Berlin Marathon
How to get in, and where to stay
Berlin Marathon is run in Berlin in September. Entry is by public ballot. There are 4 realistic ways in, 3 of which do not involve paying an operator.
Berlin is the fastest marathon course in the world and holds the world record for good reason. It is flat, wide, smooth and run in ideal late-September conditions. If you want a personal best at a Major, this is the one to target.
How to get into the Berlin Marathon
The catch nobody tells you
Berlin sells out its non-ballot routes early because it is the personal-best race everyone wants. If a specific year matters, secure a route as soon as the ballot result lands rather than waiting to see what is left.
The ballot
The ballot normally opens in the autumn for the following September, roughly a year ahead, with results before the end of that year.
Public ballot
Open to allDrawn at random. Entering as a group is possible, and the group either all get in or all miss out.
Qualifying time
QualificationA time-based route for faster runners that bypasses the ballot entirely.
Charity or club place
FundraisingA limited number of guaranteed places through partner charities and running clubs.
Tour operator package
PaidTour operators hold a small allocation of guaranteed entries that are sold with accommodation as a package. It is the only route that does not depend on luck or a qualifying time, and it is why most rejected ballot applicants end up here.
What you are actually running
A flat loop through the centre of Berlin on wide, smooth roads with very few sharp turns, finishing through the Brandenburg Gate.
Personal best potential
The best of any Major. It is the world record course, and the combination of flat roads, wide start and cool late-September air makes it the reliable choice for a fast time.
Route at a glance
- Start
- Strasse des 17. Juni, Tiergarten
- Finish
- Through the Brandenburg Gate
- Terrain
- Flat and smooth with long straights, the least technical course of the Majors.
On the way
- Tiergarten
- Potsdamer Platz
- Berlin Cathedral
- Unter den Linden
- Brandenburg Gate finish
Weather and atmosphere
Race day weather
Late September in Berlin is usually cool and dry, often between 10 and 18 degrees, which is close to ideal marathon weather.
Crowds and support
Strong throughout and very concentrated in the final kilometre approaching the Brandenburg Gate. The city is compact enough that spectators can see runners three or four times on foot and by U-Bahn.
Where to stay
Book a hotel near the Berlin Marathon start
On race morning the only thing that matters is how far you are from the start. These are the areas that make the morning simple, with live rates on your dates.
Mitte
Walk to start and finish
Walking distance to both start and finish, which is unusual among the Majors and removes all race-morning transport risk.
Potsdamer Platz and Tiergarten
On the course
On the course and beside the park, quiet on race eve and immediate afterwards.
Charlottenburg
Short ride to both
Better value, a short U-Bahn ride in, and a calmer base for a longer stay.
Getting there
Berlin Brandenburg connects well to the centre. Both the start and finish are in Tiergarten, so a single hotel choice covers both ends of the race.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Berlin the fastest marathon?
The course is flat, the roads are wide and smooth with few sharp turns, and late-September weather in Berlin is usually cool and still. Multiple world records have been set there.
How do I enter the Berlin Marathon ballot?
The ballot normally opens in the autumn for the following September and is drawn at random. You can apply as a group, in which case everyone in the group is accepted or rejected together.
What if I miss the Berlin ballot?
A qualifying time bypasses the ballot, and there are limited charity, club and tour operator routes. These fill early because Berlin is the race most runners target for a personal best.
Where should I stay for the Berlin Marathon?
Mitte, because the start and finish are both in Tiergarten and you can walk to each. That is rare among the Majors and it removes race-morning transport entirely.
Other World Marathon Majors
Ballot windows and entry rules change every year. Always confirm the current details with the official race before booking travel.