BMW Berlin Marathon 2026

One of the world's fastest marathon courses

The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON is one of the world's most prestigious road races and part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors. Its flat, fast course, international field and landmark finish through the Brandenburg Gate make Berlin a bucket-list marathon for both competitive and recreational runners. The 2026 edition is the 52nd, taking place Sunday, September 27, 2026.

The course

42.195km on a predominantly flat road course through central Berlin. The race starts on Straße des 17. Juni, close to the Tiergarten and Brandenburg Gate, before taking runners through a broad circuit of the capital. Wide roads and limited elevation change have made Berlin one of the leading destinations for record attempts and personal bests. The final kilometres bring runners back toward the historic centre — passing through the Brandenburg Gate before finishing on Straße des 17. Juni.

Entry & registration

Regular entries are allocated through a lottery — registration for the 2026 lottery ran from late September until early November 2025, so this route is now closed. Runners without a lottery place may still secure entry through an authorized international tour operator, an official charity partner, selected SCC EVENTS running camps, or other official programs. Only packages through recognized official partners should be considered. Standard fee: €205.

What's included

Race entry, official timing, finisher medal, digital finisher certificate, a 4-day public transport ticket for Berlin fare zones ABC, aid stations and finish-line refreshments, pacemakers for different target times, app tracking, medical support, changing areas and showers, post-race massage, reusable finish poncho (clothing drop-off bookable separately for €5 instead).

Race day schedule

Eligibility & cut-off

Minimum age 18 (born 2008 or earlier). 6 hours 15 minutes time limit from crossing the start line. Walkers permitted within the limit; Nordic walking not allowed. Athletes behind the official pace must leave the closed race route.

Marathon weekend

Saturday, September 26, 2026 brings additional events: GENERALI 5K (final section of the marathon course), BMW BERLIN-MARATHON Inlineskating (full route on skates), a youth-focused Mini-marathon, and the MARATHON EXPO. Separate registration and fees apply.

Who is it for?

Experienced runners chasing a personal best, first-time marathoners wanting a highly organized major event, Abbott World Marathon Majors collectors, international runners seeking a destination race, competitive age-groupers, and spectators wanting an accessible city-centre marathon. The flat profile makes Berlin fast, but the scale requires preparation — large start waves and opening-kilometre excitement can make controlled pacing harder than the elevation suggests.

FAQ

When is the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2026? Sunday, September 27, 2026.

How long is the course? 42.195 kilometres.

How much does entry cost? €205 standard fee.

Is the course flat? Yes — regarded as one of the flattest and fastest among the Abbott World Marathon Majors.

How do I enter? Regular lottery closed in November 2025. Guaranteed places may still be available through official tour operators, charity partners or running camps.

What's the time limit? 6 hours 15 minutes from the start line.

Where does it start? Straße des 17. Juni, between the Brandenburg Gate and Kleiner Stern.

Can walkers participate? Yes, within the 6:15 time limit. Nordic walking not permitted.