,

staff, partners, sponsors,

emergency services,

police, and many other institutions,

as well as the

spectators and citizens of

Berlin. Special thanks are

due to the Berlin Senate

and the authorities, whose

trust lays the foundation for

hosting this peaceful and

international sporting event

and for representing Berlin

to the world.

On behalf of SCC EVENTS,

we wish you every success

in your participation and

great enjoyment at the BMW

BERLIN-MARATHON.

Christian Jost & Jürgen Lock

Managing Directors of SCC EVENTS

- 14 -

Anzeige

RUNNING FOR MORE

THAN JUST

PERSONAL BESTS

Generali Combines Movement

and Social Commitment at the

Berlin Marathon

When thousands of runners take to the streets of Berlin

during the Marathon weekend, Generali Deutschland

AG focuses not only on physical activity and athletic

ambition. Since 2017, the company has been a partner

of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON; since last year, it has

also been an official co-sponsor of the BMW BERLIN-

MARATHON, the title sponsor of the GENERALI 5K as part

of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, and the official partner

of the mini-MARATHON presented by GENERALI as part

of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON for schoolchildren.

Through its support of sports and charity tickets, Generali

sends a strong message of social commitment, combining

movement with a mission: to offer new opportunities to

people in difficult life situations. At the heart of this effort is

the Generali Group’s global foundation, The Human Safety

Net (THSN).

We spoke with Patrick Hoffmann, Head of

Public Affairs & Social Responsibility /

Head of the Berlin Office at Generali

Deutschland AG, about “The Human

Safety Net” and the connection between

sports and social responsibility.

To this end, we cooperate with innovative non-profit

organizations and social enterprises. Because we believe

that every person has potential — sometimes all it takes is a

supportive network to help them realize it.”

WHAT ROLE DO CHARITY TICKETS PLAY IN THE

BMW BERLIN-MARATHON?

Patrick Hoffmann: “Charity tickets are a great way to

combine sporting commitment with social impact. Anyone

who decides to purchase such a ticket automatically

donates to ‘The Human Safety Net’. All proceeds go to

our projects, such as family centers where parents receive

support in early childhood education. This means that every

kilometer run is a step toward equal opportunities.”

WHERE EXACTLY DO THE DONATIONS GO?

Patrick Hoffmann: “In Germany, we work with ‚SOS-

Kinderdorf e.V.‘, among others. Donations from the BMW

BERLIN-MARATHON go directly to exercise programs for

children in Berlin. In this way, we promote an active lifestyle

among young children, which we know prevents many

health problems. We also pursue this preventive approach

in our social commitment to disadvantaged families

throughout Germany.“

For more information about

The Human Safety Net in Germany, visit:

The Human Safety Net | Generali

MR. HOFFMANN, WHAT EXACTLY IS “THE HUMAN

SAFETY NET”?

Patrick Hoffmann: “‘The Human Safety Net’ is the Generali

Group‘s global foundation and is active in 26 countries

across Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Our goal is to

promote social inclusion and unlock human potential. We

have two main areas of focus: firstly, we give children from

disadvantaged families a better start in life, and secondly,

we support refugees and migrants in gaining a foothold in

the labor market and building a life for themselves.

Generali Deutschland AG

Adenauerring 7, 81737 München

generali.de

CONTENTS

18

BIG EMOTIONENS

Almost 80,000 at the Start

79,938 people have registered for the various

competitions at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON

2025. This is where memories are made that last a

lifetime. To get you in the mood, here are some of

the most beautiful images to spark excitement.

42

VALUE CREATION

Almost Half a Billion Euros

The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON generates

€469.4 million for the German capital – and is

not only an economic boost, but also a social,

cultural. And a source of inspiration on the road

to the Olympics.

54

ALL DATES, ALL INFORMATION

What You Need to Know

What happens when and where? Where and

when can I pick up my race number? What is the

course route? All the key information at a glance

– including a detailed race schedule, so you’ll be

perfectly prepared.

74

THE TOP RUNNERS

Staying the Fastest

The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON is determined

to keep its status as the fastest marathon in the

world. Stars like Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe and

Rosemary Wanjiru have the talent to deliver

absolute top times.

ALSO

66 – TIPS: These tours along the course give you the best view of the marathon

118 – HISTORY: Memories of great moments 50 and 30 years ago

These topics and many more await you across 258 pages.

All information is up to date as of the editorial deadline on September 4, 2025.

THE CITY

Highlights Beyond the Race

Want to explore Berlin during your marathon

weekend? Discover the best tips to experience

this fascinating city authentically – a place where

everyone can do their own thing. From restaurants

to major shopping experiences.

106

WHO‘S THAT RUNNING?

The Medal Collector

Maria Bendeck from the USA has already finished

all six World Marathon Majors four times – and

is now on her fifth round. And that’s just one of

three amazing stories about runners taking on

the Berlin Marathon this year.

136

WHERE THE MUSIC PLAYS

70 Acts to Coordinate

Music plays a central role at the BMW BERLIN-

MARATHON. For the 51st edition of the race, 70

acts along the course will be organized by a new

team. And for the first time, wearing headphones

is officially allowed.

ALSO

128 – SUSTAINABILITY: What

you can do for the environment

together with the organizers

162 – HIGHLIGHTS: Running

events in Berlin and Brandenburg

you simply have to experience

176 – INLINESKATING: What

the race on wheels brings to Marathon

Saturday

208 – YOUTH: The top roadrunning

talents compete in the

R5K Tour Final

190

LIVE BROADCAST!

On RTL ...

MEDIALE

Crossmedialer Media

durch Sichtbarkeit in

75

... the 51st BMW BERLIN-MARATHON can be

experienced live on September 21 starting

at 8:30 a.m. Commentary will be provided Mio. by

René Hiepen. The broadcast will be hosted by

Laura Papendick, and with former marathon

professionals Sabrina Mockenhaupt and Philipp

Pflieger, two experts are part of the RTL

team reporting from Berlin.

national

Werbeträgerkontakte

Where

emotions

run high

At the 51st BMW BERLIN-MARATHON,

a running and skating festival of superlatives

awaits on September 20 and 21.

Nearly 80,000 participants from 160

nations and millions of spectators along

the streets and in front of screens worldwide

will be part of it. The images on the

following pages will get you excited – no

matter which of the races you’re starting

in during marathon weekend in the capital,

whether you’re watching or cheering.

ALMOST 80,000 AT

THE START: THAT

MANY ARE REGISTERED

Marathon runners 55,146

Runners at the GENERALI 5K 10,500

Students at the mini-MARATHON 10,000

presented by GENERALI

Children at the Bambini Runs 1,900

presented by ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg

Inlineskaters 2,191

Kids Skating approx. 80

Handbikers 72

- Wheelchair 19 - athletes 49

Overall

- 19 -

79,938

A special thanks already

goes to the many costumed

runners. Most of the outfits

are not exactly functional.

But for the fantastic atmosphere

along the course,

some are happy to put in

that extra bit of effort over

the 42.195 kilometers

through Berlin.

- 20 -

Sending a quick thank you up to the

sky for being able to experience this.

In Berlin, that often happens many

kilometers before the finish line.

Simply celebrating running and life

– that’s what the BMW BERLIN-

MARATHON is all about.

When mascot Fridolin Flink is

carried along the entire course,

both the weasel and the runners

are delighted.

- 26 -

- 28 -

Many know this unicorn

from Instagram: Marina,

as marathon.princess,

has over 100,000 followers.

She had a lot of

fun in Berlin in 2024.

- 29 -

A blazing start: it’s the BMW

BERLIN-MARATHON when

you already feel the tingling

goosebumps at the starting

line on the Straße des 17. Juni.

- 30 -

- 31 -

Star from Norway: As a junior, Karoline Grovdal was also among the top

athletes in cross-country skiing. Today, she is one of the most exciting and

promising newcomers on the European marathon scene and will make her

second attempt over 42.195 kilometers at the 51st BMW BERLIN-MARA-

THON. She had bad luck in her debut in April: foot problems forced her to

drop out in Hamburg shortly before the 30-kilometer mark. Now, Grovdal

is making a second attempt in Berlin – with big ambitions. The 35-year-old

has her sights set on the Norwegian record. It is an iconic benchmark: in

1985, Ingrid Kristiansen ran 2:21:06 in London – a world record at the time,

which stood for 13 years and, even after 40 years, remains unbeaten in

Norway. The biggest victory of Karoline Grovdal’s career so far came at the

2024 European Athletics Championships in Rome, where she won the gold

medal in the half marathon.

Fun at Potsdamer Platz: by this point, the

runners have already covered almost 39

kilometers. Anyone who can still celebrate

then is truly in great shape.

Focus on Japan: A year ago, Naoko Takahashi was honored at the

opening ceremony of the 50th anniversary marathon in Berlin. In 2001,

the Japanese runner became the first woman to complete the 42.195

kilometers in under 2:20 hours, clocking 2:19:46 in the German capital.

Now, 24 years later, Honami Maeda comes to Berlin – the athlete who

dethroned Naoko Takahashi as Japan’s record holder. The 29-year-old

sensationally ran 2:18:59 at the women-only marathon in Osaka in

January 2024. With this record-setting run, Honami Maeda qualified

for the Olympic Games in Paris. However, just one day before the race,

she was forced to withdraw due to a stress fracture in her right thigh.

The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON will now mark her first marathon

since then. Japan is also sending a male athlete who could cause a stir:

30-year-old Kengo Suzuki, Japan’s national record holder and a sports

star thanks to the immense popularity of running in his homeland. His

breakthrough came in 2021 at the Otsu Marathon, when he stormed to

a sensational Japanese record. Having never run under 2:10:00 before,

Suzuki suddenly improved to an incredible 2:04:56.

For runners, there’s hardly a better kind of sightseeing than the

BMW BERLIN-MARATHON. The 42.195 kilometers lead directly

past Berlin’s most important landmarks. And at Gendarmenmarkt,

following the completed renovation, the construction fences will

also have been cleared away by September 21, 2025.

The MARATHON EXPO at Messe Berlin is not only the best opportunity

to celebrate the anticipation with your race number – this

year it is also the place to put good intentions on sustainability into

writing in a way that increases the likelihood of actually following

through. At the booth of BMW BERLIN-MARATHON partner EY in

Hall 3.1, participants can formulate their commitments as part of

the Sustainability Pledge initiative – and everyone who does so has

the chance to win a starting place for the BMW BERLIN-MARA-

THON 2026. The booth also offers exciting information on sustainability

at all SCC EVENTS races.

A

driving

force

for the

entire

city

The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON brings

almost half a billion euros to the capital.

But the event is not only economically

significant; it is also a central driver for

the city socially and culturally. In this

way, it could serve as an encouraging

example for Berlin’s planned Olympic

bid. Here you can find all the figures

and learn how they were determined.

469.4 Million Euro

Value creation

ALL

STUDY

DETAILS

The BMW BERLIN-MA-

RATHON is not only the

largest and most important

running event in Germany

from a sporting perspective.

With more than 74,000 participants

in its most recent

edition (across all competitions),

the event is also an

economic driver for Berlin:

the total economic impact of

the event amounts to €469.4

million. This figure comprises

the money spent in the

city by participants and their

companions around the marathon,

as well as the economic

output generated by

the organizer, SCC EVENTS,

in Berlin. These numbers

were determined through a

comprehensive study on the

economic and image-enhancing

impact of the BMW

BERLIN-MARATHON 2024.

Almost ten times

that of the cup final

The study was conducted by

Nielsen Sports on behalf of

the organizer SCC EVENTS.

The calculation was based

on accompanying persons,

not on the total, difficult-tomeasure

number of spectators

along the course. For

comparison: the approximately

74,000 visitors of the

DFB Cup Final generate a

value added of 50.6 million

euros for the city of Berlin.

The study confirms that


- 44 -

THON is a central driver for

the city of Berlin far beyond

its exceptionally high sporting

relevance in Germany—

economically, socially, and

culturally. The gigantic number

of 74,000 athletes at the

BMW BERLIN-MARATHON

EVENT

2024 is also reflected in travel

traffic: the Friday before

- 45 -

THE PEOPLE

74,082

74.082

participated as athletes

in the competitions

at the BMW BERLIN-

MARATHON

Teilnehmende

Sportlerinnen und Sportle

82 200.021

EVALUATION

the marathon 6 was the bus-

200,021

BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2024

iest day at Berlin Brandenburg

Airport (BER) last year.

accompanied

the participants

Begleitende

nd Sportler der Teilnehmenden

Encouragement for

Berlin’s Olympic Dream

Berlin’s Governing Mayor

Kai Wegner also interprets

the study as encouragement

200.021

for the city’s planned Olympic

bid: “The BMW BER-

LIN-MARATHON is a strong

Begleitende

r example

51.603

der Teilnehmenden

of what Berlin can

do: host major international

events supported by civic

engagement and professio-

erinnen und Zuschauer

Besuchende der EXPO)

1,251,603

attended as spectators

(including visitors to the EXPO)

6,000

6.000

Volunteers play a huge role

in the success of the BMW

BERLIN-MARATHON

Volunteers

€469,355,323 – that’s the economic impact of the BMW BERLIN-MA-

RATHON. Jürgen Lock, CEO of SCC EVENTS; Kai Wegner, Governing Mayor

of Berlin; Franziska Becker, State Secretary for Sports in the Berlin

Senate Department for the Interior and Sports; and Burkhard Kieker,

CEO of visitBerlin, presented this figure during the launch of the study

conducted by Nielsen Sports.

nal organization. What SCC

EVENTS has built over more

than five decades is impressive—and

it is the result of

thousands of people contributing

on and off the course.

The marathon is a significant

economic factor for our city,

it strengthens social cohesion,

and it increases Berlin’s

- 46 -

international visibility. The

results of the current study

demonstrate this impressively—and

they show: Berlin

is ready for bigger challenges.”

Passionate and likable

In addition to the economic

benefits, the event’s image

impact was also examined.

The result: 89 percent

of Berlin residents aged 16

to 69 are familiar with the

BMW BERLIN-MARATHON

and associate it with attributes

such as “cosmopolitan,”

“passionate,” and “likable.”

Ninety-five percent

of visiting participants and

their companions would return

to Berlin and actively

recommend the city—a clear

indicator of the sustainable

tourist appeal of Germany’s

largest running event.

8

8

THE IMAGE

IMAGEWIRKUNG

IMAGEWIRKUNG

IMAGEWIRKUNG

8

89%

89%

of aller Berliners Berlinerinnen aged 16 und to 69

Berliner

im Alter zwischen 16 und 69

know the event.

Jahren aller Berlinerinnen kennen das Event. und Berliner


Jahren kennen das Event.

Das Event wird insbesondere

als „weltoffen“,

„leidenschaftlich“ und


The „sympathisch“ event perceived empfunden.

als „weltoffen“,

as

“open-minded,” „leidenschaftlich“ “passionate,”

and als

und

„sympathisch“ “likeable.” „weltoffen“,

empfunden.

95%

95%

der Teilnehmenden und deren

Begleitung, die nicht aus Berlin

kommen, würden die Stadt

wieder Teilnehmenden besuchen und und geben deren

eine

of Empfehlung Begleitung,

participants

95%

zum die

and

nicht Besuch their

aus der Berlin

companions Stadt kommen, ab. würden from outside die Stadt

Berlin wieder would besuchen visit the und city geben eine

again Empfehlung and recommend zum Besuch it der

to Stadt others. ab.

EVALUATION


EVALUATION


THE

EVALUATION

VIDEO

ABOUT

THE

STUDY

89%

aller Berlinerinnen und Berliner


Jahren kennen das Event.


„leidenschaftlich“ und

„sympathisch“ empfunden.

der Teilnehmenden und deren

Begleitung, die nicht aus Berlin

kommen, würden die Stadt

wieder besuchen und geben ein

Empfehlung zum Besuch der

Stadt ab.


- 47 -

Much more valuable

than what can be

measured in money

The event scores not only

economically but also in

terms of sustainability: the

marathon is almost entirely

powered by electricity from

renewable energy sources.

Additionally, around 6,000

volunteers participate each

year, and over six million

euros in donations are generated

for charitable and

environmental projects.

Franziska Becker, State Secretary

for Sport, says: “The

BMW BERLIN-MARATHON

represents more than just

high economic value. It provides

benefits to Berliners

on many levels. These range

from strong volunteer

engagement that promotes

VIELFAL

THE DONATIONS

over €6 million ...

... were raised at the BMW BERLIN-

MARATHON 2024 for charitable

and environmental projects.

62 Rollstu

81 Handb

28 Teilneh

60 Teilneh

über

+

THE CALCULATION

Direct value creation

€142.7 million

Of this, €12.1 million is generated by

the organizer (mainly from entry fees,

sponsorships, and booth bookings at

the EXPO). In addition, €130.6 million

is spent in Berlin by participants and

their companions on accommodation,

food and drinks, sightseeing, transport,

and other expenses.

Indirect economic impact

€326.7 million

Economic impact generated by increased

purchasing power within the region

from the direct economic effects of the

BMW BERLIN-MARATHON

=

Total economic impact

€469.4 million

The total economic impact is the sum of

direct and induced value creation, generated

by participants, their companions, and

the organizer.

Added to this is the estimated advertising

value of media coverage of the

BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, amounting

to €2.75 million.

The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON is

always sightseeing at its finest on

the run. But participants and their

companions also spend a lot of

money in the city before and after

the race to experience its tourist

highlights.

social cohesion, to inclusion,

sustainability initiatives, and

an increased global profile

for Berlin. The study makes

these benefits more tangible.

It underscores that our

city competes internationally

at the highest level in

- 50 -

ing, Mio. Standbuchungen Euro durch Teilnehmende. auf der EXPO),

,3 Mio. Euro durch Begleitende und

,2 Mio. Euro durch Teilnehmende.

R WERT

nomischen Impact.

80,86

Mio. Euro

80,86

Mio. Euro

€80.86

MONEY FOR BERLIN

sports and shows that Berlin

is ready for the Olympics.”

Wertschöpfung HOTELLE

472

ertschöpfung

472

Gesamte wirtschaftliche Wertschöpfung

million

Davon Wertschöpfung 53,6 Mio. HOTELLE Euro d

RT

Flagship and driving

Mio. schnittliche Aufenthaltsda

io. force Eurofor Berlin 469,4 Mio. Euro

economic impact from

200 Davon Euro 53,6 pro Übernachtun

Mio. Euro

“The Mio. Euro BMW BERLIN-MAovernight

stays in hotels schnittliche Aufenthaltsda

durch

g

Gesamte wirtschaftliche Wertschöpfung

RATHON erhöhte Kaufkraft is an international Summe aus direkter und induzierter 200 Wertschöpfung,

Euro pro Übernachtu

egion aus direktem ökoct.

generiert durch Begleitende, Teilnehmende sowie

flagship for Berlin,

Veranstalter.

showcasing

both

gesamte wirtschaftliche Wert des 469,4

elite and

Mio.

mass-Eurparticipation

des wirtschaftliche medialen Summe Einflusses sports, Wert aus direkter des für lived und induzierter Wertschöpfung, 16,81

BERLIN-MARATHON 2024, einießlich

Kaufkraft gesamte

€16.81

16,81

Mio. Euro

W tem portmetropole BERLIN-MARATHON öko- Berlin. generiert 2024, durch ein-Begleitendeließlich des medialen Veranstalter. Einflusses für

Teilnehmende

million

sustainability, and social

GASTRONOMIE

sowie

Mio. Euro

engagement,” says Jürgen economic impact in the gastronomy

Sportmetropole Berlin.

direkte Wertschöpfung für

of the sports metropolis GASTRONOMIE

Sportmetropole Berlin

EVALUATION Lock, CEO of SCC EVENTS.

Berlin.

80,86

BMW “We BERLIN-MARATHON are pleased 2024that this

direkte Wertschöpfung fü

Mio. EVALUATION Euro

Sportmetropole Berlin.

study once again provides


€11.87

11,87

Wertschöpfung solid evidence HOTELLERIE of the added

Mio. Euro

6

value for the city of Berlin as

Davon 53,6 Mio. Euro durch Begleitende. Durchschnittliche

well as Aufenthaltsdauer for society. von It fast shows drei Nächten à SHOPPING

million Wertschöpfung durch

200 Euro that pro the Übernachtung BMW BERLIN-MA-

im Durchschnitt. value creation through

11,87

& SIGHTSEEING

g HOTELLERIE

shopping and sightseeing

RATHON is not an end in itself;

durch it is a Begleitende. driving force Durch-

for all Wertschöpfung durch

Mio. Euro

Mio. Euro

ufenthaltsdauer 16,81 of Berlin von and fast far drei beyond.” Nächten à SHOPPING

Übernachtung im Durchschnitt.

& SIGHTSEEING 3,6

Mio. Burkhard Euro Kieker, CEO of €3.6

Mio. Euro

visitBerlin, adds: “The Berlin

Marathon is like a vita-

million

GASTRONOMIE

direkte Wertschöpfung für die

value Wertschöpfung creation through durch the TRANSPORT

Sportmetropole

min boost

Berlin.

for the capital’s transport in Berlin of people and goods in Berlin

1

IE

chöpfung für die

ole Berlin.

3,6

Mio. Euro

Wertschöpfung durch TRANSPORT

in Berlin

It’s not only the more than 74,000 participants who bring money into the

German capital, but also the more than 200,000 accompanying persons.

71 percent traveled to Berlin from outside the city, and for 94 percent of

them, the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON was the main reason for their trip.

sports, culture, and tourism.

