If you have questions about the Berlin Marathon, you’re in the right place. This is going to have everything you’ll need to have the best day running 26.2 miles possible!
Running one of the World Marathon Majors is an experience of a lifetime. But it can also be very stressful, especially if you’re traveling to somewhere you’ve never been before.
Take a deep breath, because we’re going to break down what you need to know about training, travel, and race day to make it feel less stressful.
Between the expo, race day logistics, and navigating the city, we’ve done the research and talked to runners who have run the Berlin Marathon before to put together this race guide.
Berlin Marathon Tips
This year’s event is going to be a week earlier than normal, taking place on Sunday, September 21, 2025 with the first wave of runners starting at 9:15 am.
Let’s dive into some important tips about what to expect during race weekend.
These tips are what we always share with runners, but they’re especially important if you’re traveling as a racecation:
- Avoid spending too much time on your feet before the race. Berlin is a very walkable city, and you can hit 30k steps very quickly!
- Have your pre-race dinner and morning of meal with you or planned out, so you know it’s food you tolerate. Look ahead at restaurants and make a reservation!
- Make sure to download the race guide and familiarize yourself with the race day schedule.
- Get passes for transportation and download any timetable apps ahead of time.
- Set up race alerts so that you’re aware of any changes that may occur to start times etc.
The food is likely going to be different from what you’re used to eating during training. If you have a sensitive stomach, make sure you pack everything that you may need in your carry-on.
Berlin has the most Italian restaurants, so it’s easy to find a place to get a carb-filled dinner the night before. If you need bagels, you can get them at the grocery stores, or you can buy the SCHRIPPE/SONTAGSBRÖTCHEN. -@michael.runstheworld
#1 Train for the Flats
When comparing the course to the other World Marathon Majors, the Berlin Marathon has the lowest elevation gain at 72M!
The little bit of gain is in the second half of the course, but it’s so subtle that you don’t have to structure your entire training around it.
One thing that many runners overlook is how running a race that’s so flat can actually be harder. You’ll be using the same muscles throughout the race. If you’ve been training on rolling hills, you may find that things start to ache or fatigue.
#2 Marathon Expo
The expo will be open Thursday, September 18th at 3pm through Saturday, September 20th at 7pm.
The Berin Marathon Expo is held at:
Messe Berlin
Messedamm 22
Eingang Süd (Jafféstraße)
14055 Berlin
In past years, the lines to get into the expo have been very long. This is when you’re going to spend a lot of time on your feet, so if possible, try to go a few days before the marathon.
Avoid the expo on Saturday morning because it’s SUPER crowded and you’ll likely waste the entire day there.
You must pick up your bib with your race material and a form of ID that matches the name on your registration. No one else can pick up your race materials. You’re given an official athlete wristband with your bib number that must be worn the entire weekend until you exit the finish area on race day.
Do not remove the wristband before the marathon, or you will not be allowed to enter the start area.
The best way to get to the Berlin Marathon Expo is by taking the train and then walking.
U-Bahn: Line U2 to U-Bhf Kaiserdamm + approx. 25 min walking
Bus: Busline 349 to Jafféstraße + approx. 9 min walking
S-Bahn: Line S3/ S5/ S9 to S-Bhf Messe Süd + approx. 5 min walking
Race Day Merch
Your race entry does NOT include any merch, it is entirely à la carte, including the finisher shirt.
Save yourself time and preorder everything you want on your SCC portal. This helps guarantee the size you want. They’re an Adidas race and the fit is generally true to US sizing. You pick up everything that was pre-ordered after you get your bib at the Expo.
You can also prepay for medal engraving, which is done in the finish area. Darren highly recommends it because it’s cheap and it’s fun to listen to the volunteers call out the names of people from all over the world!
#3 Plan Well Ahead for Your Start Line Arrival
Nothing is worse than the nightmare that you’ve missed the start…other than actually missing it.
With over 50,000 runners, many will be taking trains to get to the start, so planning is a must!
8:56am Wheelchair Athletes start
9:15am Runner start time (four different waves)
Make sure to plan for that with your spectators that you’re not going to start promptly at 9:15am depending on your wave.
Where to Stay?
This is one where you don’t have to stress about staying at the start vs the finish because they’re in the same area!
There are a lot of hotels in the city of Berlin that will either be within walking distance from the race start/finish or within walking distance from a train stop.
When you arrive at the airport, you can easily take the train! The regional express trains (FEX) leave every 30 minutes and get to Berlin Hbf in 33 minutes.
Alternatively, there is the S-bahn S9 line, which covers the same route in 45 minutes. And they are both FREE with your pass.
