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World Marathon Major · Berlin, Germany

Berlin Marathon

The Berlin Marathon is the world's fastest marathon course, run each September on a flat, wind-protected loop that ends through the Brandenburg Gate. Most places come from a lottery, but a fast-time standard gives a guaranteed place.

The Berlin Marathon course in Berlin, from the start to the finish.
The course route, simplified. Check the official course map before race day.
Where and when
Berlin, Germany · September
First run
1974
Field size
about 54,000
Average finish
about 4:04
How to get in
Lottery, charity or tour places, or a guaranteed fast-time standard
Qualifying times
Men 2:45:00, women 3:00:00 for a guaranteed place
Official site
generali-berlin-marathon.com/en

Dates, fees and rules change every year, so confirm on the official site before you plan.

About the Berlin Marathon

First run in 1974, Berlin is where many world records have been set. The cool air, flat paved streets and well-organised start make it a favourite for personal bests.

Watch the Berlin Marathon run again

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How do you get a place in the Berlin Marathon?

A public lottery, charity or tour places, or a guaranteed place if you meet the fast-runner standard, which skips the lottery.

  • When entry opens: Applications open from about 1 October to mid-November for the following September.
  • Cost: About €215, charged only if you are drawn.

What is the Berlin Marathon course like, and what is the cut-off?

Completely flat, paved and sheltered from wind, looping through the city and finishing on a straight through the Brandenburg Gate.

Cut-off: Six hours 15 minutes from your own start. A hard cut-off is enforced at the 33 km mark, and runners behind pace are taken off the course by the sweep bus.

Where should spectators watch the Berlin Marathon?

  • Kreuzberg and Moritzplatz, about mile 13A lively neighbourhood with live bands, street food and loud crowds.
    Getting there: The U8 U-Bahn line to Moritzplatz.
  • Brandenburg Gate and Potsdamer Platz, about mile 25.5The final straight, where runners dig in towards the finish.
    Getting there: The S-Bahn or U-Bahn (U5) to Brandenburg Tor or Potsdamer Platz.

Work out when your runner reaches each spot with the spectator timing planner, set to this race's usual start time. Tracking and signal can fail in a crowd, so agree a meeting place and a time before race day. See how to get around a marathon as a spectator.

What are the weather, start times and tracking like?

  • Weather: Close to ideal, about 9 to 14°C (48 to 57°F) with low humidity and little wind.
  • Start times: Handcycles and wheelchairs 8:50, elite and Wave A 9:15, then Waves B to H one after another from 9:35 to 10:40 am.
  • Tracking: The event's tracking app shows live position from timing checkpoints, with a leaderboard to follow the elite runners.

Is the Berlin Marathon a good first marathon?

Excellent, but mind the time gate (ranked 2 of 8 for a first-timer). Very flat, well run and cool, but the cut-off is strictly enforced, including at the 33 km mark. See the full ranking of the eight majors.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get into the Berlin Marathon?

Through the public lottery, a charity or tour place, or the guaranteed fast-time standard. Applications run from October to mid-November for the following September.

Is Berlin really the fastest course?

It is widely regarded that way. It is flat, sheltered and set in cool autumn weather, and many world records were set here.

What is the time limit?

Six hours 15 minutes from your own start, with a firm cut-off at 33 km. If you plan to walk a lot, plan your pace against it.

Is it a good first marathon?

Yes for the course and organisation. The strict cut-off means you should be sure of your pace.

Where can my family see me twice?

Kreuzberg around mile 13 and the Brandenburg Gate area at the end are both on the U-Bahn or S-Bahn network.

Plan your race day

The other majors