It is the best advertisement

for the Olympics,

because SCC EVENTS

and the atmosphere at

the BMW BERLIN-MA-

RATHON prove one thing:

they’ve got what it takes!”

- 52 -

What’s happening

in Marathon Week

36. LITERATURE MARATHON

Sunday, September 14

5 PM

Berlin author Joanna Zybon, Florian Jäger

(Freiburg/Berlin), and Peter Tauber from

Gelnhausen read from their new and

freshly printed running books. The themes

include ‘the sparkle of sweat drops’

(Zybon), ‘the poetic wildness of running’

(Jäger), and the simple yet compelling

message: Just run! (Tauber). Admission is

free.

Kunstfabrik Schlot

Mitte | Invalidenstraße 117

(Edison-Höfe)

- 54 -

HALL OF FAME

Wednesday, September 17 12 to 7 PM

Thursday, September 18 12 to 7 PM

Friday, September 19 1 to 5:45 PM | 7:30 to 9 PM

Saturday, September 20 10 AM to 7 PM

Sunday, September 21 8 AM to 5 PM

MARATHON EXPO

Sports Community Convention

Thursday, September 18 3 to 8 PM

Friday, September 19

Saturday, September 20

10 AM to 8 PM

9 AM to 7 PM

In the Hall of Fame you can get up close

with the legends of the BMW BERLIN-

MARATHON. All participants will find

their names on the Wall of Fame. And

they can shop the cool event collection

from adidas.

Brandenburg Gate

Tiergarten | Platz des 18. März

Over 170 exhibitors from Germany and

abroad present the latest trends. Plus,

medical advice is available from the SCC

EVENTS Medical Team. In the Berlin exhibition

halls and on the outdoor grounds,

there’s much more going on than just race

packet pickup.

Messe Berlin

South Entrance | Jafféstraße

S-Bahn station Messe Süd

MEET THE LEGENDS

Friday, September 19

6:30 PM

Here you can get up close to the top

athletes as the big stars of the BMW

BERLIN-MARATHON are presented,

just a few meters from the Brandenburg

Gate.

Brandenburg Gate

Tiergarten | Platz des 18. März

- 55 -

WHAT’S HAPPENING ON SATURDAY

GENERALI 5K

Taste the Marathon Spirit

Saturday, September 20 Start: 10 AM

R5K TOUR FINALE


Start: 11:50 AM

“On the day before the legendary BMW

BERLIN-MARATHON, there’s a unique

opportunity to run the last five kilometers

of the original course. The thrilling finish

through the Brandenburg Gate, the cheering

along the final stretch, and the highly

attractive finisher medal just beyond the

finish line – all of it is just as unforgettable

as in the big BMW BERLIN-MARATHON

the following day.

Start: Potsdamer Platz

Finish: Straße des 17. Juni

near Brandenburg Gate

With the R5K series, Germany is searching

for the next generation of fast

runners over five kilometers on the road.

And where else could the finale of this

series of four five-kilometer races take

place than at the BMW BERLIN-MA-

RATHON? On Saturday morning, the

under-23 runners who qualified in the

races in Dresden, Hanover, Paderborn,

and Hamburg will compete over the final

five kilometers of the marathon course.

Once they pass through the Brandenburg

Gate, the overall winners in the U20 and

U23 categories will be decided.




- 56 -

MINI-MARATHON

presented by GENERALI

Saturday, September 20 Start: 12 PM

Germany’s largest student run – around

10,000 schoolchildren from Berlin and

Brandenburg cover the last 4.295 km of

the original marathon course, running

through the Brandenburg Gate to the

finish. Results are scored in teams of ten,

with the total distance adding up to the

full marathon. At the finish line, stylish

medals and certificates await as a reward.




- 57 -

WHAT’S HAPPENING ON SATURDAY

MARATHON INLINESKATING


Start: 12:20 PM

BAMBINILAUF

presented by

ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg

Saturday, September 20 starting at 10:30 AM

Not far from Messe Berlin, where the

MARATHON EXPO takes place, the little

ones get their big moment to shine. At the

traditional Mommsen Stadium, they run

distances ranging from 200 to 800 meters.

Start times and distances

10:30 AM: Children up to 2 years

200 meters (100 m track with turnaround)

from 10:45 AM: Children aged 3–4 years

400 meters (1 lap)

from 11:30 AM: Children aged 5–6 years

400 meters (1 lap)

from 12:00 PM: Children aged 7–8 years

800 meters (2 laps)

from 12:30 PM: Children aged 9–10 years

800 meters (2 laps)

Mommsen Stadium

Westend | Waldschulallee

The speed at which the best race through

the streets is fascinating: the fastest are

expected to finish just behind the Brandenburg

Gate in under 60 minutes. Before

that, the circuit, which is completed five

times, leads over Ernst-Reuter-Platz to

Charlottenburg Palace and back to the

Victory Column. For the grand finale,

the inline skaters roll through Potsdamer

Platz, Gendarmenmarkt, and finally

through the Brandenburg Gate to the

finish.

Straße des 17. Juni

Start: Tiergarten | near the kleiner Stern

Finish: near Brandenburg Gate

- 58 -

ECUMENICAL PRAYER


4 PM

MARATHON PARTY SKATING

with presentation of the winners

Saturday, September 20 starting at 9 PM

On the day before the race, all participants

can come together at the Ecumenical

Marathon Prayer to affirm peace,

diversity, and unity. The setting could

hardly be more historic: the Kaiser Wilhelm

Memorial Church is one of Berlin’s

most famous landmarks. Heavily damaged

in World War II in 1943, it stands as

a ‘memorial against war.’

Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church

Charlottenburg | Breitscheidplatz

Anyone still full of energy can celebrate

together with the champions of the BMW

BERLIN-MARATHON. Dancing into the

night is on the agenda. The grand awards

ceremony at 11:00 PM will be the highlight

of the evening.

Kosmos

Friedrichshain | Karl-Marx-Allee 131a

- 59 -

WHAT’S HAPPENING ON SUNDAY

51ST BMW BERLIN-MARATHON

Sunday, Sept. 21Start in waves starting at 8:50 AM

On Sunday morning, the 51st BMW BER-

LIN-MARATHON kicks off. Participants

set out in four waves. By the time the last

runners cross the start line, the elite athletes

are already nearly back at the finish on

Straße des 17. Juni, near the Soviet War

Memorial. The first runners are expected

at the finish just behind the Brandenburg

Gate around 11:15.

Start Times

Handcyclists (elite)

8:50 AM

Wheelchair athletes (elite) 8:56 AM

Wheelchair athletes/Handcyclists 8:59 AM

Runners (1st wave) 9:15 AM

Runners (2nd wave) 9:45 AM

Runners (3rd wave) 10:05 AM

Runners (4th wave) 10:40 AM

Inclusion Run (Gendarmenmarkt) 3:20 PM


Start: Tiergarten | near the kleiner Stern

Finish: near Brandenburger Tor

- 60 -

MARATHON PARTY RUNNING

with presentation of the winners

Sunday, September 21 starting at 8 PM

As long as the euphoria of having conquered

the classic distance lasts, the high

continues. The highlight of the roaring

party is the presentation of the winners.

Kosmos

Friedrichshain | Karl-Marx-Allee 131a

- 61 -

DER BMW STRECKENPLAN BERLIN-MARATHON

Streckenplan Läufer:innen | Course Runners

Course Map 2025

TO THE

INTER-

ACTIVE

COURSE

MAP

3

Franklinstraße

4

Alt-Moabit

Turmstraße

Tiergarten

5

Moabit

JVA Moabit

6

Bundeskanzleramt

Siegessäule

Kantstraße

Kaiserdamm

Ernst-

Reuter-

Platz

Charlottenburg


2

Zoologischer

Garten

Kaiser Wilhelm Gedächtnis-Kirche

1

Altonaer Straße

Großer

Stern

Hofjägerallee

38

Olivaer

Platz

33

34

Kurfürstendamm

Tauentzienstr.

35

Wittenberg

Platz

36

Nollendorfplatz

Bülowstraße

Potsdamer Straße

37

Hohenzollerndamm

31

32

Russ.-Orth. Kirche

Hohenzollerndamm

Fehrbelliner

Platz

Uhlandstraße

Bundesallee

Rathaus Schöneberg

23

Eisenacher

Straße

Kleistpark

Hauptstraße

22

21

Goeb

Schöneb

Martin-Luther-Str.

30

Kreuzkirche

Wilmersdorf

24

Innsbrucker

Platz

Roseneck

Platz

29

Platz am Wilden Eber

Bundesallee

Hauptstraße

28

27

Breitenbachplatz

Südwestkorso

26

Steglitz

Rheinstraße

25

- 62 -

FINISH

7

42

41

Konzerthaus am Gendarmenmarkt

Potsdamer

Platz

Reinhardtstraße

Reichstag

8

Brandenburger Tor

39

Torstraße

Unter den Linden

Leipziger Straße

Rosenthaler Platz

9

10

Berliner Dom

11

Fernsehturm

40

13

Lindenstraße

Mitte

Moritzplatz

Alexanderplatz

14

Heinrich-Heine-Str.

Mollstraße

Friedrichshain

Karl-Marx-Allee

Strausberger Platz

12

Lichtenberger Straße

Stresemannstraße

15

Kottbusser Tor

Gitschiner Straße

Kottbusser Damm

enstraße

20

Mehringdamm

19

Kreuzberg

Gneisenaustraße

Südstern

16

Neukölln

erg

Platz der Luftbrücke

18

17

Urbanstr.

Hasenheide

Hermannplatz

Strecke Läufer:innen

Course Runners

Wasser

Water

FINISH

Start

Ziel

Finish

Verpflegung: Getränke, Obst

Refreshment: Beverages, Fruits

Chiquita Bananas

Maurten Drink Mix 160

Maurten Gel Depot

- 63 -

KILOMETRES

LEADING

HANDBIKERS

LEADING

LEADING

RUNNERS

WHEELCHAIR COMPETITORS

LAST RUNNERS

LOCATION

PASSING TIMES

START 08:50 08:56 09:15 10:46 Straße des 17. Juni (Kleiner Stern)

1 08:51 08:57 09:17 10:55 Straße des 17. Juni (after Siegessäule)

2 08:52 08:59 09:20 11:04 Straße des 17. Juni (before Charlottenburger Brücke)

3 08:54 09:01 09:23 11:13 Marchstraße (before Einsteinufer)

4 08:55 09:03 09:26 11:23 Alt-Moabit (before Zinzendorfstraße)

5 08:57 09:05 09:29 11:32 Alt-Moabit 96 (McFit)

6 08:58 09:07 09:32 11:41 Alt-Moabit 130 (after Invalidenstraße)

7 08:59 09:09 09:35 11:50 Konrad-Adenauer-Straße (after Otto v. Bismarck Allee)

8 09:01 09:10 09:38 12:00 Friedrichstraße 130 C (after Reinhardtstraße)

9 09:02 09:12 09:41 12:09 Torstraße 158/160 (before Ackerstraße)

10 09:04 09:14 09:44 12:18 Torstraße 46 (after Rosa-Luxemburg-Straße)

11 09:05 09:16 09:46 12:27 Otto-Braun-Straße (before Alexanderplatz)

12 09:07 09:18 09:49 12:37 Strausberger Platz (after Lichtenberger Str.)

13 09:08 09:20 09:52 12:46 Michaelkirchstraße (before Köpenicker Str.)

14 09:09 09:22 09:55 12:55 Heinrich-Heine-Str. 70 (after Einfahrt Parkplatz Lidl)

15 09:11 09:24 09:58 13:04 Reichenberger Straße/Erkelenzdamm (after Erkelenzdamm)

16 09:12 09:25 10:01 13:14 Kottbusser Damm 13 (after Böckhstraße/U-Bhf. Schönleinstraße)

17 09:14 09:27 10:04 13:23 Hasenheide 16/14 (after Conrad)

18 09:15 09:29 10:07 13:32 Südstern (Kirche vor Südstern)

19 09:16 09:31 10:10 13:41 Gneisenaustraße 98 (after Solmsstraße)

20 09:18 09:33 10:13 13:51 Yorckstraße 24 (before Katzbachstraße)

21 09:19 09:35 10:15 14:00 Goebenstraße 20/21 (before Kirchbachstraße)

HM 09:19 09:35 10:15 14:01 Goebenstraße 24/25 (before Steinmetzstraße)

22 09:21 09:37 10:18 14:09 Grunewaldstraße 11 (before Gleditschstraße)

23 09:22 09:38 10:21 14:18 Martin-Luther-Straße 88 (after Wartburgstraße)

24 09:24 09:40 10:24 14:28 Hauptstraße (under S-Bahn)

25 09:25 09:42 10:27 14:37 Rheinstraße 8 (after Schmargendorfer Straße)

26 09:26 09:44 10:30 14:46 Wiesbadener Straße 12/13 (before Rheingaustraße)

27 09:28 09:46 10:33 14:55 Breitenbachplatz (before Dillenburger Straße/Haltestelle BVG)

28 09:29 09:48 10:36 15:05 Lentzeallee 44 (before Hellriegelstraße links)

29 09:31 09:50 10:39 15:14 Rheinbabenallee 20 (after Heydenstraße)

30 09:32 09:52 10:42 15:23 Hohenzollerndamm 124 (before Auguste-Viktoria-Straße)

31 09:33 09:53 10:45 15:32 Hohenzollerndamm 152 (before Fritz-Wildung Straße)

32 09:35 09:55 10:47 15:42 Hohenzollerndamm Gegenfahrbahn (after Ruhrstraße)

33 09:36 09:57 10:50 15:51 Konstanzer Straße 59 (after Düsseldorfer Straße)

34 09:38 09:59 10:53 16:00 Kurfürstendamm 204 (after Knesebeckstraße)

35 09:39 10:01 10:56 16:09 Tauentzienstraße 13 A (after Rankestraße)

36 09:41 10:03 10:59 16:19 Kleiststraße 3-6 (after Courbierestraße)

37 09:42 10:05 11:02 16:28 Potsdamer Straße 113 (before Kurfürstenstraße)

38 09:43 10:06 11:05 16:37 Potsdamer Straße 35 (gegenüber Sigismundstraße)

39 09:45 10:08 11:08 16:46 Leipziger Straße 5 (after Bundesrat)

40 09:46 10:10 11:11 16:56 Jerusalemer Straße (after Leipziger Straße)

41 09:48 10:12 11:14 17:05 Französische Straße 14 (before Glinkastraße)

42 09:49 10:14 11:16 17:14 Straße des 17. Juni (after Brandenburger Tor)

ZIEL 09:50 10:16 11:17 17:16 Straße des 17. Juni (Sowjetisches Ehrenmal)

- 65 -

Where the

action is

- 66 -

The atmosphere is fantastic in all the districts

the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON passes through.

But there are certain spots along the route where

there’s even more going on. A guide.

Berlin offers one of the

most attractive marathon

routes worldwide. This

is true in two respects: first,

the course in the German

capital is very flat, making

it perfectly suited for setting

personal bests. Second,

it is exceptionally appealing

from a tourist perspective.

The 42.195-kilometer loop

through the capital is the

longest fan mile in the world

— ideal for experiencing the

full marathon fascination

at several points along the

way. The districts and neighborhoods

along the route

are all different, each with its

own special charm. This diversity

of Berlin is also part

of what makes this running

classic so captivating. Here

you’ll find ‘neighborhood

tours’ specially designed for

the spectators of the BMW

BERLIN-MARATHON. With

them, you can optimally

support your runners all the

way to the finish line and easily

move from one hotspot

to the next along the course.

- 67 -

ON

n/Course Runners

6

3

urg

34

City

ieztour West

Rosenthaler Platz

Moabit

9

10

Turmstraße

4

2

lm Gedächtnis-Kirche

damm

Uhlandstraße

TIERGARTEN – WILMERSDORF

Franklinstraße

Tiergarten

25

35

24

1

5

36

JVA Moabit

Siegessäule

6

Bundeskanzleramt

Eisenacher

23 Straße

Bülowstraße/Potsdamer Rathaus Schöneberg Straße | take the U2 to

ersdorf

litz


Zoologischer

Garten

Kurfürstendamm

Alt-Moabit

Altonaer Straße

Großer

Stern

Hofjägerallee

37

21

38

FINISH

7

41

Konzerthaus am Gendarmenmarkt

Goebenstraße

Bundesallee

Bundesallee

Rheinstraße

Tauentzienstr.

Hauptstraße

Wittenberg

Platz

Martin-Luther-Str.

Innsbrucker

Platz

Nollendorfplatz

Hauptstraße

Bülowstraße

Potsdamer Straße

- 68 -

42

Potsdamer

Platz

Kleistpark

Watch the start | walk via Großer Stern to Hansaplatz

underground station | 22 take the U9 to Zoologischer

Garten | walk to Kurfürstendamm | take the

U2 from Uhlandstraße to Nollendorfplatz

Schöneberg

| walk to

Potsdamer Platz | walk to the finish line.

At km 34: Kurfürstendamm

Reinhardtstraße

Reichstag

20

39

8

Brandenburger Tor

Stresemannstraße

Platz der Luftbrücke

On the famous Kurfürstendamm boulevard in

City West, hotspots and bands attract large

crowds of spectators.

Torstraße

Unter den Linden

Leipziger Straße

Mehringdamm

19

Lindenstraße

Mitte

Berliner Dom

At km 0.6:

40

Victory Column

The 70-meter-high

Victory Column has

a viewing platform

and is circled on

both sides.

FINISH

Gitschiner Straße

Moritzplatz

Kreuzberg

Gneisenaustraße

Start

Ziel

Finish

18

At km 35:

Kaiser Wilhelm

Memorial Church

Alexanderplatz

Fernsehturm

14

Heinrich-Heine-Str.

15

Südstern

Destroyed in World

War II, the church built

Strecke Läufer:innen

in 1895 Course has Runners remained

standing as a memorial.

11

F

Mollstraß

K

Kottbu

Kottbusse

17

Hasenheide

Posh People.

Fast Athletes!

Kieztour

TIERGARTEN – MITTE

At km 40:

Gendarmenmarkt

The Gendarmenmarkt

is one of

the most beautiful

squares in Berlin. It is

framed by three monumental

buildings:

the German Cathedral,

the French

Cathedral, and the

Concert Hall.

Watch the starts up to Wave 2 (9:40 AM) | walk to Potsdamer

Platz | cheer on the handbikers, wheelchair athletes

(9:50 AM) and top athletes (11:00 AM) | walk to the finish

line (top men from 11:17 AM, women from 11:30 AM) | stroll

along Unter den Linden to Gendarmenmarkt | enjoy a latte or

a glass of sparkling wine while applauding the runners.

At km 41: Unter den Linden

Berlin’s grand boulevard.

- 69 -

ieztour

TIERGARTEN – WILMERSDORF – SCHÖNEBERG –

KREUZBERG – FRIEDRICHSHAIN – MITTE

Watch the start | walk to the Swiss

Embassy (km 6.9) | go to the main train

station (S-Bahn) and ride to Alexanderplatz

| walk to Karl-Marx-Allee (km 11) |

U8 Moritzplatz (km 14) | U7/8 Gneisenaustraße

(km 19) | U7 Eisenacher Straße

(km 22) | U7/3 Breitenbachplatz (km

27) | U3 Fehrbelliner Platz (km 32) | U3

Wittenbergplatz (km 36) | U2 Potsdamer

Platz (km 38.5) | walk to the Finish Line

Village.

Neighborhood

Stroller

At km 23: Schöneberg City Hall

The former seat of the West Berlin

Senate at John F. Kennedy Square.

It was here that John F. Kennedy

spoke the famous words: ‘Ich bin

ein Berliner.’

At km 28: Wilder Eber

The square at Wilder Eber is traditionally

a hotspot of atmosphere in

Berlin’s upscale west, where spectators,

cheerleaders, and a samba

band create an electrifying mood.

Long Nights in

Kreuzberg

Kieztour

KREUZBERG – SCHÖNEBRG – MITTE

At km 42:

Brandenburg

Gate

The Brandenburg

Gate is Berlin’s most

famous and most

emotional landmark.

The Wall once stood

here at this former

junction between

East and West. Until

the opening of the

borders in 1989, it

was impassable.

Begin at Kottbusser Tor (U1) around km 15, where the

top runners are expected at 10:00 AM | continue to

Kurfürstenstraße (U1) | walk 100 m to the hotspot at

Bülowstraße/Potsdamer Straße (km 37) | take the U2 to

Potsdamer Platz (km 38.5) | then walk to the finish line.

At km 38.5: Potsdamer Platz

In the pre-war years, Potsdamer Platz was Berlin’s central square and

was completely destroyed during World War II.

Short &

Painless

ieztour

TIERGARTEN – MITTE – KREUZBERG

TIERGARTEN – MITTE – KREUZBERG

Watch the starts up to the 2nd wave of runners

(9:40 AM) | walk to the Swiss Embassy (km 6.9) |

take the train from the main station to Yorkstraße

S-Bahn station | walk under the York Bridges to the

half-marathon point | go to the hotspot at the corner

of Bülowstraße/Potsdamer Straße (km 37) | travel to

Potsdamer Platz | walk to the Brandenburg Gate and

into the finish area.

