22°
Sunny, hot
HI 28°
LO 14°
Hottest Berlin ever · 27.6°C peak · top-10 men 3 min slower than 2024
BERLIN
/
GERMANY
/
FOUNDED 1974
Berlin Marathon
The world-record course. Nine men's WRs have fallen here since 2003 — pancake flat, start to Brandenburg Gate.
Berlin is the marathon world record course — nine men's marathon world records have been set here since 2003, including every men's world record since 2013. Frequent venue for championship attempts.
Ballot opens
Sep 25, 2025
Window opens · free to enter
Passed
Ballot closes
Nov 6, 2025
Last day to submit
Passed
Draw / results
Nov 27, 2025
Winners notified
Passed
Race day
Sep 27, 2026
September 27, 2026
Next up
CLOSED NOV 6, 2025 · NEXT YEAR'S WINDOW TBD
Climate
Past three years on race day
Historical conditions on the course — what to expect, what to pack.
13°
Sunny
HI 15°
LO 11°
Textbook Berlin · cool, sunny · Sebastian Sawe set the year’s world lead
12°
Cloudy
HI 16°
LO 10°
Cloudy and humid · light W-NW breeze · steady from start to finish
Course·
Loop through central Berlin — finish under Brandenburg Gate
Tiergarten → Brandenburg Gate
Cool, 10–15°C
Elevation
Course profile
The flattest of the seven Majors and the reason every men's marathon world record since 2013 has been set here. Long straights, sweeping turns, and barely any elevation change to disturb a fast pace.
Total ascent·51m
Total descent·49m
Highest point·57m @ 21 km
Qualifying
How you get in
General entry is by lottery. Good-for-age times guarantee entry.
~20%
54,000 bibs · lottery
Applications closed
M2:45
W3:10
Open category (18–34)
See full standards →
€1,500+
via official charity partners
View partners →
Good-for-age standards
| Age group | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| 18-34 | 2:45:00 | 3:10:00 |
| 35-39 | 2:45:00 | 3:10:00 |
| 40-44 | 2:45:00 | 3:10:00 |
| 45-49 | 2:55:00 | 3:30:00 |
| 50-54 | 2:55:00 | 3:30:00 |
| 55-59 | 2:55:00 | 3:30:00 |
| 60-64 | 3:25:00 | 4:20:00 |
| 65-69 | 3:25:00 | 4:20:00 |
| 70-74 | 3:25:00 | 4:20:00 |
| 75-79 | 3:25:00 | 4:20:00 |
| 80-84 | 3:25:00 | 4:20:00 |
| 85-89 | 3:25:00 | 4:20:00 |
| 90+ | 3:25:00 | 4:20:00 |
Photos
On the course
Scenes from the 2025 edition — the finish through the Brandenburg Gate and the crowds along Unter den Linden.
Finish · 2025
Crowd · 2025
FAQ
Common questions
When is the 2026 BMW Berlin Marathon?
The 2026 BMW Berlin Marathon runs on Sunday, September 27, 2026. Berlin's course finishes under the Brandenburg Gate in the heart of the city.
What are the odds of getting into the Berlin Marathon lottery?
Berlin's lottery has roughly 20% odds — among the most forgiving of the Majors after Chicago. The lottery typically opens in late September the year before the race and closes about six weeks later.
Why is Berlin considered the world record marathon course?
Berlin is the flattest course of the seven Majors, with minimal elevation change and long straight stretches. Nine men's marathon world records have been set on the Berlin course since 2003, including every men's world record since 2013.
What are the Berlin Marathon qualifying times?
Good-for-age standards are 2:45 for men and 3:00 for women. Meeting the standard guarantees entry outside the general lottery, making Berlin the most accessible qualifier route among the Majors.
What is the Berlin Marathon charity minimum?
Official charity partners typically require €1,500+ in fundraising for a guaranteed bib. This is the lowest charity minimum among the major marathons, reflecting the comparatively better lottery odds.