BMW Berlin Marathon 2026

The 52nd BMW Berlin Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, September 27, 2026, with over 56,000 runners and more than 84,000 total participants, including wheelchair athletes and skaters, expected to take part. The event remains a significant economic driver for Berlin, following a reported value creation of approximately 469.4 million euros in 2024.

In the women’s field, Ethiopian star and current course record holder Tigst Assefa remains the primary contender. Assefa has expressed her intention to deliver a performance “better than my best” in an attempt to challenge the course record. She faces competition from Kenya’s Rosemary Wanjiru and Bedatu Hirpa, as well as Finland’s Alisa Vainio. Additionally, Germany’s Esther Pfeiffer is attempting to break the national record of 2:19:19.

The men’s competition has shifted following the withdrawal of world record holder Sabastian Sawe due to a shin injury. This has moved the focus away from a potential sub-two-hour attempt toward a competitive battle for the title among athletes such as Gabriel Geay, Guye Adola, and Selemon Barega. Organizers are targeting paces near 2:01:08 to challenge Eliud Kipchoge’s course record.

Logistical preparations involve extensive road closures across Berlin. These measures have drawn criticism from political figures, including CDU politician Julia Klöckner, who noted that city actions have occasionally hindered members of the Bundestag from reaching their workplaces during parliamentary sessions.