IMPRINT

Event Magazine

BMW BERLIN-MARATHON

Publisher

SCC EVENTS GmbH

Responsible for Content

Christian Jost, Jürgen Lock

Production

DLM RunMedia GmbH, Köln

Editorial Team

Gerte Buchheit, Vincent Dornbusch,

Christian Ermert, Jörg

Wenig, Anja Herrlitz

Photos

SCC EVENTS, Vincent

Dornbusch, camera4,

sportografen, Petko

Beier, Ralf Günter, Andreas

Schwarz, Sebastian Wells,

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Deutsches Technikmuseum/

Hattendorf, Shokz,

Landesmusikrat Berlin

imago images

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Press (2), Kyodo News (2),

AAP (2), NTB, Markus

Tischler, Anadolu, Funke,

Depositphotos, David

Mareuil, USA Today Network,

Imagn, Julian Zhu, Kosecki,

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Adobe Stock

Christopher Becke (2),

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Hanohiki, Camera s/n, Laiotz,

Moofushi

THE ELITE RACES

Keep

the

lead

For the fastest marathon in the world, 2025

will also be about maintaining this status. To

achieve this, the current fastest runner in the

world and the defending champion have been

signed: At the 51st BMW BERLIN-MARA-

THON, Sabastian Sawe from Kenya will face

Milkesa Mengesha from Ethiopia. Among the

women, Kenya’s Rosemary Wanjiru is considered

a slight favorite. She will face strong competition

from Ethiopia.

Texts: Jörg Wenig

How the men’s

race might

play out

The fastest marathon in

the world aims to defend

its position and will

once again feature an exceptionally

strong field at

the start. Sabastian Sawe

is Kenya’s latest shooting

star, and Ethiopia’s Milkesa

Mengesha was the surpri-

se winner in Berlin in 2024.

For a long time, it looked as

if neither of them would be

the fastest athlete on the

starting list, as Ethiopia‘s

running legend Kenenisa

Bekele wanted to return to

the BMW BERLIN MARA-

THON one more time, but

TOP RUNNERS

AND THEIR

PERSONAL BESTS

he canceled a good two

weeks before the start.

Berlin has been

number 1 for 20 years

When it comes to the men’s

race, the BMW BERLIN-

MARATHON remains the

fastest marathon in the

Sabastian Sawe KEN 2:02:05

Milkesa Mengesha ETH 2:03:17

Gabriel Geay TAN 2:03:00

Haymanot Alew ETH 2:03:31

Guye Adola ETH 2:03:46

Leul Gebresilase ETH 2:04:02

Daniel Mateiko KEN 2:04:24

Haftu Teklu ETH 2:04:42

Chimdessa Debele ETH 2:04:44

Kengo Suzuki JPN 2:04:56

Chala Regasa ETH 2:05:06

Samwel Mailu KEN 2:05:08

Yihunilign Adane ETH 2:05:37

Tariku Novales ESP 2:05:48

Kyohei Hosoya JPN 2:05:58

Gebru Redahgne ETH 2:05:58

Hendrik Pfeiffer GER 2:07:14

Sebastian Hendel GER 2:07:33

Haftom Welday GER 2:08:24

Johannes Motschmann GER 2:10:39

Erik Hille GER 2:13:03

MEN‘S

MARATHON

RECORDS

WORLD RECORD

2:00:35

KELVIN KIPTUM (Kenia)

Chicago (2023)

EUROPEAN RECORD

2:03:36

BASHIR ABDI (Belgium)

Rotterdam (2021)

GERMAN RECORD

2:04:56

SAMUEL FITWI (Silvesterlauf Trier)

Valencia (2024)

COURSE RECORD

2:01:09

ELIUD KIPCHOGE (Kenia)

Berlin (2022)

WORLD BEST TIME OF THE YEAR

2:02:27

SABASTIAN SAWE (Kenia)

London (April 27, 2025)

GERMAN BEST TIME OF THE YEAR

2:06:29

SAMUEL FITWI (Silvesterlauf Trier)

Hanover (April 6, 2025)

world. To determine this

ranking, the average of the

ten fastest times ever run in

a single race is calculated.

Currently, the BMW BER-

LIN-MARATHON has an

average of 2:02:33.8 hours.

Since 2006—almost 20 years—Berlin

has led this list.

There is much to suggest

that this position can once

again be defended.

Marathon newcomer Sabastian

Sawe won his first

two races over the classic

42.195 km distance in impressive

fashion, clocking

absolute world-class times.

The 30-year-old Kenyan

made his debut last December

in Valencia, where

he ran 2:02:05, immediately

becoming the fifth-fastest

marathoner of all time.

This spring, Sawe also won

the prestigious London Marathon,

once again topping

GERMAN TOP

ATHLETES IN BERLIN

Sebastian Hendel

Hardly anyone had Sebastian

Hendel on their radar. Yet at the

50th BMW BERLIN-MARATHON

he was the fastest German runner.

While his competitors pushed

too hard in the chase for

personal bests, Sebastian Hendel

ran a clever race, holding back at

first and then overtaking one after

another. In the end, he achieved

a strong personal best of 2:07:33,

making him the fifth-fastest German

marathoner of all time. Since

the beginning of this year, Sebastian

Hendel has been competing

for the Marathon Team Berlin of

the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON’s

organizing club, SC Charlottenburg.

Will Sebastian Hendel deliver

another surprise in his new kit?

Health issues set him back over

the winter months, preventing

him from running a spring marathon.

“I can assess my form just

as little as I could last year. The

past few weeks of training have

been much more stable, and the

overall volume in this buildup is

clearly higher than in 2024. But

the long layoff in winter set me

back enormously. In March, I basically

felt like I was starting again

from zero,” Sebastian Hendel said

about six weeks before the BMW

BERLIN-MARATHON.

In 2024, Sebastian Hendel was surprisingly

the best German in Berlin

with a time of 2:07:33. This year,

the situation is quite similar.

“If the next few weeks go as planned

and the weather conditions

in Berlin are favorable again, I will

definitely aim for a time under

2:07:00,” said Sebastian Hendel,

whose wife Kristina won gold

with the German marathon team

at the 2022 European Athletics

Championships in Munich. She

has a marathon personal best

of 2:27:29. Together with their

young son, the family lives in the

Vogtland region near Zwickau.

- 79 -

GERMAN TOP

ATHLETES IN BERLIN

the world list for the year

with 2:02:27.

Will Eliud Kipchoge’s

course record fall?

In Berlin, the Kenyan will

now run his third marathon

and will certainly aim to improve

his personal best—

and thus the world-leading

time of the year. What time

can he achieve on the fast

Berlin course? If Sawe runs

just one second faster per

kilometer than he did in Valencia,

he would come very

close to the Berlin course

record of the legendary

Eliud Kipchoge. The

Kenyan won the BMW

BERLIN-MARATHON in

2022 with what was then

a world record of 2:01:09.

That mark could be a realistic

target for Sabastian

Hendrik Pfeiffer

Hendrik Pfeiffer has developed

into a marathon specialist who,

despite a relatively high number

of starts, manages to deliver

strong performances and continue

improving. In just the past

three years, he has run a dozen

marathons. During this time,

Hendrik Pfeiffer improved his

personal best from 2:10:18 to

2:07:14. This makes the 23-yearold

currently the fourth-fastest

German marathon runner of all

time, leading the second group of

German marathoners behind the

trio Samuel Fitwi, Amanal Petros,

and Richard Ringer.

Highlights of this unusually intense

series of races over the classic

distance—some of which he did

not run at full effort—were the

Houston and London Marathons

in 2024. In a brilliant race without

pacemakers, he clocked 2:07:14

in Houston, finishing third with

this personal best. He missed securing

the third German Olympic

spot by just ten seconds.

Barely three months later, Hendrik

Pfeiffer, who has been competing

for Düsseldorf Athletics

since this year, produced another

very strong performance: at

the London Marathon, he placed

- 80 -

seventh in 2:10:00. This was the

best finish by a German athlete

in the men’s race in London since

1988. After starting out at too

fast a pace at the BMW BERLIN-

MARATHON 2024, he still managed

2:08:20—his second-fastest

time.

This year, he underwent foot

surgery in the spring. In July, he

made his comeback by winning

the adidas Runners City Night

in Berlin. Over 10 kilometers, he

set a course record and a personal

best of 28:27. “I am completely

pain-free after my surgery

and am thoroughly enjoying the

resulting freedom in training. I’m

having a lot of fun right now, and

we are also trying out some new

training stimuli,” said Hendrik

Pfeiffer about six weeks before

his start at the BMW BERLIN-

MARATHON.

“My goal will be to run under

2:07:00 and to show the German

Athletics Federation that it

was a mistake to withdraw their

trust in me,” said Hendrik Pfeiffer,

who was not nominated by the

national federation for the World

Championship marathon in Tokyo.

That race takes place just

under a week before the BMW

BERLIN-MARATHON, on September

15. Thus, the husband

A year ago, Hendrik Pfeiffer ran the

second-fastest marathon of his career

in Berlin with a time of 2:08:20.

Nevertheless, he was not nominated

for the 2025 World Championship

marathon in Tokyo. Accordingly, he

will be highly motivated when he

lines up at the BMW BERLIN-

MARATHON 2025.

and coach of long-distance runner

Esther Pfeiffer (née Jacobitz)

will line up in Berlin with even

greater motivation.

- 81 -

Sawe, who ran the second

half of the London Marathon

this April in 60:57.

While Sawe is seen as the

favorite, the field behind

him is very strong and wellbalanced.

Defending champion

Milkesa Mengesha is

in the race, too. The Ethiopian

improved to 2:03:17

last year in Berlin and could

play a major role, as could

Gabriel Geay, who holds

the Tanzanian national record

with 2:03:00.

Milkesa Mengesha of Ethiopia

won the 2024 BMW BERLIN

MARATHON in 2:03:17 hours.

This year, he aims to finish at the

top again.

GERMAN TOP

ATHLETES IN BERLIN

Haftom Welday

Berlin has been a good place for

Haftom Welday. The 35-year-old

runner from TB Hamburg Eilbeck,

who was born in Eritrea, grew up

in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, and

fled to Germany from the crisis

area in 2014, made his breakthrough

at the GENERALI BERLIN

HALF MARATHON in 2021. He

improved by more than four minutes

to 62:47. At the end of September,

he returned for the BMW

BERLIN-MARATHON and made

his marathon debut in 2:13:47.

A year later, Haftom Welday took

the next big step at the BMW BER-

LIN-MARATHON: finishing 11th,

he improved to 2:09:06, breaking

the 2:10:00 barrier

for the first time.

Since then, he has

lowered his personal

best to 2:08:24,

and in 2023 he

achieved a remarkable

14th place at

the World Championship

marathon

in Budapest. A

year ago in Berlin,

however, he did

not reach the finish

line after starting

out too fast. Now

he is set to make a

new attempt.

Johannes Motschmann

Will the third time be the charm

for Johannes Motschmann? The

31-year-old, who competes for the

Marathon Team Berlin, has already

set two personal bests this year:

right at the start of the season he

ran 28:13 over 10 kilometers and

shortly afterwards 61:03 in the

half marathon. Now only the marathon

best is missing. So far, Johannes

Motschmann’s best over the

42.195 km distance is 2:10:39, a

time he achieved about a year and

a half ago in London, where he placed

a very strong ninth. A breakthrough

under 2:10:00 is long

overdue. The former steeplechaser

divides his time between Berlin

and Blacksburg, Virginia (USA),

where his girlfriend is studying.

THE FAVORITE

Sabastian Sawe is Kenya’s newest star on the

marathon scene. The 30-year-old has so far run

the 42.195 km distance only twice. He won both

races, each time setting the world-leading performance

of the year, and has never run slower

than 2:02:30. When he triumphed in Valencia

last December in 2:02:05 on his debut, Sabastian

Sawe immediately became the fifth-fastest

marathoner of all time. Only one runner has ever

run faster in his first marathon: Kelvin Kiptum.

The early stages of Sabastian Sawe’s marathon

career evoke memories of the late exceptional

athlete. He is also familiar with Berlin’s asphalt,

having won the GENERALI BERLIN HALF

MARATHON in 2023.

Rising

Star

FAVORITE: SABASTIAN SAWE

After his sensational

world record of 2:00:35

in October 2023 in Chicago,

Kelvin Kiptum seemed to be

on track to become the first

runner to break the twohour

barrier in a record-eligible

race. He was also the

big favorite for the Olympic

Games in Paris 2024. But

then Kelvin Kiptum’s life

was tragically cut short in a

car accident. Can Sebastian

Sawe step into Kelvin Kiptum’s

role?

After his victory in April at

the prestigious London Marathon,

where he set the

current world-leading time

of 2:02:27, Sebastian Sawe

now aims to use Berlin’s fast

course to achieve a new personal

best. “I am very happy

to compete at the BMW BER-

LIN-MARATHON, one of the

fastest marathon races in the

world,” said Sebastian Sawe.

“I will give my best to be ready

and to take the opportunity

to run this iconic race.”

First European

race at 27

Sebastian Sawe was a late

bloomer. It was only at the

beginning of 2022 that the

Kenyan competed outside

Africa for the first time—and

he had immediate success.

He won the Seville Half Marathon

in a world-class 59:02

minutes, setting a course record,

the world-leading time,

and one of the fastest half

marathon debuts ever. Just

a few weeks later, Sebastian

Sawe went exactly one minute

faster: at the traditional

Rome-Ostia Half Marathon,

he smashed the course re-

- 86 -

In April, Sabastian Sawe won the

London Marathon in a strong time

of 2:02:27 hours.

FAVORITE: SABASTIAN SAWE

cord and triumphed in 58:02.

Sawe also caused a stir in

the summer of 2022: at the

athletics meeting in Brussels,

he won the highly competitive

one-hour race with

a distance of 21.250 kilometers.

While he could not

maintain the world record

pace until the end due to hot

conditions, it was enough to

secure a world best performance

over 15,000 meters,

which he passed in 41:51.64

minutes.

Rocking Berlin as a half

marathon champion

After finishing seventh at

the highly competitive World

Cross Country Championships

in Bathurst (Australia)

in 2023, Sebastian Sawe

won the GENERALI BERLIN

HALF MARATHON in 59:00.

In October 2023, the Kenyan

also triumphed at the

World Half Marathon Championships

in Riga. Following

another seventh place at

the World Cross Country

Championships in Belgrade

in 2024 and half marathon

victories in Prague and Copenhagen,

the reigning half

marathon world champion

shifted his focus to the marathon

distance.

Sebastian Sawe trains in

Kapsabet, Kenya, where he

is part of the strong training

group led by Claudio

Berardelli. The Italian coach

has worked with worldclass

athletes many times

in the past. “I’ve been doing

this job for 21 years.

I’m not sure I’ve ever coached

a runner as strong as

him,” says Claudio Berardelli.

- 88 -

CHALLENGER

Milkesa Mengesha will line up as the defending

champion. Somewhat unexpectedly,

the Ethiopian won the 50th BMW

BERLIN-MARATHON a year ago, improving

his personal best by more than two

minutes to an outstanding 2:03:17.

The 25-year-old, who comes from Ethiopia’s

western province of Welega and

has six siblings, made an early transition

to the marathon via the track long-distance

events and cross country. In 2019,

Milkesa Mengesha became junior world

champion in cross country, and two years

later, with a strong 5,000 m personal

best of 12:58.28, he qualified for the

Olympic Games. In Tokyo, he reached

the final and finished 10th.

Despite these successes, from 2022

onwards road races became his main

focus. In Valencia, he ran a very strong

marathon debut, finishing seventh in

2:05:29. In 2023, he was part of Ethiopia’s

World Championship team and

placed sixth in the heat of Budapest’s

marathon. One year later came his biggest

triumph so far: victory at the BMW

BERLIN-MARATHON.

Milkesa

Mengesha

How the women’s

race might

play out

After five consecutive

victories by Ethiopian

runners, the 51st BMW

BERLIN-MARATHON could

see a Kenyan winner for the

first time since 2018. Rosemary

Wanjiru enters the

race as the favorite. The Kenyan

returns to the course

where her marathon career

began impressively in

2022. Three years ago in

Berlin, she finished second

in her debut with a time

of 2:18:00. Six months later,

Rosemary Wanjiru won

the Tokyo Marathon, and in

2024 she finished second

Three years after the sensational

start of her marathon career, Rosemary

Wanjiru is returning to Berlin:

in 2022, the Kenyan finished second

in her debut with a time of 2:18:00.

On September 21, 2025, she is

aiming for victory.

WOMEN‘S

MARATHON

RECORDS

WORLD RECORD

2:09:56

RUTH CHEPNGETICH (Kenia)*

Chicago (2024)

EUROPEAN RECORD

2:13:44

SIFAN HASSAN (Netherlands)

Chicago (2023)

GERMAN RECORD

2:19:19

IRINA MIKITENKO (TV Wattenscheid)

Berlin (2008)

COURSE RECORD

2:11:53

TIGST ASSEFA (Ethiopia)

Berlin (2023)

WORLD BEST TIME OF THE YEAR

2:15:50

TIGST ASSEFA (Ethiopia)

London (April 27, 2025)

GERMAN BEST TIME OF THE YEAR

2:24:22

DOMENIKA MAYER

(LG Telis Finanz Regensburg)

Hanover (April 6, 2025)

*) Athlete provisionally suspended

due to doping suspicion

there with her current personal

best of 2:16:14. With

this time, she tops the start

list. The 30-year-old will

certainly look to use Berlin’s

fast course to further

improve her personal best.

World-leading time

is possible

If she arrives in top form,

Rosemary Wanjiru will surely

aim to beat her best time

on the fast Berlin course—

and perhaps even dip under

2:15:00. The current worldleading

time of 2:15:50 could

therefore fall. The course record

of 2:11:53, however,

will almost certainly remain

out of reach.

Still, Rosemary Wanjiru

will not have an easy task

in Berlin. She faces a quartet

of Ethiopian runners,

GERMAN TOP

ATHLETES IN BERLIN

all of whom have already

run under 2:19:00: Degitu

Azimeraw (2:17:58), Dera

Dida (2:18:32), the wife of

Olympic marathon champion

Tamirat Tola, as well

as Mestawut Fikir (2:18:48)

and Tigist Girma (2:18:52).

Debutants

can surprise

Also on the start line is Honami

Maeda, Japan’s current record

holder, who ran 2:18:59

in Osaka in early 2024. After

suffering a stress fracture

shortly before the 2024

Olympic Games, Berlin will

mark her first marathon since

that record run. However,

given her long injury layoff,

Maeda is unlikely to be back

in peak form yet.

One of the three Ethiopian

debutants could also provide

Domenika Mayer

Since her marathon debut in

spring 2022, when she immediately

won the Hannover Marathon,

Domenika Mayer has been

the most consistent German marathon

runner. The 34-year-old

has fond memories of the BMW

BERLIN-MARATHON. Two years

ago, she ran her personal

best there with 2:23:47 in a surprisingly

strong performance

that qualified her for the Olympic

Games. At the Paris Olympics

last year, the three-time Hannover

Marathon champion placed

28th, finishing as the best German

runner.

She began her preparations

with the goal of using Berlin’s

fast course to set a significantly

better personal best. However,

things did not go as planned for

a long time, as health problems

set her back. Endurance training

was no problem, but the mother

of two daughters was unable to

complete speed workouts. At one

point, she nearly withdrew from

the race in Berlin, but at the last

moment, she managed to turn

things around. “Given the situation,

it’s difficult to define goals,”

said Domenika Mayer about six

weeks before the BMW BER-

- 94 -

LIN-MARATHON. “But,” added

her coach and husband Christian

Mayer, “Domenika can fight—she

will push through it.”

Indeed, Domenika Mayer has

often proven that she cannot

be easily knocked off course. In

2022, she spontaneously decided

to make her marathon debut

in Hanover. Shortly after recovering

from a COVID-19 infection,

she sensationally won the race

in freezing temperatures with

2:26:50. That victory also made

her German champion and earned

her a spot in the marathon

at the European Championships

in Munich. There, in hot conditions,

she delivered another surprise:

finishing sixth, she was

the second-best German runner

and, together with the German

team, won the European Cup title,

which was integrated into the

European Championships.

Although she struggled with a

foot problem during the BMW

BERLIN-MARATHON two years

ago, she still improved her personal

best by more than three

minutes to 2:23:47—making

her, at that time, the second-fastest

German woman ever behind

Irina Mikitenko (2:19:19).

Today, she ranks third on Germany’s

all-time list. This year,

In 2023, Domenika Mayer delivered

her masterpiece in Berlin: improving

to 2:23:47, she was the best

German finisher and still today

ranks third on the all-time list of the

fastest German women.

she won the Hannover Marathon

for the third time, and with her

winning time of 2:24:22, she currently

leads the German yearly

best list by a clear margin. While

she mainly trains near her home,

a short altitude training camp in

St. Moritz in August doubled as

the family’s summer vacation.

- 95 -

TOP RUNNERS

AND THEIR

PERSONAL

BESTS

Rosemary Wanjiru KEN 2:16:14

Degitu Azimeraw ETH 2:17:58

Dera Dida ETH 2:18:32

Mestawut Fikir ETH 2:18:48

Tigist Girma ETH 2:18:52

Honami Maeda JPN 2:18:59

Sharon Chelimo KEN 2:19:33

Aberu Ayana ETH 2:20:20

Azmera Gebru ETH 2:20:48

Linet Masai KEN 2:21:01

Violah Cheptoo KEN 2:22:44

Betty Chepkwony KEN 2:23:02

Domenika Mayer GER 2:23:47

Deborah Schöneborn GER 2:24:54

Aberash Demisse ETH 2:25:43

Fabienne Königstein GER 2:25:48

Aleksandra Lisowska POL 2:25:52

Samantha Harrison GBR 2:25:59

Irvette Van Zyl RSA 2:26:11

Hanne Verbruggen BEL 2:26:32

Melina Wolf GER 2:27:34

Jana Soethout GER 2:32:40

Karoline Grovdal NOR -

Girmawit Gebrzihair ETH Debut

a surprise. With a world-class

half marathon best of 64:14,

Girmawit Gebrzihair enters

the race, joined by Lemlem

Hailu and Fantu Worku as

fellow marathon newcomers.