Local Berlin runner, @michael.runstheworld shared a few hotels that are fairly close to the athletes’ village:
- HAUPTBAHNHOF (walking distance)
- POTSDAMER PLATZ (walking distance)
- GENDARMENMARKT (walking distance)
- ZOO (short ride with train)
- ALEXANDERPLATZ (short ride)
- HACKESCHER MARKT (short ride)
Transportation to the Start Line
The start is located between the Brandenburg Gate and the Kleiner Stern. Depending on where you’re staying, the best way to get there is by taking the train and then walking to the starting area, or walking from where you’re staying.
Avoid taking Uber or taxis because so many streets are going to be closed off.
From the Berlin Marathon website:
- The nearest public transportation stops are:
- subway: Unter den Linden, Bundestag
- S-Bahn: Brandenburg Gate
- S-Bahn, U-Bahn and regional transportation: Berlin Hauptbahnhof (Central Station)
All bibs will be valid as a ticket for for every bus, overground train (S-bahn) and subway (U-bahn) from September 18 to 21. It’s best to just have a photo of the pass on your phone in case you’re asked to show it (which will most likely never happen).
More information about this will be sent to all participants closer to race day.
#4 Berlin Start Line Details
Here’s what you need to know to have a smooth race morning at the Berlin Marathon.
Plan to arrive at least 90 minutes before your assigned start time. It is going to be BUSY, especially in the toilet lines.
If you’re someone who is extra nervous on race mornings (this is totally normal and ok!!), give yourself a little extra time to arrive and get settled in your starting corral.
Security Gates
For security, only those running the Berlin Marathon will be allowed in the designated starting area.
When arriving, you will need to show your race bib and athlete wristband to enter the start/finish area.
Gear Check
Gear Check or “Clothing Drop off” is only available if you pre-register. You will receive a clothing bag and label when you pick up your race bib at the expo. No other bags will be permitted.
If you didn’t purchase the “clothing drop off” during registration, you will receive a poncho at the finish.
Bathroom Lines
Lots of long lines are waiting for the toilets. Some runners have said they’ve gotten right back in line after using the toilet so that they can go on more time before starting.
Local Berlin runner, @michael.runstheworld, shared “Don’t use the porta potties on your way to the corrals in the athlete’s village. Instead, keep walking through your coral to the opposite side. There are plenty of porta-potties and super short lines because everyone always stops at the first lines they see.”
Grab some toilet paper or pack wipes with you because no one ever wants to get left stranded with nothing.
FuelGoods has some great little packets that you can throw in your carry-on or pocket on race morning.
Starting Corrals
You will be assigned a starting group based on your best or expected finish time. You will be able to change this until September 8th, 2025.
There are no changes to starting corrals allowed at the expo.
Each wave is assigned a specific starting time. If you want to join a slower group than what has been assigned, this is allowed. No runners will be permitted to seed themselves in faster starting groups from what is on their bib.
Here is the starting groups:
9.15 am ABCD*
9.45 am EF
10.10 am GHJ
10.40 am K
*these may change as we get closer to September.
One thing to note that is different about the Berlin Marathon is that first-time marathon runners are automatically placed in the last wave, regardless of their finish time.
If you have a half-marathon that you can show for proof of time, we suggest doing this by the required date to get moved to an earlier wave.
Sit Down
The starting area is in a grassy area, so you may want to pack something to sit on in the chance that the grass is wet, muddy or there’s bad weather.
If you arrive early, make sure you sit down and rest your legs because you have a big day ahead of you!
#4 Berlin Marathon Course Strategy
Thank you to RTTF-coached athlete Darren for sharing some race day tips. He’s preparing to run the Berlin Marathon for the fifth time this fall.
Expect the course to be jam-packed, loud, and filled with crowd support. Past participants said that the course is loud but not as loud as New York City or Chicago.
The first thing you may think about a European city is cobblestone streets, but there will be none to worry about in Berlin! The roads should be smooth and provide a fast race!
Course Markers
Learn to speak metric; there are no mile markers on the course, only kilometer markers. We’ve all run 5ks and 10ks so you already have the basics.
Train to run the race in 5k chunks. These markers are very prominent on the course because they contain timing clocks.
Even Pacing
With a mostly flat course, it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement and take off too fast, but resist the urge.
Sticking to an even pace gives you the best shot at feeling strong all the way through. Instead of surging early, settle into a rhythm that you can hold comfortably.
This steady effort helps you conserve energy, avoid the dreaded wall, and finish with strong, especially if you’re chasing a PR or running your first marathon.
We’ve put together this marathon pacing chart in both miles and kilometers to help.
Miles 1-3
Prepare for at least the first 2k if not more to be super jam packed. This is where you really want to focus on not weaving and keeping your eye on the blue line if possible.
Runners last year said the first bit of the race was shoulder to shoulder and at times a little difficult to get settled into a groove.
