Berlin Marathon Team Entry: How to Apply With Friends

Entering a World Marathon Major lottery with friends often leads to a bittersweet outcome where one runner gets accepted and another is left behind. The Generali Berlin Marathon provides a dedicated team entry option for groups of two or three runners, ensuring that everyone in the group is either accepted or rejected together.

The lottery for the September 26, 2027 race is open from October 1 to November 12, 2026. Here is how the team entry process works, how to link accounts with a team code, and the rules governing payments and withdrawals.

How do you create and join a team?

Every member of your group must have their own personal user account on the official event platform. The registration is completed in two stages:

1. The first runner registers: The first person begins registration through their user account and indicates that it is a team registration. They choose a team name and submit their details. 2. Retrieve the team code: Once completed, that runner receives a confirmation email containing a unique team code. 3. Other members join: The first runner shares the team code with the remaining one or two teammates. Each teammate then logs into their own user account, selects the option to "Join an existing team", enters the code, and completes their individual registration.

The team code must be entered during the initial registration process. Organizers state explicitly that a team code cannot be added after an individual entry is completed.

How does the team lottery drawing work?

When the lottery drawing takes place, your team is drawn as a single unit. If the team is selected, every member receives a starting spot. If the team is not selected, no one on the team gets a place.

Results will be sent to all applicants by email on December 3, 2026.

While the drawing links your selection outcome, payments remain completely separate. Each member enters their own payment details during registration. If your team is drawn, the participation fee of €215 per person is processed by Adyen N.V. starting December 4, 2026. Depending on your bank, the charge may take up to a week to finalize.

Do team members have to run together?

No. Team registration exists solely as an entry mechanism for the lottery drawing. There is no team classification, combined time, or team ranking.

On race day, each participant runs as an individual athlete. Every runner receives their own bib, records their own chip time, and is listed individually in the official results.

What happens if a teammate cannot participate?

After the lottery draw concludes, entries are treated independently:

• Remaining spots stay safe: If one team member is unable to run, it has no effect on the others. Your starting spot remains completely valid.
• No replacements: You cannot add a replacement runner to the team.
• No transfers or refunds: Starting spots are assigned strictly to specific individuals and cannot be transferred to another runner or to another year. Entry fees are non-refundable, though runners who purchased cancellation insurance during registration can submit a claim through their user account.

To track registration deadlines and prepare for the 2027 race, visit our Berlin Marathon page.

Sources: GENERALI BERLIN-MARATHON Run, GENERALI BERLIN-MARATHON FAQ