Another notable entry is Norway’s

Karoline Grøvdal, who

is making her second marathon

attempt. She had bad

luck in her debut in Hamburg

in April, dropping out

due to foot problems. The

triple European cross-country

and half marathon champion

(2024) has the potential

to produce a top European

time and could challenge

the 40-year-old Norwegian

record of Ingrid Kristiansen

(2:21:06), which was also the

world record at the time.

GERMAN TOP

ATHLETES IN BERLIN

Fabienne Königstein

After eight years, Fabienne Königstein

is returning to the BMW

BERLIN-MARATHON, where her

marathon career began in 2017.

Back then, still competing under

the name Fabienne Amrhein, she

finished her debut in 2:34:14.

Just over six months later, the

then 25-year-old became German

champion in Düsseldorf with

2:32:35.

But after this promising start to

her marathon career, it took nearly

five years before Fabienne Königstein,

who runs for MTG Mannheim,

was able to race the 42.195

km distance again. Injuries, illness,

COVID-19 lockdowns, and pregnancy

kept her sidelined. In April

2023, Fabienne Königstein made

a sensational comeback, providing

the springtime surprise of German

women’s marathon running. At the

Hamburg Marathon, she improved

her best by nearly seven minutes—from

2:32:35 to 2:25:48.

Injury prevented her from running

a fall marathon in 2023. Then

2024 turned into another difficult

year. At the Boston Marathon, she

was forced to drop out due to illness,

and later that year, another

injury stopped her once again. But

this spring she staged a surprising

return with a rare double start: first

running 2:28:20 in Nagoya, then

After two

challenging

years, Fabienne

Königstein aims

to target her

personal best

of 2:25:48 at

the BMW

BERLIN-

MARATHON.

taking a strong fourth place in

Vienna with 2:28:49.

In her buildup for the BMW BER-

LIN-MARATHON, Fabienne Königstein—who

lives in Karlsruhe

and studied molecular biology

in Heidelberg before moving on

to sports management—spent

three weeks at an altitude training

camp in Livigno. She was

supported there by her parents,

who helped care for her threeyear-old

daughter. “I am satisfied

with my preparation so far

for the BMW BERLIN-MARA-

THON and want to clearly improve

on my personal best,” said

Fabienne Königstein about six

weeks before her start in Berlin.

- 97 -

GERMAN TOP

ATHLETES IN BERLIN

Deborah Schöneborn

Deborah Schöneborn has experienced

both highs and lows in

her marathon career in recent years.

The 31-year-old, who competes

for the Marathon Team Berlin,

caused a surprise at the 2021

Olympic Games in Sapporo, Japan,

finishing 18th over the 42.195 km

distance. A year later, she placed

10th at the European Championships

in Munich and won the Marathon

European Cup with the

German team. Her next major

goal was the Olympic Games in

Paris. At the beginning of 2024,

she delivered a strong performance

in Houston, improving to

2:24:54 and remaining the sixthfastest

German marathoner of all

time. But the joy was bittersweet:

she missed the Olympic ticket for

Paris 2024 by just 23 seconds.

Adding to the setback, Deborah

Schöneborn—who studied medicine

in Berlin—struggled with a

long-lasting foot injury, which meant

she could only return to marathon

racing this spring. With a time

of 2:29:30 in Hanover, she marked

her comeback and is now hoping

for another upward step at the

BMW BERLIN-MARATHON.

- 98 -

THE FAVORITE

- 100 -

Rosemary Wanjiru is making a second attempt:

the Kenyan world-class runner had actually

planned to compete a year ago at the 50th BMW

BERLIN-MARATHON. She would have been one

of the top favorites at the anniversary race, but

an injury prevented her start. Now she is returning

to Berlin, the place where her career over the

classic distance began so impressively in 2022.

Back then, she finished second and, with a time

of 2:18:00, not only produced a world-class result

right away but also ran the second-fastest

debut ever at that time.

New

Attempt

- 101 -

FAVORITE: ROSEMARY WANJIRU

Inspired by Kenya’s former

world-class runner

Mary Keitany, who won the

half marathon world title in

2009 and set a 25-kilometer

world record in Berlin in

2010, Rosemary Wanjiru

followed the traditional path

into road racing. She first

competed on the track over

middle- and long-distance

events.

Growing up at altitude in the

town of Nyahururu, located

in Kenya between Nairobi

and Eldoret, Rosemary Wanjiru

received a scholarship

as a teenager and moved to

Japan. This career path has

been taken by a number of

Kenya’s top runners. Wanjiru

lived in Japan for several years,

where elite athletes are

mostly organized through

corporate teams that recruit

and support them. She was

part of Team Starts, a management

company.

At the age of 23, Rosemary

Wanjiru raced in Europe

for the first time in 2018. A

year later, she qualified for

the World Championships in

Doha (Qatar) in the 10,000

meters, finishing fourth with

her still-standing personal

best of 30:35.75. Her half

marathon debut in Ras Al

Khaimah (United Arab Emirates)

in February 2020 was

excellent: she immediately

produced a world-class time

of 65:34, finishing third in

a very strong field. This remains

her personal best over

the distance.

But the marathon is certainly

her strongest discipline. After

her impressive debut at


- 102 -

CHALLENGER

Dera Dida is part of what is currently

the most successful marathon family

in global distance running. In

2023, she won the prestigious Dubai

Marathon and later placed a strong

sixth at the BMW BERLIN-MARA-

THON in 2:19:24. This year in Dubai,

the 28-year-old Ethiopian improved

her personal best to 2:18:32. Unfortunately,

she had some bad luck, as

stomach problems slowed her down in

the latter stages of the race. While leading,

she was overtaken shortly before

the finish and had to settle for second

place. Her husband is none other than

the Olympic marathon champion of

Paris 2024: Tamirat Tola. His brother,

Abdisa Tola, also won the Dubai

Marathon in 2023, making the event

something of a family affair. Dera Dida

and Tamirat Tola are coached in Addis

Ababa by Gemedu Dedefo, who

leads what is considered the strongest

marathon training group in the world

today. “Most of the time I train with

Tamirat, but for certain sessions I join

the group. Seeing the success of the

other women in the group is motivating,”

says Dera Dida, whose training

partners include, among others,

two-time BMW BERLIN-MARATHON

champion Tigst Assefa.

Dera

Dida

- 103 -

FAVORITE: ROSEMARY WANJIRU

THON in 2022, Rosemary

Wanjiru celebrated the biggest

victory of her career six

months later: back in Japan,

the 1.59 m tall, 44 kg athlete

won the Tokyo Marathon,

improving to 2:16:28.

She was then selected for

the World Championships in

Budapest and started as one

of the top favorites. However,

in extreme heat, she was

unable to win a medal and finished

sixth. In March 2024,

she confirmed her enormous

potential with another personal

best of 2:16:14 and a

runner-up finish in Tokyo.

After an injury-related break,

she returned once again to

the Tokyo Marathon this year,

finishing fifth in 2:19:57.

The clenched fist in photos is said

to bring good luck in Japan. For

Rosemary Wanjiru, the plan worked

twice at the Tokyo Marathon: in

2023 she won in 2:16:28, and this

year she finished second in 2:16:14.

BERLIN FROM ABOVE

TV Tower Victory Column Radio Tower

At 368 meters, it is the

tallest building in Germany.

The restaurant

Sphere, located 207

meters above the city,

rotates 360° once every

hour.

The 50-meter-high

walkable column is

affectionately called

Goldelse by Berliners

and offers a fantastic

panoramic view of central

Berlin.

From the 126-meterhigh

platform on the

exhibition grounds, you

have a spectacular panoramic

view of Berlin’s

landmarks and the Grunewald

forest.

Beyond

the course

– 106 –

Berlin, this fascinating city

where everyone can do their

own thing, has so much exciting

and entertaining to

offer: shows and history,

nightlife, theaters, pubs,

cabaret, jazz clubs, restaurants,

urban neighborhoods

and green oases, museums,

monuments and sights,

shopping malls and art markets.

Here you’ll find the

best tips for the days around

Marathon Sunday.

– 107 –

SIGHTSEEING

Checkpoint Charlie

The most famous border crossing between East and West stands for

major events in world history, spy thrillers, tragic escapes, and joyful

moments. The Wall Museum – Museum Haus am Checkpoint Charlie

– tells all of these stories.

Berlin Zoo

Charming, historic, and endlessly

diverse: Covering more than 35

hectares, Berlin Zoo offers exotic

animal worlds ranging from

elephants and quokkas to clever

Komodo dragons. The zoo impresses

with its rich variety of

species, relaxing walking paths,

and lovingly designed open enclosures.

A green gem in the heart

of the city.

erlin,

Gendarmenmarkt

The Gendarmenmarkt is one of the most beautiful squares in Berlin.

The three monumental buildings – the German Cathedral, the French

Cathedral, and the Concert Hall – frame the square in Berlin-Mitte beautifully.

The Gendarmenmarkt’s eventful history can be traced back

to the 17th century, with every historical era leaving its architectural

mark here.

Brandenburg Gate

The 20-meter-high triumphal

gate is regarded as a symbol of

reunified Germany. During the

division of Germany, the border

between East and West Berlin

ran through here.

Berlin!

SIGHTSEEING

© Adobe Stock/Kreativ4insider.com

Route 100 double-decker bus

Take the 100 double-decker bus on a discovery tour through the city

center. Along the route between Zoologischer Garten and Alexanderplatz,

the highlights line up like pearls on a string. The best seat

with the finest view is right at the front on the upper deck behind the

large windscreen.

Underground

worlds

Air-raid–like tunnels, bunkers,

and forgotten depths

of the city’s history. Dense

in atmosphere, educational,

and with a touch of adventure:

here, Berlin’s history

can be experienced literally

‘underground.’

CULTURE & CELEBRATION

ON MARATHON WEEKEND

THURSDAY | September 18

Musical: Romeo & Juliet I Stage Theater des Westens — 7:30 PM

Theatre: Humboldt Tells … I Theater im Palais — 7:30 PM

Concert: De Profundis I Berliner Ensemble: Main Stage — 7:30 PM

Exhibition: The Living City I German Museum of Technology — all day

FRIDAY | September 19

Comedy: Stand Up Comedy Show I Downstairs Berlin — 6:00 PM & 9:00 PM

Concert: Berlin Philharmonic 2 l Philharmonie — 8:00 PM

Musical: The Nurse I Stage Theater des Westens — 7:30 PM

Opera: Jesus Christ Superstar I Komische Oper/Tempelhof Hangar 1 — 7:30 PM

SATURDAY | September 20

Celebration: Street Festival on Bölsche I Bölschestraße, Friedrichshagen — from 12:00 PM

Exhibition: Anoha l Children’s World of the Jewish Museum — from 10:00 AM

Foodfestival: Bites & Bikes I JULES B-PART at Gleisdreieck — from 12:00 PM

Musical: Elvis - The Musical l Estrel Hotel & Convention Center — 8:00 PM

SUNDAY | September 21

Varieté: Humans 2.0 I Chamäleon (Hackesche Höfe) — 6:00 PM

Comedy: The Great Heinz Erhardt Evening | Schlosspark Theater — 8:00 PM

Theatre: The Broken Jug | Deutsches Theater — 6:00 PM

Celebration: Closing Party—BMW BERLIN-MARATHON l Kosmos Berlin — 8:00 PM

MONDAY | September 21

Improvisational Theatre: TheatreSports Berlin | Monbijou Theater, Märchenhütte — 7:30 PM

Revue: Graduates’ Gala of the State School of Circus Arts Berlin – Cirquisk on Tour I

Wintergarten Varieté — 8:00 PM

Exhibition: Limitless Fun and Creativity I Ikono Berlin — 10:00 AM

You can experience the

Berlin Philharmonic on

Friday evening before

the marathon.

- 111 -

SHOPPING

Mall of Berlin

At the very heart of the center: This prime, high-profile location in Berlin’s

city core is among the most frequented spots and has become a

tourist highlight as well as a hub for fashion and lifestyle.

- 112 -

SHOPPING

Bikini Berlin

Berlin,

Located right next to the Zoological Garden, Bikini Berlin is far

more than a shopping center – it is a concept mall that combines

fashion, design, and gastronomy into a creative experience. Between

international labels and Berlin independent brands, you’ll

regularly find rotating pop-up stores presenting fresh ideas and

limited collections. The light-flooded halls with industrial charm

and the spacious outdoor terrace with panoramic views of the

zoo’s monkey enclosure create an atmosphere that invites visitors

to stroll and linger.

TOP SPORTS EVENTS

ON MARATHON WEEKEND

FRIDAY | September 19

2nd Handball Bundesliga

VfL Potsdam vs. VfL Lübeck-Schwartau | MBS Arena — 7:00 PM

SATURDAY | September 20

2nd Football Bundesliga

Hertha BSC Berlin vs. SC Paderborn | Olympiastadion Berlin — 1:00 PM

SUNDAY | September 21

Handball Bundesliga

Füchse Berlin vs. MT Melsungen | Max-Schmeling-Halle — 3:00 PM

FOOD & MORE

Eden Restaurant

Eden offers the culinary diversity

of Vietnam: classics

such as Pho Bo and

Pho Ga, creative dishes like

Pho Xao with wok vegetables

or ‘Hanoi Fish,’ as well

as vegetarian options with

tofu and light summer rolls.

Warm bamboo lanterns,

lush plants, and natural materials

create a ‘Garden of

Eden’ feeling right in the heart

of the city.

The Meat Company

In the heart of Berlin, The Meat Company serves authentic BBQ craftsmanship

from the smoker – juicy, smoky, and full of flavor. Creative highlights

include Smoked Honey Turkey in Shokupan, a Pastrami Reuben

Sandwich, or Ribeye with US Prime Beef. The modern, no-frills setting

puts the focus entirely on quality and good vibes. Perfect for after the

marathon.

Lokum Berlin

Lokum Döner on Kantstraße offers

Berlin’s first steak döner made

from certified halal meat in homemade

bread. Several food bloggers

are convinced: it’s one of the

best döners in the German capital.

Fresh, house-made ayran is also

available.

Försters

Creative, 100% vegan home-style

cooking in a relaxed, urban atmosphere.

Original interpretations of

classics such as roulades, Königsberger

meatballs, schnitzel, and

seasonally changing cakes & desserts.

Regional, seasonal, and sustainable.

Max und Moritz

Traditional Berlin tavern since 1902: Right in the heart of Kreuzberg, this

listed heritage inn invites you on a culinary journey through time. For

more than 120 years, traditional German cuisine has been served here –

from juicy Königsberg meatballs to crispy Wiener Schnitzel. Guests from

all over the world appreciate the warm, family-like atmosphere and the

cosmopolitan spirit that keeps the ‘Berlin melting pot’ feeling alive. Historic

wood paneling, intricate Art Nouveau details, and a touch of Berlin

humor make every visit a true experience. Perfect for diving into Berlin’s

culinary heritage: hearty home-style cooking, Berlin charm, and a fine

selection of draft beers.

TIP

LOST SOMETHING?

→ Lost and Found Office

of the State of Berlin

Tempelhof, Platz der Luftbrücke,

to the right of the

entrance to the former Tempelhof

Airport.

+49 (0) 30 902 773 101

FAMILY

Technology Museum

Here, the colorful world of technology comes to life. Curiosity and the

spirit of discovery can be indulged to the fullest. ‘Discover and experiment’

is the motto – even for adults.

Museum of Musical

Instruments

Musical instruments of European

art music from the 16th

to the 21st century. Around

800 instruments are on display,

many of them still playable.

© Adobe Stock/Rkbox

Jumphouse Berlin

On a total area of over 4,000 m²

with more than 120 trampolines

across ten different fun and

action zones, the whole family

can let off steam. Registration

required.

Ritter Sport Chocolate Workshop

Chocolate tastes delicious. But one you’ve made yourself, with all your

favorite ingredients, tastes even better. If you want to give it a try, head to

Ritter Sport’s Colorful ChocoWorld – just make sure to register online first!

Legoland Discovery Centre Berlin

At the Legoland Discovery Centre, there’s plenty to learn about the little

building bricks from the world’s largest toy manufacturer. And of course,

both kids and adults can build to their heart’s content.

- 117 -

History

It has now been 51 years since, on

October 13, 1974, 286 participants set off

on a loop course along the AVUS in Grunewald

for the very first BERLIN-MARATHON. Since

then, the race has written countless stories.

Here you can read two of them, which took

place 30 and 50 years ago.

Texts: Jörg Wenig

1975

When a married couple

triumphed twice

At the second edition of the BERLIN-

MARATHON, there was a novelty: a

married couple triumphed in the race.

Ralf Bochröder, competing for OSC

Berlin, won in 2:47:08, while his wife

Kristin, who did not belong to any club,

claimed victory in 3:59:15. A total of

325 runners registered for this BER-

LIN-MARATHON, with 235 officially

recorded at the finish line in Mommsenstadion.

1995

When Uta Pippig

won for the third

time and Berlin’s

rise to world class

began

In 1995, the BERLIN-MARATHON

featured by far its strongest elite

field up to that point. One reason

for this was London-based athletes’

manager Kim McDonald,

who, in cooperation with Christoph

Kopp – responsible for the

top runners for many years – assembled

the elite line-up.

The challenge for Kenyan athletes

in the early 1990s was their

lack of know-how in marathon

training. Over shorter distances,

they produced world-class times

in abundance, but over the marathon

distance, they rarely reached

their full potential at that time. The

more European coaches in particular

prepared Kenyan athletes for

marathon races, the better the results

became. Kim McDonald, who

passed away a few years later,

was one of the first to recognize

this. He appointed Dieter Hogen,

This is what winners looked like 30

years ago: Kenyan runner Sammy

Lelei and Berlin’s own Uta Pippig.

the coach of successful Berlin marathon

runner Uta Pippig – then

the fastest woman in the world in

the mid-1990s – to train Kenyan

athletes.

Uta Pippig won the BERLIN-MA-

RATHON in 1995 for the third

time, after victories in 1990 and

1992. The celebrated local star,

competing for the host club SCC

Berlin, crossed the finish line on

Kurfürstendamm in 2:25:37.

But the real sensation happened

in the men’s race: Sammy Lelei,

part of Dieter Hogen’s training

group, stormed to an astonishing

time. After falling well behind following

a surge by Belgium’s Vincent

Rousseau, he first overtook

1995

defending champion António Pinto

of Portugal and then, just a few

kilometers before the finish, also

left behind Rousseau – at the time

considered the best white marathon

runner. Lelei reached the finish

line in an incredible 2:07:02

– the second-fastest time ever

run at that point. He missed the

then world best (the term “world

record” was not yet used for road

races) of Ethiopia’s Belayneh Dinsamo

by only twelve seconds.

With 2:07:20, Vincent Rousseau

also achieved an absolute worldclass

result, and António Pinto, finishing

third in 2:08:57, still stayed

under 2:09.

Based on his training performances,

Dieter Hogen had actually

rated another runner in his

group higher than Lelei: Sammy

Nyangincha. But the day before

the race, he slipped in the shower

of his hotel room and injured his

arm in the fall. He ultimately finished

fourth in 2:09:36. Without

this mishap, the men’s world best

might already have fallen at the

BERLIN-MARATHON in 1995.

13,314 runners cross

the finish line with a

chip for the first time

For mass participation, 1995 also

marked a milestone: for the first

time, timing was carried out using

a chip attached to the shoe. At the

finish line, 13,314 runners were

recorded with this new, groundbreaking

technology, which soon

spread internationally.

Uta Pippig won the BERLIN

MARATHON for the third time

in 1995. One of the first to

congratulate her was her

father, Wolfgang.

- 120 -

Marathons sind hart.

Marathons Umsatzwachstum sind hart.

sollte Umsatzwachstum

es nicht sein.

sollte es nicht sein.

EQUIPMENT

We say

THANK YOU!

We would like to thank the following institutions

Senatsverwaltung für Inneres und Sport

Senatsverwaltung für Umwelt, Verkehr und Klimaschutz

Senatsverwaltung für Bildung, Jugend und Familie,

Tiefbauämter von Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg,

Mitte-Tiergarten, Neukölln, Tempelhof-Schöneberg, Steglitz-Zehlendorf,

Gartenbauämter von Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf und Mitte-Tiergarten

Der Polizeipräsident in Berlin | Berliner Feuerwehr

Berliner Leichtathletik-Verband e.V. | Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG)

S-Bahn Berlin GmbH | Johanniter Unfall-Hilfe e.V.