Don’t stress, it’ll open up the farther you get into the race and you’ll be able to settle in.
Miles 4-14
Take in everything around you during this section of the race. You’re going to run by some incredible architecture.
Some of the things that you’ll see are Berlin Cathedral, Alexanderplatz square, and the famous World Clock.
Miles 15-23
This is where you’ll experience some of the “hillier” sections of the course. We put it in quotes because the gain is so small, you probably would barely notice it on a normal day.
Since this is later in the race, your body will feel the change but just take tiny steps and use your arms to get you to the top.
And just remember, what goes up must come down, so you’ll get a nice treat on the downhills as you head into the final push to the Brandenburg Gate.
The Berlin Marathon course is known for world records being set almost every year, so these “hills” aren’t going to be that bad!
Final 800m
The Brandenburg Gate (Tor) is such a welcoming site down the home stretch and it is NOT THE FINISH LINE! You still have 800m to go.
Look for the photographers at the gate, flash a big smile and fun hand signs to give yourself that last boost to the finish!
Aid Stations
There will be at least 15 aid stations with water. In addition to that, every other station will have water, fruit, tea, and Maurten DRINK MIX 160.
At 27.5 KM, there will be Maurten Gel 100 in case you need a little boost as you get closer to the last parts of the marathon.
All drinks will be served in cups. Use your training to practice drinking while you’re running.
A tip from us coaches- to avoid waterboarding yourself, pinch the cup and take sips!
Limit Your Weaving
No matter where you start in such a crowded course, there’s going to be a need to pass people.
- Try not to make any massive weaves, this will add distance to your race
- Just move slightly to the side and keep going
- If you run into a large pileup, it’s probably a pace group. Try to move to the side to get away from the pacer if you don’t like all the jostling.
Stick to the Blue Line
Look for the blue line and try to run as close to it as possible throughout the race. This will help you run the tangents, which means the best chance of only running 26.2.
Berlin Marathon FAQS
The Berlin Marathon website has a lot of information, but here are a few of the more popular questions around race weekend.
Do You Have to Qualify for the Berlin Marathon?
No. It’s a lottery system. So you’ll put your name in when the lottery opens (a few weeks after the marathon) and then wait a few months to find out if you were one of the randomly selected who get to race the next year.
- Charity Runner: Make your 26.2 miles mean a little more by raising money for a charity. There is a list of charities that have partnered with the Berlin Marathon and have set fundraising goals to receive a secure race entry. The fundraising goals that need to be met will vary by charity.
- Tour Operators: if you didn’t get in through the lottery, there are different packages that you can purchase from tour groups that will come with a Berlin Marathon bib. Just like the lottery, these spots go very quickly!
- Fast runners can use a time qualifier to apply during a set period.
- If you’ve participated in the Berlin Marathon for 10 consecutive years, you join the Jubilee Club and get to skip entering the lottery.
Are Hydration Vest Allowed?
Yes, you’re allowed to carry your own hydration. Here’s the specific guidelines from the Berlin Marathon website:
- Hydration packs or vests with the following dimensions:
- back compartment with a maximum volume of 3 liters for holding hydration bladders
- Front pockets for water bottles (max. 0.5 liters each)
- Front pockets for small items (cell phone, keys, etc.)
- Drinking belt:
- Pockets for water bottles (max. 0.5 liters each)
- Pockets for small items (cell phone, keys, etc.)
If you need recommendations, check out our tested running handheld bottles and running belts >>
DO NOT skimp on your hydration because of this. Getting low on sodium and overall hydration will impact your race.
What is the Berlin Marathon Cut Off?
The Berlin Marathon does have a 6:15 cut-off time. This is from the time you cross the starting mat, not when the first person crosses the mat.
If you have not reached 33 KM by 3:50pm or 38 KM by 4:35pm you will get pulled from the course and directed to the sweeper bus. Those who do not finish, will not receive a medal or post-finish goodies.
There are course sweepers who will follow behind and if they feel that you’re not going to make the cutoffs, will ask you to leave the course.
Are there pacers?
Yes, pacers will wear a pacer flag with the corresponding finish times. Each wave will have the following pacers:
In wave 1 for 3:00 – 3:15 – 3:30 hours
In wave 2 for 3:00 – 3:15 – 3:30 – 3:45 hours
In wave 3 for 3:30 – 3:45 – 4:00 – 4:15 hours
In wave 4 for 3:45 – 4:00 – 4:15 – 4:30 – 4:45 – 5:00 hours
How Big is the Berlin Marathon?
World Marathon Majors are getting bigger and bigger every year. In 2024, Berlin set a record with 54,280 finishers.
With the numbers increasing every year, this means that courses are becoming crowded. Plan for this but avoid weaving too much so that you’re GPS doesn’t get ahead and you’re not wasting too much energy.
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