Berlin Marathon

The Berlin Marathon is a yearly event on the city's streets, made up of several races that each cover the 42.195-kilometre marathon distance. It is one of the 6 original Abbott World Marathon Majors, alongside races such as Tokyo, Boston and London.

The next edition is confirmed for 26 September 2027 in Berlin. The marathon usually takes place in September.

Race entries are expected to be allocated by lottery, with registration through a personal user account; that detail is not yet confirmed. The ballot opened on 1 October 2026 and closes on 12 November 2026. The organiser is SCC EVENTS.

Besides the 42 km run, the event offers further disciplines and events. The organisers present these in an overview, so it is worth looking through it if you want to take part in something other than the marathon itself.

Horst Milde, a local baker and keen runner, founded the race in 1974. Until 1990 it was confined to West Berlin; from 1990 onwards the route has taken in both halves of the reunited city.

When AIMS, the international association of marathons and road races, was set up in 1982, the Berlin Marathon was one of its 28 founding members. The organisers say more marathon world records, 13 so far, have been set in Berlin than at any other marathon race.

In 2023 World Athletics awarded the marathon its Heritage Plaque, an honour recognising Berlin's long track and field tradition.

According to the organisers, runners pass through the Brandenburg Gate shortly before the finish, while millions of spectators and 80 live bands line the route.