Evangelische Kirche | Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtnis-Kirche

Landessportbund Berlin e.V. | Landesverwaltungsamt Berlin

Ministerium für Bildung, Jugend und Sport des Landes Brandenburg

Akademie für Sozial- und Gesundheitsberufe | Euroakademie Berlin

ILB-Medizinische Akademie Berlin | Krankengymnastik-Paxis Andreas Schwarz

Körperwerkstatt Berin | Rehabilitationszentrum Berlin

Staatlich anerkannte Lehranstalten für Physiotherapie und Massage

Prof. Dr. Med. Vogler Schule | Wannsee-Schule e.V. Schule für Gesundheitsberufe

all Media

An additional thank you to the sponsors and promoters

who support the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON and SCC EVENTS

realbuzz

Super Sparrow

Aktuell Vertriebs GmbH

Höffner Möbelgesellschaft

Die Sportografen

ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg

Freche Freunde

HelloFresh

K-TEL Communications

Rollerblade

Weingut Castelfeder

Messe Berlin

Rexona

Klosterfrau

Netto Markendiscount

Chiquita

YumYum

Coral

Media Partner:

Der Tagesspiegel

RTL Group

Our very special thanks go to the many volunteers from clubs and

Berlin schools, as well as from SCC EVENTS, without whose hard work

behind the scenes and along the course, the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON

would not be possible. A heartfelt thank you also goes to our numerous

fans and spectators, who support our participants so enthusiastically

along the course and who contribute to the very special atmosphere

of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON.

Where South

Tyrolean lifestyle

and Berlin’s

scene come

together

The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON includes two

official receptions with leading figures from politics,

business, and sports: at the Get Together

Party on Friday evening and the Finish Line VIP

Brunch on Sunday, guests have for many years

been treated to wine and sparkling wine from

the Castelfeder winery in South Tyrol.

At any official occasion

within the BMW BER-

LIN-MARATHON, the toast

is raised with a wine from

South Tyrol. The Castelfeder

estate, a family-run winery

from Neumarkt on the

Adige, has been supplying

marathon guests with

fine wines for many years.

Across a total of 70 hectares,

vines are cultivated at

altitudes between 220 and

790 meters.

Enjoying the

moment with a

new sparkling wine

This year in Berlin, for the

first time, a newly bottled

sparkling wine from Castelfeder

will be served: “intanto”

is a South Tyrolean

creation with a fine, elegant

perlage that makes every

occasion something special.

With this, the Castelfeder

family winery expands its

product range and proves

that innovation and tradition

go hand in hand. With

its straw-yellow color, fine

and elegant perlage, and

aromas of peach and apple

supported by delicate citrus

notes, it is particularly

well suited as an aperitif and

pairs beautifully with starters

of fish, seafood, or poultry.

The sparkling wine matures

for 48 months on fine

lees to achieve its full flavor.

The new Castelfeder sparkling

wine, vintage 2019, was

first released as a limited

edition in winter 2024.

- 126 -

YOUR RUN. YOUR

CHALLENGE.

Test your race pace and your

marathon race kit.

Whether it‘s a fitness test or a race kit

check – the Generalprobe four weeks

before the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON

is just perfect for you.

August 30, 2026

SAVE THE DATE!

www.berliner-generalprobe.de/en

- 127 -

THE

VIDEO

ON THE

TOPIC

Together

for the

Environment

The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON aims to be as sustainable

as possible. The goal is to strike a balance

between the three dimensions of sustainability:

“Economic Development,” “Social Justice,” and “Environmental

Protection.” This can only be achieved

together with the participants. Here’s how you can

contribute in the area of environmental protection.

DONATE CLOTHING AND SHOES!

On race day, you can wear well-preserved and clean running or training

clothes as an extra warming layer and drop them off in the start area. Together

with the Berliner Stadtmission, SCC EVENTS ensures that your clothing

reaches those who need it most: at the clothing depot, where it is passed

on to people experiencing homelessness. The rule is: only donate what you

would also give to a friend! This also applies to your worn-out running shoes.

These are collected at the Running Shoe Collection stand in Hall 3.1 at the

MARATHON EXPO.

GET

YOUR

TICKET

TRAVEL BY TRAIN – BOTH WAYS!

By choosing your mode of travel or by joining a carpool to the BMW

BERLIN-MARATHON, you can make your own personal contribution to

a more sustainable event. Traveling by train is – whenever possible –

the most environmentally friendly option. A train or long-distance bus

journey produces only 31 grams of greenhouse gases per person. Other

means of transport generate significantly higher emissions: one person

traveling by car produces 166 grams, and those flying even cause 238

grams of CO₂ emissions. Good to know: SCC EVENTS has arranged a

special event ticket with Deutsche Bahn for your discounted journey!

3%

Maria Bendeck läuft auf der ganzen

Welt – ob bei den World Marathon

Majors oder auch in Disney World.

BFALLRECYCLING

ast die Hälfte aller Abfälle

urde recycelt.

ystematische

bfalltrennung an den

ersorgungspunkten und

uf der EXPO sicherte

ine umweltfreundliche

ntsorgung.

USE PUBLIC

TRANSPORT FOR

FREE!

Around the time of the BMW BER-

LIN-MARATHON, the best way to

get around is by using public transport,

which is free of charge with

your bib number from September 18

(00:00) until September 22 (03:00)

within Berlin fare zones A, B, and C.

Those arriving by bicycle can lock it

at specially designated bike parking

areas located at the entrances to

the MARATHON EXPO and the secured

start and finish area.

UATION

BERLIN-MARATHON 2024

RUN FOR A

GOOD CAUSE!

Register for the BMW BERLIN-MA-

RATHON through a charity partner

such as WWF and combine your

run with a fundraising campaign.

ALL

CHARITY

PARTNERS

WATCH

THE

VIDEO

USE YOUR HYDRATION SYSTEM!

The best option is to use your own hydration system in order to

avoid cups entirely or at least reduce their use. At all 15 refreshment

stations along the course, you have the opportunity to refill

your system at refill stations. You can use handheld bottles, hydration

belts, hydration backpacks, or bladders.

MORE INFOR-

MATION

10.147 kg abgelegte Kleidung und

fast 1.000 Laufschuhe wurden

gesammelt und für den guten Zweck

weiterverwendet.

NACHHALTIGES CATERING

An den Versorgungspunkten wurden

PET-Becher aus recyceltem Material

verwendet.

DISPOSE OF THE CUPS PROPERLY!

ERNEUERBARE At the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, ENERGIEN we are aware that hydration systems

are not an option for all runners. That’s why only cups made from

Der already BMW recycled BERLIN-MARATHON SAMMLUNG PET are used. This is wurde a VON type of plastic that is particularly

ausschließlich easy to recycle. mit To ensure Strom that aus the cups are returned to the cycle

fast

erneuerbaren after use, please PFANDFLASCHEN

Quellen throw your betrieben. used cups into the specially designated

large and clearly marked bins.

KOSTENLOSER ÖPNV

Rückgelassene Pfandflaschen wurden

gesammelt und die Einnahmen für

wohltätige Zwecke verwendet.

Alle Teilnehmenden und Volunteers

erhielten kostenfreie ÖPNV-

Tickets, um die Nutzung öffentlicher

Verkehrsmittel zu fördern.

EINSATZ VON E-FAHRZEUGEN

Elektrische Führungsfahrzeuge

sorgten für einen umweltfreundlichen

Eventbetrieb.

290 kg

of used thermal blankets

were returned

shortly after the finish

at the BMW BERLIN-

MARATHON 2023,

compressed on-site,

and handed over to

the manufacturer for

recycling.

RETURN YOUR THERMAL BLANKET!

Please only use a thermal blanket if you are cold and really need it. In any

case, make sure to return your used blanket to the many recycling helpers

(marked with a flag). Only then can it be turned into a new blanket again.

WIED

KLEID

10.147

fast 1.0

gesamm

weiterv

NACH

An den

PET-B

verwen

SAMM

PFAND

Rückge

gesamm

wohltä

CLING

aller Abfälle

.

The motorcyclists accompanying the

BMW BERLIN-MARATHON are also

traveling with electric drive.

WIEDERVERWENDUNG VON

SUSTAINABILITY KLEIDUNG IN NUMBERS

g an den

nkten und

icherte

undliche


fast WIEDERVERWENDUNG 1.000 Laufschuhe wurden VON

gesammelt KLEIDUNGund für den guten Zweck

weiterverwendet.

944

pairs of running shoes were donated in 2024 by

participants and visitors of the MARATHON EXPO

to the Berliner Stadtmission. There’s still room to

increase that number!


fast 1.000 Laufschuhe wurden

gesammelt und für den guten Zweck

NACHHALTIGES CATERING

of the fleet proviweiterverwendet.

ded by BMW (lead

OLOGISCHER 80% IMPACT

vehicles, shuttles) in

of the clothing dropped off at the start of the BMW

024


2024 were electric


NACHHALTIGES CATERING or hybrid-powered.

verwendet.

The goal for this year

BERLIN-MARATHON in 2024 was in such good

condition that it could be passed on to people in need.



verwendet.

CUP RECYCLING

SAMMLUNG VON

92,8 percent ...

PFANDFLASCHEN

ÖKOLOGISCHER IMPAC

... of the drinking cups distributed at the supply

94%

is to reach 100%.

points with cup SAMMLUNG collection were recycled VON at the

BMW BERLIN MARATHON 2024. Systematic

PFANDFLASCHEN Renewable

waste separation ensures

Energy

environmentally gesammelt friendly und die Einnahmen für

3%

disposal.

wohltätige Rückgelassene Zwecke Pfandflaschen verwendet. wurden

is powered almost entirely

gesammelt und die Einnahmen für

wohltätige Zwecke verwendet.

sources.

Rückgelassene Pfandflaschen wurden

The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON

by electricity from renewable

K

A

e

T

V

E

E

s

E

E

D

f

e

K

Ein Motor

COMPLETED ALL MAJORS FOUR TIMES

Since 2012, Maria Bendeck has run around 30 marathons and has completed

all six of the World Marathon Majors four times. For the doctor from

Florida, it’s not about speed or rankings: she enjoys the sense of community

that comes with it—and the opportunity to do something good for

others through her running.

On September 21, over 50,000 runners will take

their marks at the 51st BMW BERLIN-MARA-

THON 2025. Each of them carrying their own

running story in mind and heart. We’re introducing

four of them, starting with Maria Bendeck,

who has already completed all six World Marathon

Majors four times and is now embarking on

her fifth round.

Who‘s that

running?

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly

when Maria Bendeck’s

marathon career began. She

had already registered for

her first one in 2012—and

she ran the full 42.195 kilometers

in New York. The

53-year-old from Florida

Texts: Tom Rottenberg

calls that race “the run of my

life.”

But even though tens of

thousands of marathoners

from around the world ran

alongside Maria Bendeck on

the official marathon day at

the official marathon time in

- 137 -

New York, it still wasn’t the

official Big Apple race: the

2012 event had been canceled

at short notice due to

Hurricane Sandy—for safety

reasons.

Experience community

beyond all boundaries

Nevertheless, tens of thousands

of runners from

around the world came to

Central Park and ran. Maria

Bendeck was among

them—and she still raves

about experiencing, for the

first time, the feeling of a

large running community

that is friendly and familylike,

but above all peaceful

across all ethnic, religious,

and ideological boundaries.

This 2012 run in New York

was also the “run of her

life” in another sense: a few

months before the race, the

then-40-year-old had been

diagnosed with thyroid cancer.

“My medical team practically

tailored the surgery

and treatment around the

race for me,” recalls the internist

about that dramatic

time. “But for me, it was: If

I can make it there, I’ll make

it anywhere. If I can start in

New York, I will survive.”

According to the entries in

the “official” marathon records,

Maria Bendeck’s marathon

career officially began

later—in Paris in 2015.

A few months after that,

she embarked on her “Big

Six” journey, collecting finisher

medals from the six

prestigious marathons in

New York, Boston, Chicago,

- 138 -

Maria Bendeck runs all over the

world—whether at the World Marathon

Majors or even at Disney World.

- 139 -

Tokyo, London, and Berlin—

this time officially in New

York. By 2018, the physician

had collected the medals

from all six races for the first

time—and soon after started

her second round. “The

first was for me. On the second,

I accompanied my sister.”

Today, the doctor—who

became the first woman to

serve on the board of medical

departments at Naples

Community Hospital (NCH)

in Florida—has completed

the “Majors” four times. In

Berlin, she is already running

her fifth round this year.

Inspiration and

motivation for others

Why does she do it? Of

course, because Maria Bendeck

loves running. But also

because she wants to inspire

others—whether as a

running journalist and guest

commentator for several U.S.

media outlets, or as an author

Maria Bendeck works as a doctor

and has also assisted in that role at

the London Marathon.

and coach for her two small

but highly engaged Instagram

communities. Her wellness

and health community

goes by the name “Running

with the Butterflies,” while

“Fabulous Friends Fellowship”

is dedicated to motivating

long-distance runners.

What today might seem like

a straightforward, health-focused

running career was

far from predetermined or

predictable. In school, Maria

Bendeck was bullied because

of her weight. Even in the

2000s, when she was already

working as a physician,

she regularly experienced

body shaming. It wasn’t until

2008 that she broke the

cycle; before that, her weight

sometimes reached up to

100 kilograms. “Only then

did I learn how to lose weight

sustainably and healthily

through a sensible combination

of structured exercise

and proper nutrition.”

Defying cancer with

a marathon

Running was part of that

plan. But a marathon? The

idea to actually tackle the

full long distance came from

a friend. Maria Bendeck signed

up for the New York

City Marathon, also to raise

funds for children in Grenada.

Then came the cancer

diagnosis. But not even the

hurricane could throw Maria

Bendeck off course.

She already felt that the marathon

experience and the

sense of community were

something truly special during

her first race in Paris in

2015: “I was feeling awful, I

- 141 -

was in pain, and a complete

stranger patted me on the

shoulder and said, ‘You can

do it!’” That shoulder pat

has since become her guiding

motif whenever Maria

writes or speaks about running—or

encourages fellow

runners along the way.

She has had plenty of opportunities

to do so. Maria

Bendeck has now completed

around 30 marathons:

four times the “Big Six,”

plus other marathons

in places

like Alaska, Disney

World, Rome,

and Athens. In addition, she

has twice managed the remarkable

feat of running

three of the “Big Six” within

just a few weeks (Berlin,

Boston, and London in

2021, and Berlin, London,

and Chicago in 2022). That

is impressive, even though

Maria is not a fast runner.

“I’ve only completed a marathon

in under six hours

once—that was in Tokyo in

2018.” She is perfectly fine

taking almost three times as

long as the winners: “I take

my time, take photos along

the way—but I always make

In Berlin ...

... Maria Bendeck especially loves running. She adores both the marathon

and the city itself: “Its history, museums, culture, and cuisine.”

sure not to get in anyone else’s

way,” says the internist.

With such times, Maria

Bendeck doesn’t meet

qualifying limits anywhere.

How does she still

manage to secure start

spots? Sometimes, persistence

meets luck: “I

won my first start spot

for Tokyo in the lottery.

And—against all odds—I

won the second one too.”

Earning a start spot

through charity

initiatives

In London, where it is particularly

difficult for non-Brits

to secure a start spot, her

passion for charity running

helped: “I raised funds for

charity organizations twice

and earned my start spot

that way.” Beyond that, the

53-year-old follows the

same “rules” as everyone

else: registering in time with

specialized travel providers.

“These running trips are exciting:

you meet all kinds of

people. But everyone shares

the same—or a very similar—dream.

I love marathon

running because of this sense

of community, and because

you get to see the world

while experiencing the positive

emotional, psychological,

and health benefits of

the sport. And because you

can raise money for important

causes while running.”

For Maria Bendeck, the finish

line is just one part of

the whole story.

- 144 -

Who‘s that running?

We introduce four of the more than 50,000 participants

at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON. One

of them: Lisa Wölken. For the Berliner, running is

simply part of life—which is why she kept - 146 running -

even when her baby bump was already round.

The

after-babycomeback

The Berlin-based food technologist Lisa Wölken

ran her first two marathons in the capital

in 2021 and 2022, completing one of them

in 3:25 hours. This year, the scientist aims to

beat that personal best—even though, after a

maternity break, this plan initially seemed anything

but easy.

Lisa Wölken is excited.

For the start. For the run.

For the atmosphere on and

along the course. For family,

friends, and acquaintances,

but also for complete

strangers who will cheer her

and more than 50,000 other

runners on September 21

in Berlin. Lisa Wölken looks

forward to every step, every

meter—but especially to the

Brandenburg Gate, to the final

hundred meters.

And she’s looking forward

to, “if all goes well,” checking

her watch and seeing

a new personal best—under

- 147 -

3:25 hours. She has already

run a marathon in that time.

And in Berlin, too.

That was in 2022, after she

had already run 3:30:10

hours there in 2021—her

first marathon. In 2022, a

friend accompanied her for

the first 30 kilometers. “He

made sure I didn’t go too

fast too early.” At kilometer

30, he said, “Now run!”

And Lisa ran. Relaxed, light,

weightless. Like in a dream.

Challenging restart after

the maternity break

And even though 3:25 hours

is a great time, the Berlin-based

scientist knows

she can do more. And she

wants to prove it—to the

whole world, but especially

to herself: “I’m ambitious.

Really ambitious.” But there’s

another factor: the food

technologist is coming off a

long break—the baby break.

And even though there’s no

better reason for not being

able to run, Lisa Wölken had

imagined her comeback to

be easier. Much easier. Also

more enjoyable and joyful.

And actually much sooner.

“I had a cesarean section.”

When she asked her midwife

three weeks later when she

could start running again,

the midwife looked at her

as if she had lost her mind:

“Maybe you can start with

light yoga in three months.”

Lisa Wölken is a scientist.

Facts, numbers, and proven

findings are the basis of her

thinking and work. But even

for scientists, there can be

a huge gap between “knowing

something” and “wanting

to accept it as true.”

- 148 -

Influenced by

Insta-moms

And when it comes to something

you love, the

temptation is strong to get

distracted from what you

actually know by fabulous

social media narratives:

“When you see those super-fit

influencer moms on

Instagram, jumping straight

from the delivery room into

their running shoes, it triggers

something.” Especially

if, like Lisa Wölken, you felt

strong and invincible before

giving birth. Just days before

labor began, she was

still giving her all in spinning

Shared joy is famously double

the joy. How wonderful that

Lisa’s friend Shanas loves

running just as much as she does.

- 149 -

classes. And shortly before

that, already heavily pregnant,

she was still running.

Easily. Of course, medically

“cleared.”

But let’s start at the beginning:

Lisa Wölken is 31 years

old. She researches and

experiments for her doctoral

thesis on “lab-grown meat,”

that is, meat cultivated outside

an animal’s body, in a

lab. As a child, she was in

an athletics club in Colo-

Lisa Wölken has always loved longdistance

running. And at the BMW

BERLIN-MARATHON, she enjoys it

more than ever.

gne. She ran well, though

“I was always last in the

sprints. But I always enjoyed

the 3-kilometer training

runs that the others hated.”

Long recovery

after giving birth

At 16, she spent a year living

in the USA. At high school

in Minnesota, Lisa discovered

a new running world

and ran distances of up to

five kilometers. Back in Europe—first

in Cologne, then

soon in Berlin—she continued

running longer distances.

During her studies.

When she started working

at the university. When she

met Thies there and later

married him. When she was

pregnant.

When Lisa’s son was born

in May 2024, “I had firmly

planned to run the Berlin

Anniversary Marathon

that autumn: it would have

been my third start at

home, my fourth marathon

overall.”

But the natural scientist

hadn’t counted on nature itself.

Her midwife knew why:

“Hardly anyone talks about

how long it takes for the

body to recover from childbirth

enough to run a marathon

again.” Lisa Wölken

had a cesarean: “It’s clear

that it takes longer then,”

she says—and emphasizes:

“But whether cesarean or

not, this topic is important. I

have no problem talking about

it.”

- 151 -

Because how long it can

take even for a healthy runner—who

has been highly

active her whole life up to

childbirth—to get back up

to speed surprises many. It’s

not just about endurance,

tendons, and muscle tissue:

mentally and emotionally, it

can take time to reconnect

with the former self in a way

that brings back the joy and

fun of every running step.

Not chasing

unrealistic dreams

Even after successful postnatal

recovery and the healing

of surgical scars, the

constant sleep deprivation

of a young mother often renders

any thought of sports or

training obsolete, yet this is

rarely discussed. But to avoid

misunderstandings: Lisa

Wölken would, of course,

never have reconsidered having

children because of this.

What is important, she emphasizes,

is openly talking about

the potential challenges

of returning to running: “Because

it’s important for every

woman not to chase unrealistic,

false, or even potentially

dangerous dreams.” Not

only the first steps back into

running, but the first weeks

of training “were pure horror.”

Lisa Wölken plans her training

herself. She began running

systematically again in

March. “I thought I would

collapse. I wasn’t the person

I used to be. I lagged behind

and felt grumpy afterward:

No, this is no fun at all.”

- 152 -

Since June, her love

for running has been

on the rise

Why didn’t Lisa just give up

running? “I have this love

for running very deep inside

me. And secretly, I probably

hoped it would resurface.”

Sometime in early June, the

knot finally untangled: the

joy returned, and her body

“remembered” what it once

did. Step by step, the dreary,

grumpy trudging turned

back into energetic, springy,

flying running. “It’s an

incredibly beautiful feeling.

It’s fulfilling to know: I’m

back.” With this comeback

feeling in her mind, heart,

and legs, Lisa Wölken

knows that September 21

can only be a day of celebration

and cheering. And

what seemed impossible

in March is now within reach

again: breaking 3:25.

Why is that important? The

young mother smiles: “That

would be my qualifying time

for Boston. I’ve run twice

in Berlin and once in London.

Boston and New York

are still on my wish list.”

