BMW Berlin Marathon

Entry is primarily via lottery, which opens in late September and closes in early November, with results announced in late November. Runners who have achieved a qualifying standard (Good-for-Age time) from an officially certified race within the past two years receive guaranteed entry. Charity bibs are also available through official partner organizations.

The official time limit is 6 hours and 15 minutes from when you cross the start line. Runners who exceed this must leave the official route and are transported to the finish by the 'broom bus.'

Yes. The race is organized under the international competition regulations of World Athletics and the German Athletics Federation (DLV), and qualifying times achieved here are recognized by the BAA for Boston Marathon entry.

The loop course starts and finishes near the Brandenburg Gate. It passes through Charlottenburg, Tiergarten, Moabit, Mitte, and Friedrichshain on wide asphalt roads with very little elevation change — roughly 40 meters total across the full distance, making it the flattest of the World Marathon Majors.

Race day in late September is typically cool, with morning temperatures around 11-13°C (52-55°F) rising to roughly 17-19°C (63-66°F) by midday. Humidity is generally low, and conditions are consistently favorable for fast marathon running.

The 2024 race set a world record with 54,280 finishers. Berlin is one of the largest marathons in the world, regularly attracting runners from over 150 countries.

For the 2026 edition, lottery registration opened September 25, 2025 and closed November 6, 2025. Results were sent by email in late November. Check the official website for the most current registration dates.