The Dream of the

Berlin Jubilee Club

But something else is even

more important to her: “I

love Berlin,” she says, “that’s

why I want to join the Jubilee

Club here.” To do so, after

her third marathon in Berlin

on September 21, she still

needs to finish seven more

times in the capital. And

that is a very realistic dream

for a 31-year-old.

- 153 -

When

grandpa

chases

his

grandson

- 154 -

Werner Stöcker is 85 years old, and his grandson

Keanu is 21. The two will start the BMW

Berlin Marathon together, but then face off in

a fierce race, as they have made a bet: Keanu

must cross the finish line at least one hour

ahead of Werner.

Werner and Keanu Stöcker,

aged 85 and 21,

have a bet: Keanu must finish

the BMW BERLIN-MA-

RATHON at least one hour

ahead of Werner Stöcker.

Normally, that should be a

given. After all, it’s hardly

surprising that a healthy,

athletic 21-year-old would

run faster than an 85-yearold.

It also makes sense that

the younger runner’s lead

over the older one should

grow with the distance

and duration of the race.

So, is the bet serious? Yes—

because even at 85, Werner

Stöcker is posting times that

are out of reach for many

younger runners. The prize:

two cases of beer. The

bet is especially motivating

for grandson Keanu. “Until

the bet, I was lazy with

training and only ran when I

Who‘s that running?

We introduce four of the more than 50,000 participants in the BMW

BERLIN-MARATHON. Two of them: Werner and Keanu Stöcker from Siegerland.

Recently, the 85-year-old, together with his grandson who is 64 years

younger, climbed the Zugspitze. To prepare for the BMW BERLIN-MARA-

THON, which they plan to run “against each other,” they ascended Germany’s

highest mountain, standing at - 2,962 155 -meters, together.

felt like it,” he says. Now he

trains systematically, knows

his potential and limits, and

confidently claims he is

“pretty sure” he can complete

his first marathon in

3:11 hours—that’s 4:31 per

kilometer. For a recreational

runner, that is quite an ambitious

goal. But that’s what

he has to achieve to win the

bet.

Because Werner Stöcker, a

former plumber from Erndtebrück,

a town of 7,000 in the

Siegen-Wittgenstein district

(North Rhine-Westphalia),

completed the Berlin Jubilee

Marathon 2024 in 4:11:19

Running? Werner Stöcker simply

enjoys it. And that’s why he keeps

going, breaking record after record.

- 156 -

hours – averaging about 5:57

minutes per kilometer. And

this was neither a timing error

nor a one-time fluke: two years

earlier, the running retiree

had been nine seconds faster

in Valencia than in Berlin.

Running a marathon in

4:11 hours at age 85

And the grandson knows

that grandpa hasn’t slowed

down a bit since September

2024: This past

February, Werner Stöcker

completed a 50-kilometer

race in Kraichgau, Baden,

in 5:21:27 hours. A world

record for this distance in

his age group. And Werner

Stöcker said afterward: “It

wasn’t difficult at all.”

Keanu knows this. He also

knows about the other seemingly

incredible records

and world records his grandfather

has practically “collected

on the run” in marathons,

mountain races, and

ultras—and is still collecting.

Not just because he’s read

Werner’s Wikipedia page

and countless press articles

celebrating the speedy man,

but because he regularly

accompanies his grandfather

on these runs, supporting

and cheering him

on. It was last year in Berlin

that they made the bet.

Grandfather and

grandson share a

close bond

Keanu and Werner are very

close—closer than most

grandfathers and their

grandchildren. And it’s not

just because they often start

training runs together, only

- 157 -

to run separately afterward.

Werner and Ingeborg Stöcker

have three children and

five grandchildren. One of

them, Nina, is no stranger

in the running world: in

2014, she became the German

U23 champion over the

half marathon distance. But

Keanu has a different story.

He has been living with his

grandparents for over nine

years and, like Werner once

did, works as a sanitary and

heating technician. They

also usually go on vacation

together.

Werner Stöcker ran his first

marathon in 2011, in Messina,

Sicily. In 3:57:13 hours,

he confidently won the age

group for over-65s. But of

course, that wasn’t the start

of his running or athletic career.

“I’ve been running since

I was a child; it has always

been a huge joy for me,”

says the runner, born in November

1939. Stöcker can

even still show certificates

from his very first competitions

in the early 1950s. “I’ve

just always kept at it. For

me, it was always: the longer,

the better.” Why? “Long

distances aren’t as hectic

as a 5000-meter race.”

Ran around the

world twice

In 1961 and 1962, he took

part in the legendary “Vasaloppet”

in Sweden, a

90-kilometer cross-country

ski race. Today, the race

attracts over 15,000 participants.

Adding up all of

his cross-country skiing

kilometers, he has covered

more than 100,000

- 158 -

km—over twice around the

equator. But Werner is also

a marksman and combined

these two passions as a

biathlete. And as if that weren’t

enough, the man from

Erndtebrück is also a mountaineer

and long-distance

hiker: together with his wife

Ingeborg, he treated himself

to a multi-week trekking

tour in the Himalayas for his

70th birthday—7,000-meter

peaks included.

Listing all the achievements,

records, and world records

of this sprightly athlete—

whether over 50 or 100 kilometers,

12- or 24-hour

Outdoor activity seems to run in the

Stöcker family’s veins—whether it’s

running or climbing in the mountains,

like Keanu Stöcker here.

- 159 -

races, or various ultra and

ultra-trail events—would

take too long. But each and

every one of these awe-inspiring

accomplishments

raises one big question:

How does he do it? What

is Werner Stöcker doing

right to be able, well into

his 80s, to effortlessly perform

feats that others, even

at 30 with years of intense

training, cannot achieve?

Good genes and

always staying active

The runner laughs: “Part of

it is probably in the genes:

my mother was still mowing

the lawn by hand at 85.”

That he has never been sick

in his entire life—“not even

a real cold and never a single

blister on my foot”—is

“of course luck. A gift.” Added

to that is listening to his

own body: “I don’t follow

a training plan; I run when

and how it’s enjoyable.” And

on top of that comes the

boundless joy of movement:

“I still benefit today from always

being active.”

Running 24 hours

on just two bananas

As a trained (cross-country

skiing and biathlon) coach,

Werner Stöcker knows that

much of what works for him

wouldn’t necessarily work

for others: “For a 24-hour

run, I need two bananas, a

muesli bar, and tea. Nothing

else. That works for me. But

of course, that’s not general

advice or something that applies

to everyone.”

One thing, however, might

be transferable: “I’ve stayed

at roughly the same level for

years. Maybe it’s because I

- 160 -

run according to my mood.

Others in my age group

hit the track and train for

speed—and over time, they

slow down. My guess: At our

age, that gives you less than

it costs.”

And Berlin? Grandfather

Stöcker is optimistic about

winning the bet. “Keanu

better be ready: I’m ambitious.

When I run, I want

to reach my goal.” But,

Werner emphasizes, that

only applies up to the finish

line: “If someone else

wins, I’m fine with that. In

the race, I fight—but afterwards,

I congratulate and

celebrate with and for everyone

ahead of me. That’s

what sport is all about.”

Running for beer ...

... that’s what 85-year-old Werner Stöcker

and his 21-year-old grandson Keanu are

doing at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON

on September 21. Keanu will get two

crates of beer if he crosses the finish line

at the Brandenburg Gate one hour ahead

of his grandfather. But no matter the outcome,

the two will surely celebrate their

finish together in Berlin after the race.

Must

Runs

by

The SwimRun at Rheinsberg

Castle takes participants on a

stunning journey through nature

– with plenty of running and the

occasional swim. The 2026 edition

will take place on July 5.

Berlin

& Brandenburg

Old Gate.

MARCH 28, 2026

The day before the GENE-

RALI BERLIN HALF MA-

RATHON, runners have

the chance to experience

a historic route on an iconic

course. After completing

the final 1,609 meters

of the original track

and passing through the

Brandenburg Gate just

before the finish, you’ll be

among the very first finishers

of the BERLIN MILE.

Distance

1.609 km | running

New Mile!

Half the distance.

All the fun.

MARCH 29, 2026

A spectacular season opener on a

sightseeing course past many of

Berlin’s landmarks, finishing right

behind the Brandenburg Gate.

Just as captivating as the BMW

BERLIN-MARATHON – only

shorter!

Distances

21.0975 km | running, skating, wheelchair, hand cycling

500 m/1,000 m | bambini run

Full Respect!

Move for change

Germany’s largest women’s

run puts charity at

the forefront. Running for

a good cause and raising

funds for women with

cancer in need is its mission.

At the same time,

14,000 participants celebrate

their party of the

year in the heart of Berlin.

MAY 16, 2026

Distances

5 km, 10 km | running, walking, nordic walking

At the largest

women’s run!

In a team.

MAY 21, 2026

In a relay quartet on a beautiful

loop through historic Brandenburg

an der Havel. The atmospheric

TEAM event in early summer.

Distances

4x5 km | relay

ca. 400 m/800 m | bambini run

To the finish!

The fastest

night.

Berlin’s fastest night is the highlight

event in the middle of summer.

Samba bands, cheering zones, and

enthusiastic fans turn Ku‘Damm in

City West into a vibrant party zone.

The climax is running through the

glowing finish arch at the Kaiser

Wilhelm Memorial Church.

SUMMER 2026

Distances

5 km | running

10 km | running and inline skating

From all of Berlin!

SCC EVENTS

AT A GLANCE

December 31, 2025

BERLIN NEW YEAR‘S EVE RUN

January 1, 2026

BERLIN NEW YEAR‘S RUN

March 28, 2026

BERLIN MILE

March 29, 2026

GENERALI BERLIN HALF MARATHON

May 16, 2026

VITAMIN WELL WOMEN‘S RACE BERLIN

May 21, 2026

STWB TEAM RELAY BRANDENBURG

June 2-4, 2026

BERLINER WASSERBETRIEBE

5X5 KM TEAM-RELAY

June 27, 2026

HIKING HERO

July 5, 2026

SWIMRUN RHEINSBERG

Summer 2026

ADIDAS RUNNERS CITY NIGHT

August 30, 2026

DIE GENERALPROBE

September 27, 2026

BMW BERLIN MARATHON

- 168 -

Run fast.

Recover

faster.

Mit BLACKROLL® – dem offiziellen

Recovery Partner des BMW BERLIN-

MARATHONS.

Sichere dir

deinen kostenlosen

Recovery Guide

for Runners

blackroll.com/de/recoveryguide

Last Day.

Last Run.

Last Fun.

On the last day of the year, lace up your running

shoes once more and celebrate the year’s

end together with many other running enthusiasts:

that’s what the Berlin New Year’s Eve

Run is all about. Fantastic costumes, breathtaking

views over the city from Drachenfliegerberg,

and a sweet reward at the finish make

this run great fun for the whole family.

December 31

Whether as a sporting

finale to the year or

a relaxed new beginning,

with or without a costume

– anyone who wants to experience

a colorful and atmospheric

running highlight

on the last day of the year is

in exactly the right place in

Berlin, at one of Germany’s

largest New Year’s Eve runs.

In Berlin’s Grunewald, you

can really go out with a

bang. Start and finish are

at the venerable Mommsenstadion,

a venue with a

long tradition in the history

of the organizer, Sport-

Club Charlottenburg e.V.

Four different distances

are available, with the longest

race covering ten kilometers

and taking runners

over Teufelsberg and

Drachenfliegerberg, whose

summits offer breathtaking

views of Berlin’s skyline.

Every year, more and more

runners line up in costume.

The most creative outfits

are selected and honored

in an exclusive award ceremony.

At the finish, a special

Berlin treat awaits all

finishers. With the first bite

of a Berliner Pfannkuchen

(jam-filled doughnut), the

countdown to the big New

Year’s Eve party can begin

in style.

More and more

international guests

The Berlin New Year’s Eve

Run is becoming increasingly

international. The

special thrill of combining a

city trip to the trendy metropolis

on the Spree with a

run up Berlin’s hills at year’s

end has a welcome side effect:

more and more tourists

- 172 -

Fun, a wonderful view of

the capital, and a tasty

reward at the finish:

that’s what awaits all

runners at the Berlin

New Year’s Eve Run in

the Grunewald, also

known as the Pfannkuchen

Run.

Here it’s not just

about fast times

and good placements,

but above

all about having

lots of fun! Crazy,

creative, and funny

costumes have

long been a staple

of the Berlin New

Year’s Eve Run. To

celebrate this, the

best outfits are

selected and honored

in an exclusive

award ceremony

after the race.

- 173 -

MORE

INFORMATION

are joining in when Berlin’s

Grunewald is awakened

from its winter slumber

by running enthusiasts in

the final hours of the year.

Be part of it and get yourself

in top shape for the last

night of the year!

- 174 -

The nature gives us lasting

refreshment.

We preserve them.

VILSA. This is my nature.

When the starting gun fires on September 20, the Straße des

17. Juni transforms into a high-speed arena. Professionals

and recreational skaters set off shoulder to shoulder, rolling

through the capital and experiencing a race unlike any other in

the world. Berlin is not just a stage – it is the highlight of the

inline skating season.

Adrenaline

on wheels

Last year, Bart Swings cruised to a

commanding victory. This year, he

has the chance to celebrate his tenth

triumph in Berlin.

Course Records Men: Bart Swings 56:46 (2022) | Women: Maira Arias 1:06:35 (2017)

– 178 –

Champions

up close

Once again, the top stars

of the scene are coming

to Berlin. And this, despite

the fact that the Inline Skating

World Championships

are taking place at the same

time. The fact that so many

of the sport’s biggest names

have nevertheless chosen to

compete at the BMW BER-

LIN-MARATHON speaks

volumes: a victory in the

German capital is a badge of

honor that everyone desires.

It is no surprise, then, that

this year too a dazzling elite

field will be at the start in

Berlin – together with many

fitness skaters who will get

closer to the stars than ever.

Bart Swings (Powerslide

Vesmaco World Team):

The Belgian is a regular on

the podium in Berlin and an

Olympic champion in speed

skating. His name stands for

perfection and an unrelenting

will to win. In 2025, he

could claim his tenth victory

in Berlin – a milestone in the

history of the inline marathon.

Felix Rijhnen (Powerslide


The German made history in

2019 when he became the

first German ever to win the

BMW BERLIN-MARATHON

Inline Skating. A world

champion in 2017 and a fix-

– 179 –

ture in the international elite

for years, he now has home

advantage and thousands of

fans behind him as he aims

to reach the very top once

more.

Jason Suttels (Powerslide

Vesmaco World Team): The

young Belgian is considered

one of the greatest talents in

inline sports. Two years ago,

he already crowned himself

winner of the BMW BER-

LIN-MARATHON – and he is

eager to repeat that success

in 2025. Dynamic, tactically

clever, and lightning-fast,

he is once again among the

hottest contenders.

Nolan Beddiaf (Manao FR

Skate World Team): The

Frenchman is famous for his

irresistible finishing attacks.

When the race comes down

to the line, he is the man for

the explosive sprint to victory.

Strong women’s field

Just like in the men’s race, the

women’s line-up is world-class:

Noraly Berber Vonk

(SPSPSK World Team):

The Dutch skater and defending

champion from

2024 wants to repeat her

triumph and write history

once again.

Keily Delgado (SPSPSK

World Team): The Colombian

stormed to 7th place last

year – and has set her sights

high for 2025.

Martina Pita (KA-LI Skate

Team): The 9th-place finisher

in 2024 brings South

American fire to Berlin.

Josie Hofmann (Powerslide


Germany’s top skater competes

in front of her home

crowd – an emotional race

for both her and her fans.

Noraly Berber Vonk

aims to repeat her

victory from last year.

The Grand Finale –

World Inline Cup &

German Inline Cup

The BMW BERLIN-MARA-

THON is more than just a single

race: it is where the final

decisions are made in the German

Inline Cup (GIC) and the

World Inline Cup (WIC). For

the world’s best, Berlin is the

all-decisive finale – and for all

participants, it is the chance to

be part of this great story.

One race –

one community

There are few sporting events

where the boundaries blur like

this: world champions skate

side by side with recreational

skaters through Berlin. From

the very first meter, you can

feel it: here, it’s about the experience,

about togetherness –

and about the goosebump moment

when you sprint through

the Brandenburg Gate to the

finish. Also on board, of course,

is the Rollnacht Düsseldorf

crew, bringing motivation and

energy to the back of the pack.

Young talents

with speed

At KidsSkating on Saturday afternoon

on the Straße des 17.

Juni, the youngest skaters take

over the marathon course. Different

distances, a real race feeling

– and plenty of cheers from

fans along the course.

Party, trophies,

and pure emotion

The celebration continues after

the race: at the legendary Marathon

Party at Kosmos Berlin, the

winners as well as the champions

of GIC and WIC are honored.

An evening full of emotions,

music, and unforgettable

moments – the perfect way to

round off a unique day.

Your race. Your Berlin.

Your moment.

Whether world star or recreational

athlete: the BMW BER-

LIN-MARATHON Inline Skating

is more than a competition – it is

an experience of a lifetime. Anyone

who has ever been part of

it knows: Berlin rolls differently.

rollerblade.com

born in 1980

Who said you have to run, to run a marathon?

See you at BMW BERLIN-MARATHON Inlineskating

High Speed &

Top Times

The start of the wheelchair athletes and

handbikers, just ahead of the impressive

field of more than 50,000 runners, will be

one of the true highlights of the marathon

weekend. High speed and top times

can be expected when these world-class

athletes take on the classic distance of

42.195 kilometers. Among them are many

champions from previous years.

For years, Marcel Hug

has dominated the

races of the Abbott

World Marathon Majors

and once again ranks

among the top favorites

in Berlin this year.

– 186 –

Even before the runners

take to the course, race

day offers a true highlight:

when the athletes in the racing

wheelchair and handbike

categories set off. High

speed and top times can be

expected as the world-class

elite tackle the classic distance

of 42.195 kilometers.

Some familiar faces will be

lining up once again.

For Swiss exceptional athlete

Marcel Hug, Berlin has by

now become something like

a home course. The racing

wheelchair professional from

Pfyn in Thurgau (Switzerland)

has dominated the races

of the Abbott World Marathon

Majors for years and

is one of the top favorites for


THON 2025. His strongest

competitor is likely to be the

Dutchman Jetze Plat, who

has already been the fastest

handbiker in Berlin four times.

Hug has won the overall title

of the Abbott World Marathon

Majors six times in seven

scoring years since 2016. In

the ongoing 2024/25 series,

Hug leads with 58 points

after victories in Boston and

London, ahead of Japan’s

Manuela Schär has already won six

times in Berlin. This year, a seventh

victory could follow.

Berlin is his city and the marathon his race. Native Berliner Vico

Merklein has already been the fastest here seven times.

Suzuki with 33 and Daniel

Romanchuk from the United

States of America with 25

points. Suzuki, however, will

not be competing in Berlin.

The results of the TCS Sydney

Marathon at the end of

August are not included here,

as the race took place after

the editorial deadline.

Among the women, Switzerland’s

Manuela Schär,

a six-time BMW BERLIN-

MARATHON champion, is

one of the top favorites in the

international field, especially

as her compatriot Catherine

Debrunner will not be at the

start. Debrunner had won the

last two Abbott WMM series,

while Schär had taken three

consecutive titles from 2017

to 2019. One of Schär’s strongest

competitors is American

Tatyana McFadden, one of

the pioneers of the sport, who

claimed the Abbott WMM series

in 2016/17.

In the men’s handbike field,

two BMW BERLIN-MARA-

– 188 –

Francesca Porcellato is world-class in many sports: in handcycling as well

as in para cross-country skiing and para cycling.

THON legends are among

the favorites: Switzerland’s

Heinz Frei, for many years one

of the world’s best wheelchair

racers, won 20 times in

the wheelchair category between

1985 and 2013 before

switching to handbikes in

2021 at the age of 67.

Berlin native Vico Merklein

has consistently placed

among the leaders since

2006. In Berlin, the 48-year-old

has celebrated seven

victories between 2010

and 2024. Also in contention

could be France’s Joseph

Fritsch, who boasts a personal

best of 60:05 minutes

and, at 27, is the youngest in

the field.

In the women’s handbike

race, last year’s runner-up

Julia Dierkesmann (winner

in 2023) and 2022 champion

Katrin Möller (second in

2023) are seen as the main

challengers to Italy’s Francesca

Porcellato, last year’s

winner.

– 189 –

This is

where the

music plays

Music plays a central role at the BMW

BERLIN-MARATHON every year. At the

51st edition of the race, the 70 acts along

the course will be organized by a new team.

And for the first time, wearing headphones

is officially allowed.

Text: Finn Lenzen

- 191 -

The muscles burn, the

breath grows shallow, a

feeling of strain and fatigue

spreads. By kilometer 35

at the latest, the marathon

gets truly tough. But then:

the distant beat of a drum,

the delicate notes of an

electric guitar – and the closer

you get, the louder the

music becomes. A wave of

motivation rushes through

the body, new energy is unleashed,

and suddenly each

step feels a little lighter.

Bass, guitar, drums, vocals

– all performed live along

the marathon course.

What might sound like an

exaggeration – since music

at major events usually

means just a DJ playing the

latest charts – becomes

reality every year at the

BMW BERLIN-MARA-

THON. When, on the last

weekend in September,

tens of thousands of runners

race, jog, or walk

through Berlin, a second

marathon takes place at the

same time – not on the road,

but on the roadside.

An Extra Dose

of Motivation

A marathon of sound – with

drums, brass, guitar riffs,

jazz chords, and samba

rhythms – provides that little

extra push of motivation on

the long road to the finish.

Berlin runs. Berlin resounds.

Live music has long since

become an essential part of

Berlin’s marathon culture.

And so, even those wearing

headphones can’t miss

the roughly 70 musical acts

that will once again bring

energy and atmosphere to

the 42.195-kilometer route

of the BMW BERLIN-MA-

RATHON 2025.

- 192 -

OFFICIALLY ALLOWED FOR THE

FIRST TIME: OPEN-EAR HEAD

PHONES DURING THE RACE

When it comes to individual motivation through personal music, podcasts, or radio, this

year’s BMW BERLIN-MARATHON is taking a big step forward: For the first time in

the history of the race, open-ear headphones – the kind Berlin Marathon legend Eliud

Kipchoge also swears by – are officially permitted. This lifts a decades-long restriction

that had officially banned listening to music during the race, even though it was often

tolerated and rarely sanctioned.

With the development of open-ear technologies – from brands such as Shokz – the

safety risks of closed systems have been significantly reduced. Runners using headphones

that transmit sound via bone conduction keep their ears open and remain

aware of surrounding noises. By allowing such headphones during the race, the BMW

BERLIN-MARATHON, together with its partner Shokz, is following an international

trend and sending a strong signal for safety, inclusion, and a more intense running

experience.

Christian Jost, CEO of SCC EVENTS, the company that organizes the BMW BERLIN-

MARATHON, sees the decision as an important step forward: “It creates clarity, and

that’s a good thing. No one needs to justify themselves anymore. The significance of

music while running is much greater today than in the past, and accordingly its popularity

has grown.”

John Kunkeler Steps

Down, Council Takes

Over

What many don’t realize:

the musical euphoria along

the route is not only infectious,

but also a logistical feat

– and since this year, it is in

new hands.

Since the mid-1990s, the

name John Kunkeler has

been inseparably linked to

the marathon’s musical concept.

He elevated the event’s

live music support to a globally

unique level – at times,

more than 90 different bands

and music groups played

along the route. And all that

in addition to his many other

tasks, such as official course

measurer and jazz club owner.

This year, he is stepping

back from the musical side

of the event and handing

over the reins.

The Berlin State Music Council

is now taking on the planning

and selection of the live

concerts along the course.

Björn Kasan and the entire Berlin

State Music Council are now coordinating

the 70 music acts that will

create the atmosphere at the BMW

BERLIN-MARATHON.

www.berliner-frauenlauf.de/en

“These are certainly big

shoes to fill. What John

Kunkeler has achieved at


THON is truly incredible,”

says Björn Kasan, Project

Manager for Instrumental

Amateur Music at the Berlin

State Music Council.

Music and Sport as

the Glue of Society

However, he does not see

himself as a direct successor,

emphasizing instead:

“It’s really the entire State

Music Council that is taking

on this task.” Their mission

is to send a clear message:

amateur music is a vital part

of society and social cohesion

– just like sport. “When

John reached out to us, it

immediately made sense.

Many of the bands that play

at the marathon are amateur

musicians – and those are

exactly the people we want

to support.”

Musical Diversity,

Heard Along the Way

But what exactly is amateur

music? It means people

who make music in their free

time – in orchestras, bands,

or simply at home – without

earning a living from it. From

music students to senior

ensembles, it encompasses

everything. The State Music

Council sees it as much more

than a hobby: amateur music

fosters encounters, strengthens

social bonds, and is

an important part of cultural

life. During the “music marathon”

along the course, a

part of this musical diversity

becomes audible to all.

- 196 -

For the perfect atmosphere, the right bands need to play in the right spots

– just like here at the ‘Wilder Eber.’ At the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, this

is no coincidence, but carefully orchestrated.

“Our work begins with driving

the course to see where

a band or music group

can even be placed,” explains

Björn Kasan. That

requires not just enough

space, but also electricity

for instruments and amplifiers,

as well as protection

in case of bad weather.

“We also have to make sure

we don’t get in anyone else’s

way, like sponsors or

local residents.” And that’s

just the beginning: noise

regulations, official permits,

- 197 -

selecting the bands – it’s a

true organizational marathon.

Variety in

Styles is Key

The sequence of bands is

also crucial. “If you pass ten

kilometers of just drumming

groups or just rock bands, it

can get a bit monotonous,”

Björn smiles. That’s why the

planning always emphasizes

variety. A drum ensemble

here, a rock band there, then

a brass group, followed by a

jazz ensemble – each tailored

to the local setting. “This colorful

mix of musical cultures

also reflects Berlin’s diversity,”

adds Christina Bylow,

Head of Press and Public

Relations at the State Music

Council. “From techno clubs

to zither ensembles – Berlin

really has it all. We want

to bring that Berlin identity

to the marathon course.”

An Invisible Force That

Makes Legs Lighter

Thanks to the State Music

Council, music will accompany

runners on every kilometer

of the marathon – sometimes

soft, sometimes

powerful, sometimes rhythmic,

sometimes stirring. Like

an invisible force, it makes

tired legs feel lighter again

and lifts the mood along the

course – with rhythm, passion,

and the full spectrum of

Berlin’s soundscape.

- 198 -

Your run. Your career. Your future.

Take the first step – for your run and your career.

Get started now and discover the opportunities that await you.

Your run is just the beginning – we will shape your future together!

Apply today and become part of our success story!

karriere.messe-berlin.de

EQUIPMENT

Thirty-five years ago, East and West Germany

were reunited. And just before reunification

was officially completed on October 3, 1990,

the Berlin Marathon passed through the Brandenburg

Gate for the very first time. adidas is

using this anniversary as an opportunity to present

its collection for the 51st BMW BERLIN-

MARATHON under the motto ‘We run united.’

EQUIPMENT

We Run

United

- 200 -

On September 21, when

the fastest of the fast

once again chase victory or

records at the BMW BER-

LIN-MARATHON, adidas

will provide them with the

right footwear. The Adizero

Adios Pro Evo 2, the successor

to the shoe in which

Tigst Assefa set the then

world record and Amanal

Petros broke the German

record in 2023, is being

launched. But adidas, the

sporting goods manufacturer

from Herzogenaurach,

has more to offer than just

the professionals: ambitious

runners of all levels as

well as recreational athletes

will find something, too. In

addition to the right shoes,

adidas is releasing a special

BMW BERLIN-MARA-

THON collection. This year’s

collection is inspired by the

35th anniversary of the reunification

of East and West

Germany, with the slogan

“We run united” featured on

every product – underlining

that, for adidas, all runners

are equally important, no

matter if they finish the marathon

in two hours or six.

Chasing Records with

the Adios Pro Evo 2

But let’s start with the Adizero

Adios Pro Evo 2, the

shoe that many top athletes

will be wearing at the

BMW BERLIN-MARATHON

2025: revolutionary. Ultralight.

Built for records. That

was the reputation of the

adidas Adizero Adios Evo

Pro when it was launched

in 2023. Racing carbon shoes

were already lightweight

at the time, but the Evo Pro

pushed the boundaries even

further with its mere 138

grams. It was 40 percent

- 201 -

lighter than other already

light shoes. Combined with

its optimal cushioning and

propulsion features, it helped

athletes to new records.

In 2023, Amanal Petros

became the first German

to run a marathon in under

2:05 hours, clocking 2:04:58

and setting a new German

record – which Samuel Fitwi

lowered by one second

last year. In the same race,

Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa also

shattered the women’s

world record with the adidas

Adizero Adios Evo Pro,

running 2:11:53 – 2 minutes

and 11 seconds faster than

any woman before her. Her

ADIDAS ADIZERO ADIOS PRO EVO 2

Like the Adizero Adios Pro Evo, its successor – the Adizero Adios

Pro Evo 2 – is built for records. A little more cushioning and propelling

Lightstrike Pro Evo foam in the midsole, while keeping the

weight just as low, is the winning formula of these super racers.

- 202 -

WE RUN UNITED

performance has so far only

been surpassed by Kenya’s

Ruth Chepngetich, who ran

2:09:56 in Chicago in 2024

before being suspended on

doping allegations.

More Cushioning,

More Propulsion

This year, the second edition

of the record-breaking shoe

has been released: the adidas

Adizero Adios Pro Evo

2, which, like the original

model, weighs in at just 138

grams. Overall, small adjustments

have been made

– but with a big impact. The

forefoot stack height has

been increased by 3 mm

to 36 mm. At the heel, the

shoe now features 39 mm

of Lightstrike Pro Evo foam,

designed to boost energy

return by another five percent.

ADIDAS COLLECTION FOR THE

BMW BERLIN-MARATHON

ORDER

HERE

AVAILABLE AT THE MARATHON

EXPO AND ON ADIDAS.COM

Inside the sole are the proven

Energy Rods: unlike other

brands that use a carbon

plate, adidas relies on

carbon rods – the so-called

Energy Rods – that mimic

the shape of the metatarsal

bones to ensure an optimal

rolling motion. The outsole

rubber, as with its predecessor,

is extremely thin.

To give runners more grip

nonetheless, it now comes

with a structured grid pattern.

And to keep the adidas

Adizero Adios Pro Evo

ADIZERO ADIOS PRO 4: WE RUN UNITED

The adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 is the perfect choice for ambitious

runners who want to push their limits in competition or speed

sessions. Developed with and for world-class athletes, this carbon

racer is designed for anyone chasing personal bests – whether in

the marathon, half marathon, or over 10 kilometers. With its unique

balance of low weight, propulsion, and comfort, the Adizero Adios

Pro 4 becomes an absolute racing machine and matches perfectly

with the entire “We Run United” collection.

WE RUN UNITED

ADIDAS COLLECTION FOR THE

BMW BERLIN-MARATHON

2 from becoming heavier

despite the added sole material,

the shoe’s upper has

been made ultra-thin – and

even lighter.

Gear for All

Berlin Volunteers

In addition to outfitting the

top athletes, adidas also

equips the many volunteers

at the BMW BERLIN-MA-

RATHON as part of a partnership

that has lasted for

more than 30 years, ensuring

a unified appearance

on and off the course. In addition,

there is the exclusive

adidas BMW BERLIN-MA-

RATHON collection, featuring

premium performance

apparel and running shoes.

“We run united”

on all products

This year’s collection is inspired

by the 35th anniver-

HIER ORDER

BESTELLEN

HERE

AVAILABLE AT THE MARATHON

EXPO AND ON ADIDAS.COM

sary of the reunification of

East and West Germany.

For many, the 1990 Berlin

Marathon was a very special

race, as the course led

through both East and West

Berlin for the first time. This

spirit is reflected in the slogan

“We run united”, which

is featured on all products.

The range includes shortand

long-sleeve shirts,

tank tops, sports bras, and

jackets, as well as tights,

shorts, and cropped leggings.

Accessories such as

caps, socks, arm warmers,

and a backpack in trendy

colors are also part of the

collection.

Four Shoe Models

in Berlin Style

In addition to the wide range

of apparel, the adidas Adizero

Adios Pro 4 is also part

of the collection. Alongside

the adidas Adizero Adios

Pro Evo 2, it is currently the

brand’s fastest running shoe

with the three stripes. The

Adizero Boston 13 and the

Supernova Rise 2 are also

available in matching colors.

- 206 -

NACHWUCHS

ALL

R5K-

INFO

In 2024, Blanka Dörfel from the Marathon Team Berlin

was the fastest runner over five kilometers at the R5K race

from Potsdamer Platz to the Brandenburg Gate. On Marathon

Saturday at 11:50 a.m., her successor will be sought.

Talent Show at the

Brandenburg Gate

Big stage for the next generation of runners: During the marathon

weekend, Berlin will also host the grand finale of the R5K Tour for

running talents in Germany. The five-kilometer race, which will start

at Potsdamer Platz on Saturday at 11:50 a.m., marks the conclusion

of a series of five five-kilometer races in five German cities that

made up the 2025 R5K Tour: Dresden, Hanover, Paderborn, Hamburg,

and finally the grand finale at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON.

R5K: THE

RACES 2025

NTT DATA Citylauf Dresden March 23

ADAC Marathon Hannover April 5

Paderborner Osterlauf April 19

Barmer Alsterlauf Hamburg September 7

BMW BERLIN-MARATHON September 20

Vanessa Mikitenko is the star of

the 2025 R5K series. In Bergen,

Norway, she earned a piece of

hardware far more valuable than

the R5K medal this summer: she

won silver in the 5000 meters at

the U23 European Championships.

The R5K Tour is an initiative of

On the eve of the 51st

BMW BERLIN-MARA-

THON, young running talents

will once again be given the

biggest stage German athletics

has to offer. R5K is the

name of the race held over

the final five kilometers of

the original marathon course

between Potsdamer Platz

and the Brandenburg Gate.

Several promising German

athletes will be at the start.

Eligible to compete in the

five-kilometer race of the

R5K Tour are young talents

between the ages of 15 and

22. In the U20 and U23 categories

for athletes aged 18

to 22 – that means the 2003

to 2007 birth years in 2025 –

the overall standings across

the five races will decide prize

money and subsidies for

training camps provided by

the German Athletics Association

(DLV). Runners born

in 2008 and 2009 (U18) may

also start in the U20 category

if they are capable of completing

five kilometers faster

than 22 minutes. The series

was jointly initiated in 2023

by the DLV and German

Road Races (GRR). GRR, as

the association of major road

running events in Germanspeaking

countries, serves

as the voice of road running.

The spotlight in 2025 is

especially on Vanessa Mikitenko.

After her R5K victory

in Paderborn, the daughter

of marathon legend Irina Mikitenko

is the favorite for the

overall U23 title. However,

at the time this magazine

OVERALL STANDING

BEFORE THE FINAL*

U23 men

Jakob Dieterich (Frankfurt Athletics) 28:42

14:26 in Dresden | 14:16 in Paderborn

Christoph Schrick (Königsteiner LV) 28:56

14:41 in Hanover | 14:15 in Paderborn

Felix Ebel (Braunschweiger Laufclub) 29:27


U23 women

Vanessa Mikitenko (SSC Hanau-Rodenbach) 15:40

15:40 in Paderborn

Pia Schlattmann (LG Brillux Münster) 16:15

16:15 in Paderborn

Nele Heymann (LG Brillux Münster) 16:32

16:32 in Paderborn

U20 men

Tristan Kaufhold (SSC Hanau-Rodenbach) 29:12


Tom Stephan (LV Lilienthal) 30:19


Aaron Hermenau (Laufteam Kassel) 30:37


U20 women

Johanna Ewert (Hannover 96) 35:17


Selina Planken (Dresdner SC 1898) 35:28

17:54 in Dresden | 17:34 in Hanover

Maja Schmidt (Läuferbund Schwarzenberg) 35:35

17:55 in Dresden | 17:40 in Hanover

* Status before the race on September 7

in Hamburg (after editorial deadline)

Christoph Schrick has a good

chance of once again becoming

the U23 overall winner of the

R5K Tour, as he did in 2024.

went to press, she still had to

compete in the R5K race in

Hamburg on September 7 to

keep her chance for the overall

victory alive. To finish on

top of the overall standings,

athletes must not only run in

Berlin but also have completed

two races beforehand.

The final ranking is determined

by combining the Berlin

result with the two fastest

times from the previous R5K

races (the 2+1 rule).

That Vanessa Mikitenko is

the favorite is undisputed.

“She is the overwhelming

favorite and runs in her own

league,” says Karsten Schölermann,

organizer of the

Alsterlauf in Hamburg and

responsible for the R5K Tour

within GRR. After moving

from the U20 to the U23 category,

the 20-year-old has

delivered the best results of

her career so far this year:

she has set personal bests in

nearly every race from 800

to 5000 meters. She improved

to 2:07.48 minutes over

800 meters, 4:13.17 over

1500 meters, and 8:58.42

over 3000 meters. In her

specialty, the 5000 meters

on road and track, she won

the R5K race in Paderborn in

- 212 -

April with a personal best of

15:41 minutes. On the track,

she went even faster in the

summer, clocking 15:28.93

minutes, and finally realized

her dream of an international

medal in Bergen, Norway: in

15:51.97 minutes she claimed

silver at the U23 European

Championships over

5000 meters. “It turned out

to be a tactical race, contrary

to what I expected. I had

actually thought I could run

a new personal best, but I’ve

saved that for next year,” she

recalls of her season highlight.

After a short break, she resumed

training to shine at

the autumn races of the R5K

Tour. She is especially looking

forward to the finale at the

BMW BERLIN-MARATHON.

The 20-year-old trains in

Frankfurt under Benjamin

Stalf.

Her mother is Irina Mikitenko,

the only German woman

ever to run a sub-2:20

marathon, with her time of

2:19:19 at the BERLIN-MA-

RATHON in 2008 – a record

that still stands today. At

that time, Vanessa Mikitenko

was three years old. Seventeen

years later, she has

the chance to win the overall

U23 title of the R5K Tour

at the very same venue, securing

prize money of 1000

euros plus a 1000-euro training

camp grant.

In the men’s U23 category,

Christoph Schrick (LV Königstein)

is also hoping to

secure that training camp

grant. The 2024 overall winner,

however, must make up

14 seconds on current leader

Jakob Dieterich in the

remaining races in Hamburg

and Berlin. “I mainly

want to win; how I make up

- 213 -

the seconds will be decided

on the day,” says Christoph

Schrick, who was eliminated

in the heats of the 1500

meters at the U23 European

Championships in Bergen

after improving his personal

best to 3:40.39 minutes

earlier in the season. The

22-year-old has been training

with Wolfgang Heinig

since this year and sees

his future in the 1500 and

5000 meters – something

he could underline by defending

his R5K overall victory

in Berlin.

In the U20 category, Tristan

Kaufhold is pursuing

the same goal. The SSC Hanau-Rodenbach

runner has

won the U20 overall title at

every previous edition and

is the fastest under-18 German

ever over ten kilometers

on the road. In 2022 he set

a new German U18 best of

30:19 minutes, which he lowered

to 30:04 in 2023.

He comes to Berlin as the defending

champion and current

overall leader. In spring,

he ran 14:15 minutes – the

fastest time ever recorded in

the R5K Tour by an under-20

athlete.

Among the female juniors,

attention is focused on Carlotta

Bülck from LG Erlangen.

The triathlete won the R5K

race in Hanover in spring

with a time of 17:24 minutes.

With the last two races

in Hamburg and Berlin still to

come, she has a good chance

of overtaking Johanna Ewert

of Hannover 96 in the overall

standings.

- 214 -

- 215 -

Ein Motor

RICHARD WHITEHEAD IN INTERVIEW

British athlete Richard Whitehead MBE originally

wanted to run the marathon at the 2012 Paralympic

Games in London. But the International Paralympic

Committee informed him at the time that

athletes missing both lower legs were not allowed

to compete in the 42.195-kilometer race. Instead

of complaining about this injustice, he began training

for the sprint – and sensationally won gold in

the 200 meters. Thirteen years later, at the BMW

BERLIN-MARATHON, the 49-year-old wants to

run under three hours. It is the last of the seven

Abbott World Marathon Majors where he has not

yet achieved this. In the interview, he explains why

he firmly believes he can do it and what sport means

to him.

“It’s All

About

Inspiration”

Richard, how many marathons

will Berlin be for you

this year?

My goal is to run 20 marathons

this year. Berlin will be

my 16th. I also want to complete

all seven Abbott World

Marathon Majors in under

three hours. Berlin is the only

one missing. I’m confident

that I’ll succeed on September

21. I just mustn’t fail.

In Sydney, you finished in

2:56 only four weeks before

Berlin …

… Yes, and that was a difficult

course for me. When

it gets hilly, I have to work

harder with my prosthetics

than others. On the other

hand, Sydney’s course

supports a negative split.

The first half is mostly uphill

with some steeper downhill

sections. The second half is

easier for a runner with prosthetics.

And I’m good at

running the second half faster

than the first anyway. In

any case, it was great to be

part of the very first Sydney

Marathon Major.

Berlin, with its flat course,

should be ideal for you.

Absolutely. I also set my

world record in Chicago,

which has many long, flat,

straight sections. In Berlin

I want to show once again

that, regardless of disability,

performance can inspire

people. And Berlin as a historic

city offers the perfect

stage for this.

Do you train like able-bodied

runners or very differently?

I train very similarly to other

marathon runners – though I

always have to keep an eye

on my prosthetics. I mostly

- 218 -

A ROLE MODEL FOR INCLUSION

Richard Whitehead is one of the most

renowned Paralympic athletes in Great

Britain. His greatest triumph came in

2012, when he won Paralympic gold

over 200 meters in London’s sold-out

Olympic Stadium. At that time, he came

out of the bend in last place and, with

a sensational final sprint on the home

straight, overtook the entire field.

Born without lower legs, he runs with

special carbon prosthetics. His sporting

career began in swimming, where he

competed in several international competitions.

In 2005 and 2006, he was a

member of the British para-cricket team.

In 2006, he also took part in the Paralympic

Winter Games in Turin in sledge

hockey.

Later, he switched to athletics and became

one of the most successful sprinters

in his class. At the Paralympic Games

in London 2012 and in Rio de Janeiro

2016, he won gold over 200 meters, as

well as two silver medals. He also claimed

several world championship titles.

Even before his sprinting successes, he

had run dozens of marathons worldwide

– eleven of them under three hours. In

2024, he set the marathon world record

for double-leg amputees in Chicago with

a time of 2:41:36. He has set himself the

goal of completing 100 marathons in his

lifetime. A special ambition for him is to

break the three-hour barrier in all seven

World Marathon Majors. He can achieve

this on September 21 in Berlin.

But Richard Whitehead is more than

just an athlete – he is also a role model

and motivator. He is committed to

the inclusion of people with disabilities

and shows through his own story that

almost anything is possible. With his

foundation and countless public appearances,

he inspires children, young people,

and adults alike.

Richard

Whitehead

- 219 -

run alone, sometimes with

other athletes or in groups,

to motivate people. But often

serious training means heading

out early in the morning

or late at night by yourself. I

can always rely on the plans

and advice of my coach Liz

Yelling, who has a marathon

best of 2:28:33 and was the

top British finisher at the

2004 Olympics in Athens.

Where do you train?

Mainly on the roads in and

around Nottingham, my hometown

in England. I have

fixed routes for different training

sessions: long straights

for tempo runs and specific

hill sections. That gives me

a good mix and optimal preparation.

What was it like growing

up as a child without both

lower legs?

It was a challenging time

in the 1970s and 1980s.

Back then, you couldn’t just

go online to see if someone

else had gone through

something similar. Despite

the support of my family, I

often felt alone in my situation.

What role did sport play

for you back then?

As a child, sport was above

all a way to find acceptance.

I’m very grateful to my

parents for always encouraging

me to do sports.

And how has the meaning

of sport changed for your

life since then?

Today, sport is my life’s

mission. It shows me and

others: whether astronaut,

Oxford student, or marathon

runner – you can

achieve anything if you find

- 220 -

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a way. My message to the

people of Berlin is also: the

most important mile is the

27th – even though a marathon

only has 26. What

happens after the finish

line is decisive: how you

inspire yourself and others

and strengthen the community.

Today I can show

children what is possible.

Sport is incredibly important

for young people – for

physical and mental health.

The greatest moment for Richard

Whitehead: in 2012, the Briton won

gold over 200 meters in London’s

fully packed Olympic Stadium.

Running is the most inclusive

sport: you can participate,

spectate, volunteer,

or help organize. Without

volunteers, there would

be no BMW BERLIN-

MARATHON.

You first started with

swimming, before becoming

successful in very

different sports such as

sledge hockey and cricket.

Yes, as a child swimming

was the easiest sport for

me. Running came much later.

My first marathon was in

New York in 2004.

How did that come about?

One of my best friends had

died from an aggressive

form of bone cancer at the

time. I wanted to run to challenge

myself, raise awareness

for sarcoma, and collect

donations. Back then, I had

hardly ever run more than

a mile and didn’t have running

prosthetics. At first, I

ran with special shoes directly

on my knees. That

was extremely exhausting

and painful. Only 13 days

before the New York Ma-

rathon, a prosthetics manufacturer

heard about my

story and fitted me with

my first running blades –

and with them, I finished in

New York. Even then, I realized:

this is an enormous

challenge, physically and

mentally. For amputees it’s

even harder, since energy

expenditure is two to three

times higher. You can’t just

put on prosthetics and start

running – it takes training,

the right equipment, and a

whole team to support you.

What was your greatest

moment as an athlete?

It’s hard to name just one.

Winning gold in front of

80,000 people at home in

2012 over 200 meters was

incredible. That moment in

London’s Olympic Stadium

made everything else possible.

It was the platform for

my humanitarian work, my

marathons, my engagement

with the community. But

personally, maybe it was my

first marathon in New York

in 2004. That’s when I realized

what running means to

the world and to me.

Were there also low

points?

Yes, of course. Every marathon,

every sporting career

has dark moments. In training,

doubts appear – when

you can’t complete a session

or when your prosthetics

break. Those are tough moments,

but I’ve learned to

get back up and start again.

Training is the key to success.

On race day, I want

to show what hard work,

resilience, and passion can

achieve.

- 224 -

Outpacing

what’s possible

At Abbott, our life-changing health technology

helps people do more — like run a marathon.

With Abbott World Marathon Majors and

five-time BMW BERLIN-MARATHON champion

Eliud Kipchoge, we aim to inspire and empower

every person to live their healthiest life.

Watch Eliud’s Story

BMW BERLIN-

MARATHON 2025

DOWNLOAD

OUR APP:

The official

BMW BERLIN-MARATHON app

→ TRACKING

for runners and inline skaters.

You can decide whether and by

who you want to be tracked.

→ EXPO

Where do you get your bib number?

Where can you find the

most interesting exhibitors?

→ SEARCH

Find individual participants

or entire crews, provided they are

not set to private in their settings.

Live results lists and

leaderboards.

→ LOG-IN

For participants:

Using the registration ID

from your start pass in the

format SC:XXXX

In the login area, participants

will find their profile and

after finishing, a photo screen

with their finish time.

→ PUSH NOTIFICATIONS

Get all the information sent to

you so you don't miss anything

on the marathon weekend!

New this year:

Participants will receive an

individual push notification in

good time before the start

to know exactly when and

where they need to be.

→ AND:

All dates and interactive course

maps with route navigation to

the cheering points along the

course.

Use of the app requires at least Android 10 or iOS 16 or higher.

It is free to use.

Available in the days before the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON

From 6

to 7

Even though Sydney has now been added

as a seventh race to the Abbott World

Marathon Majors (AWMM), the coveted

Six-Star Medal remains unchanged.

Runners will still receive it if they finish in

Berlin, Chicago, New York, Tokyo, Boston,

and London. What’s new are the seven

coins for each race, which allow every

AWMM finish to be documented. To

showcase them, the AWMM offers

various display stands where the coins

can be placed. Why the next step might

soon be a Nine-Star Award, you can

read here.

The history of the Abbott

World Marathon Majors

began in 2006. In addition to

a series for elite runners – currently

in its 12th edition – a series

for wheelchair racers was

later introduced. The marathon

races of the Olympic Games

or Paralympics, as well as the

World Athletics Championships,

are always part of the

respective series if they take

place during the series period.

This year, the results of the

marathon at the World Athletics

Championships in Tokyo,

held shortly before the BMW

BERLIN-MARATHON, will

count toward the AWMM. At

the end of the one-year series,

during which athletes accumulate

points, the top three

each receive prize money.

Over time, the Abbott World

Marathon Majors also launched

various initiatives for amateur

runners, among them the Six

Star Finishers. Those who successfully

complete the AWMM

races receive a special medal.

Even with Sydney joining as the

seventh member, the Six Star

Medal remains unchanged.

Currently, Cape Town and

Shanghai are two additional

candidates seeking to join the

Abbott World Marathon Majors.

Should this happen, an additional

Nine Star Medal will be

introduced.

Abbott World

Marathon Majors

More information

about the races on

the following pages

- 230 -

When you complete the BMW Berlin

Marathon 2025 you will earn an

Abbott World Marathon Majors star.

Create your Runner Portal at

AbbottWMM.com and your star will

appear in your account as soon as

we upload the Berlin results.

Claim all of your Majors results in your

portal as you make your way towards

the Six Star Medal and beyond!

Runners aged 40+ can also be part

of the AbbottWMM Marathon

Tours & Travel Age Group World

Rankings system.

The World

Record

Race

- 232 -

CHICAGO

With around 4,200

runners, the history

of the Chicago Marathon

began on September 25,

1977. Since then, the race

has grown to a field of over

50,000 participants. The

flat course starts and finishes

in Chicago’s historic

Grant Park. Along the way, it

passes through 29 culturally

diverse neighborhoods,

including Lakeview, Greektown,

Little Italy, Pilsen,

Chinatown, and Bronzeville.

A very large number of

spectators line the course.

At this race, three men’s

Next event

October 12, 2025

Largest field of participants

52,089 finishers (2024)

Course records

Men: 2:00:35 (2023)

Kelvin Kiptum (KEN)

Women: 2:09:56 (2024)

Ruth Chepngetich (KEN)*

*) Athlete provisionally suspended

due to doping suspicion

world records were set

(1984: Steve Jones 2:08:55

h, 1999: Khalid Khannouchi

2:05:42 h, 2023: Kelvin

Kiptum 2:00:35 h) as well

as four women’s records

(2001: Catherine Ndereba

2:18:47 h, 2002: Paula

Radcliffe 2:17:18 h, 2019:

Brigid Kosgei 2:14:04 h,

2024: Ruth Chepngetich

2:09:56 h).

Four women’s world records and

three men’s world records have

already been celebrated in Chicago.

In 2023, Kenyan runner Kelvin

Kiptum set the still-standing world

record there with a time of 2:00:35.

On February 11, 2024, he died at

the age of 24 together with his

Rwandan coach, Gervais Hakizimana,

in a car accident.

Bank of America

Chicago Marathon

OCTOBER 12, 2025

The

Grand

Spectacle

The TCS New York City

Marathon is the ultimate

marathon spectacle.

Time and again, the race

has been the largest marathon

in the world over the

42.195-kilometer distance.

It was here that, for the

first time, a marathon recorded

more than 50,000

finishers (2013). Since its

debut in 1970, with only

127 runners completing

four laps through Central

Park, the marathon has

grown enormously. On the

first Sunday in November,

well over 50,000 runners

NEW YORK

Next event

November 2, 2025


55,638 finishers (2024)

Course records

Men: 2:04:58 (2023)

Tamirat Tola (ETH)

Women: 2:22:31 (2003)

Margaret Okayo (KEN)

from all over the world flock

to New York City to race

through the five boroughs.

The runners start on the

Verrazano-Narrows Bridge

in Staten Island, then continue

through the boroughs

of Brooklyn, Queens, and

the Bronx before finishing

in Central Park, Manhattan.

In the 1980s, when East German

athlete Waldemar Cierpinski became

Olympic champion for the second

time in Moscow in 1980, German

marathon runners played

a different role on the world stage

than they do today: Herbert Steffny

won bronze at the 1986 European

Championships in Stuttgart, and

two years earlier he had finished

third at the New York City Marathon.

To this day, the now 69-year-old is

in New York every year, coaching

running groups from Germany.

TCS New York

City Marathon

Running

with Heart

The Tokyo Marathon

Foundation launched

the premiere of the thennew

Tokyo Marathon on

February 18, 2007. The race’s

motto was: “The Day

We Unite.” In 2011, the Tokyo

Marathon established

its own charity program:

“Running with Heart.” Donations

support various

charitable initiatives. Since

2017, the Tokyo Marathon

has had a revised course,

with the finish line now located

right next to the main

train station. In 2018, a Japanese

record was broken

TOKYO

Next event

March 1, 2026


36,751 finishers (2023)

Course records

Men: 2:02:16 (2024)

Benson Kipruto (KEN)

Women: 2:15:55 (2024)

Sutume Kebede (ETH)

in the race for the first time

in 16 years. After setting

a finisher record in 2023

with nearly 37,000 runners

crossing the line, both

prestigious course records

fell in 2024: Benson Kipruto

triumphed in 2:02:16,

and Sutume Kebede clocked

2:15:55.

In 2024, Kenyan runner Benson

Kipruto crossed the finish line after

2:02:16 hours. Course record. Only

his compatriot Sabastian Sawe ran

faster that year.

Tokyo

Marathon

The Oldest

Marathon

BOSTON

Inspired by their experiences

at the 1896 Olympic

Games, several members of

the Boston Athletic Association

launched their own

marathon in 1897. With the

exception of the 2020 race

(held virtually due to the

COVID-19 pandemic), this

event has taken place every

year (in 1918, however,

as a military relay instead

of an individual race) and

is the oldest annually held

marathon in the world. The

Boston Marathon celebrated

its 129th edition in April

2025. Over the years, the

start and finish lines have

Next event

April 20, 2026


35,868 finishers (1996)

Course records

Men: 2:03:02 (2011)

Geoffrey Mutai (KEN)

Women: 2:17:22 (2025)

Sharon Lokedi (KEN)

been relocated, but most

of the course has remained

largely unchanged. Since

1924, the race has begun in

the town of Hopkinton and

run westward through the

hilly terrain of Massachusetts

into Boston on the Atlantic

coast. In Newton, the

course gradually climbs to

the famous Heartbreak Hill.

The race finishes in Boston

Through Uta Pippig, SCC Berlin,

the club behind the BMW BERLIN-

MARATHON, has a very special

connection to the Boston Marathon:

In the 1990s, the Berlin native competed

for SCC and won in Boston

three times in a row, in 1994, 1995,

and 1996.

on historic Boylston Street.

Participation in the Boston

Marathon requires runners

to qualify with corresponding

times.

Bank of America

Boston Marathon

Big and

World-Class

LONDON

The first London Marathon

took place on March

29, 1981. More than 20,000

runners wanted to participate,

but only 7,747 were

accepted. Most recently,

with 56,746 finishers, the

TCS London Marathon 2025

became the largest race ever

over the 42.195-kilometer

distance. Each year, several

hundred thousand athletes

apply for bib numbers, which

are allocated via a lottery.

World records for both men

and women have been set

in this race, including Paula

Radcliffe’s performance

in 2003, when she clocked

Next event

April 26, 2026


56,746 finishers (2025)

Course records

Men: 2:01:25 (2023)

Kelvin Kiptum (KEN)

Women: 2:15:25 (2003)

Paula Radcliffe (GBR)

a time of 2:15:25. The TCS

London Marathon is broadcast

internationally by the

BBC, attracting between

four and five million viewers

in the United Kingdom alone.

Over the course of the race’s

history, more than one billion

pounds have been raised for

charitable causes.

In 2003, Paula Radcliffe set a women’s

world record in London with a

time of 2:15:25, which stood for 16

years before being broken by Kenyan

runner Brigid Kosgei (2:14:04) in

2019. Even today, Paula Radcliffe’s

time remains the sixth-fastest women’s

marathon of all time.

TCS London

Marathon

THE WORLD’S MOST POPULAR MARATHON

FOR A REASON

Find out more

The seventh

Star

SYDNEY

The TCS Sydney Marathon

is a legacy of

the Sydney 2000 Olympic

Games – and the only event

from them with a mass participation

character. Since

2025, it has been the seventh

marathon in the

Abbott World Marathon

Majors. The start of the marathon

is identical to that

of the Olympic marathon.

From northern Sydney, the

undulating course leads

across the Sydney Harbour

Bridge, past the landmark

The Rocks, through Circular

Quay and Centennial Park.

The finish line is located in

Next event

August 30, 2026


32,995 finishers (2025)

Course records

Men: 2:06:06 (2025)

Hailemaryam Kiros (ETH)

Women: 2:18:22 (2025)

Sifan Hassan (NED)

front of the world-famous

Opera House. It is Australia’s

largest marathon, and

in recent years the race

has recorded very strong

growth in participant numbers.

A highlight of the TCS Sydney

Marathon course is the run

across the Harbour Bridge.

TCS Sydney

Marathon

Photo Credit: Daniel Tran

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA | BALLOT OPENS LATE SEPTEMBER 2025

TCSSYDNEYMARATHON.COM

ORGANISATION

Promoter

Sport-Club Charlottenburg e.V.

Organiser

SCC EVENTS GmbH

Olympiapark Berlin

Hanns-Braun-Straße/Adlerplatz

14053 Berlin

Tel. 030 – 301 288 10

Fax 030 – 301 288 20

www.scc-events.com

Organisational team

BMW BERLIN-MARATHON

Managing Directors

Christian Jost, Jürgen Lock

Director Event Management

Mark Milde

Director Operations

Carsten Humrich

Director Participant Management,

Marketing|Digital, Process Management

Antje Jüntgen

Director Sponsoring

Jennifer Barthel

Team Leader Media Relations & Editorial

Robert Fekl, Jochen Schmitz

Team Leader Operations

Michael Gerlach

Team Leader Participant Management

Judy Kumutat

Team Leader Marketing|Digital

Nadia Dagher

Team Leader Finance

Aike Fokkena

Team Leader Event Management

Achim Rau

Team Leader Sponsoring

Timo Göhler

Public Affairs

Yvonne Meißner

Medical Board/Medical Directors

PD Dr. med Matthias Krüll,

Dr. med. Margrit Lock, Sandra Paffenbach

Human Relationships

Philip Lehmann

Race Director

Mark Milde

Participant Management

Sylvia Ackermann, Georgia Andrews, Lara Bär,

Anika Gerlach, Marc Goldmann, Fynn Hänsel,

Monique Hoppe, Sybille Hoppe, Antje Jüntgen,

Philipp Kadow, Niklas Kleinert, Judy Kumutat,

Anja Lüthke, Anja Reisner, Laura Tapia,

Stella Strohbach, Britt Munzlinger

Process Management

Linda Baumgart, Stephanie Kamen, Markus März

Elite Athletes Hospitality

Philipp Kadow, Nadine Mietke, Carsten Helterhof

EXPO

Katharina Holle, Dominik Scholten

Broom Wagon

Christian Löw

Results Services

mika:timing

Event Management

Sarah Hecker, Katharina Holle, Nadine Mietke,

Mark Milde, Ingo Monse, Robert Müller,

Achim Rau, Maren Riedel, Dominik Scholten

Gathering Point

Bastian Klemke

Driving Service

Gabi Mahn, Mario Mahn

Blue Line

Gunnar Hamel, Gregor Pfennig

Wheelchair drivers/Handcyclists

Georgia Andrews

Volunteer Management

Ralf Burzlaff, Noah Löffler, Vivian Schneider

Jubilee Club

Anja Reisner

Sustainability

Michael Fuchs

Inlineskating

Gerte Buchheit, Ingo Monse

Clothing Drop-Off

Peter Fielhauer, Yves Imbert, Alexander Schröter,

Christina Imbert, Joachim Zschaler

Poncho hand-out

Alexander Horn

Marketing|Digital

Nadia Dagher, Janis vom Hoff, Celia Jentzsch,

Antje Jüntgen, Pauline Lischke, Kirsti Maiwald,

Jonas Martin, Sabrina Krause, Vincent Schröder

International Groups Partner

Mareike Dehmel, Melanie Moll, Sarah Panski

Medal hand-out

Dirk Richter, Sven Uterhardt

Media Relations & Editorial/Media Center

Max Bodenstab, Gerte Buchheit,

Frauke Constantin, Vincent Dornbusch,

Robert Fekl, Elisabeth Hanke, Tom Kettelhut,

Jochen Schmitz, Thomas Steffens,

Jakob Wartchow, Jörg Wenig

Sponsoring

Nicole Altenhof, Philipp Altmeppen,

Jennifer Barthel, Timo Göhler,

Linda Kollmann, Max Lichtenberg,

Ines Rentsch, Dominik Rosenau,

Marit van Eijk, Lara Vogel

Massage Services

Matthias Vogel

Finance

Aike Fokkena, Antonella Giglio, Heike Krone,

Marcel Reppien, Simone Schmidt

Sports Medicine

Angela Hänsel, Emilia Tommasino,

Medical Team von SCC Events

Music/Course

Björn Kasan

Self catering

Dominic Beblie

Police Head of Operations

LtdPD Hartwich

Protocol/VIP

Marion Strolz

Announcer

Jonas Frank, Dr. Karsten Holland, Sven Stöcklein

Start

Janine Heß, Marcel Heß, Sonja Glauert,

Steffen Kirner, Andreas Pohlmann

Course

Gunnar Hamel, Gregor Pfennig

Course Measuring

John Kunkeler, Gregor Pfennig

Race Display Service

Helmut Winter, Sean Heartnett

Aid Stations

Jette Kasper, Max Roy

Operations

Oliver Bach, Paul Bär, Ümit Cakmak,

Christian Fahr, Michael Gerlach, Daniel Hoppe,

Carsten Humrich, Stefanie Münzberg,

Lars Nitz, Janin Reinhardt

Pacemaker

Martin Schöll, Sascha Ratzinger (pacerteam.de)

Mascot

Fridolin Flink

Victory Ceremony

Yvonne Meißner

Party

Eliane Mietke

Medical Service

Johanniter Unfallhilfe e.V.

Aid Stations Runners

Start

SCC Berlin e.V.

5-km-Refreshment point

„Zur Ruderer-Schänke“ | Ruder-Club Tegel

Markus Hardt, Tobias Lohr

9-km-Supply point

FV Freizeitsport e.V.

Lutz Berthold, Birgit Berthold


THW Jugend | Sascha Barnewske

15-km-Supply point

Berliner Schwimmverband (Jugend)

Manuela Krause, Sascha Weiß

17,5-km-Refreshment point

IBM-Club Berlin e.V.

Holmer Jankowski, Christian Bartsch

20-km-Supply point

Barbara Noack, Karin Lorenz


Berliner Jugend-Feuerwehr

Dennis Langrock

25-km-Supply point

Sportstudio Nippon

Carla Sparmann, Esther Buchwald


LG Süd Berlin

Maximilian Totel, Sarah Wagner

30-km-Supply point

Anne Meyer, Andreas Knoll


TÜV Rheinland Akademie Berlin

Melanie Balzer


„Knackpunkt“ | Nordberliner Lauffreunde

Jörg Busche, Christian Meier

36-km-Supply point

LAC Berlin

Stefan Bauer


LC Cottbus

Kerstin Füßler, Roland Füßler


„Zur letzten Tränke“ | SCC-Langstreckler

Karsten Kupsch

Finish

ABC Zentrum Berlin

Kai-Thomas Arndt, Denise Thunich

Aid Stations Inlineskating

6/13/20/27/34 km:

Motor Eberswalde | Detlef Mierig

Good luck!

We wish you lots of

- 258 -

fun and success at the

2025: Preview

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