09/19/2025 BMW BERLIN-MARATHON

Thrilling men’s race expected at BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2025

Almost 80,000 participants are expected at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON across the various competitions on Saturday and Sunday. For them, the most important stop before the start is bib number pick-up at the MARATHON EXPO – this year held at Messe Berlin, conveniently accessible via the Messe Süd S-Bahn station. No parking is available on site. But the MARATHON EXPO also offers companions and fans countless opportunities: on 30,000 square meters, exhibitors from 128 countries present a wide variety of products and experiences.

Group photo of international female runners; Berlin Cathedral in the background.

^{© SCC EVENTS / Marlene Pfau}

Strong Voices, Strong Resonance: Panel on Women in Running

The share of women at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON continues to grow: this year, around 35 percent of the participants are women. The increase is particularly strong among younger runners – in the 26–30 age group, women make up as much as 45 percent. The message is clear: more and more women are discovering running for themselves and are shaping the face of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON in a lasting way.

Already yesterday afternoon, the organizers from SCC EVENTS put women in running in the spotlight – not only during the official press conference but also through a special event. Under the title “From Start Line to Visibility – Do Women Need More Space or More Reach?”, prominent female runners, trailblazers, activists, and media professionals came together to discuss the role and visibility of women in the sport.

Among the speakers was Kathrine Switzer, pioneer of women’s running, who in 1967 became the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon. Together with Edith Zuschmann, founder of 261 Fearless, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing women worldwide with access to running and education, Switzer continues her tireless advocacy for greater participation and visibility of women in sport. Kenyan elite runner Viola Cheptoo shared her activism against gender-based violence, which she began after the tragic death of her friend Agnes Tirop. Physician and running influencer Maike Lea Nitsch (@princessmaikelea) encouraged participants not to let social expectations and beauty ideals create pressure.

Everyone agreed: exchange, mutual support, and visibility are key. The event radiated a palpable spirit of momentum – full of energy, inspiration, and mutual respect. When so many strong women come together, they not only share moving stories but also spark new ideas and initiatives that can sustainably change the sport of running. Photos are available in the press section.

Important in Warm Weather: The Golden Rules of Temperature Management

The weather forecast points to warm conditions this weekend. On Sunday, peak temperatures of up to 24°C are expected. Especially important: “Runners should already start increasing their fluid intake in the days leading up to the race,” emphasizes Jürgen Lock, CEO of SCC EVENTS. On race day: wear a light cap, drink enough along the course, and start the race conservatively. Personal bests should not be the priority under such warm conditions.

The golden rules of temperature management summarize the most important guidelines before, during, and after the race. For interview requests, SCC EVENTS experts are available at any time.

From left to right: Gabriel Gerald Geay, Sabastian Sawe, and Milkesa Mengesha hold up their race numbers for the camera.

^{Sabastian Sawe, Milkesa Mengesha, and Gabriel Gerald Geay are the favorites at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2025. © SCC EVENTS / Petko Beier}

Sebastian Sawe chases Berlin course record

Can Sabastian Sawe follow in the footsteps of Eliud Kipchoge in Berlin and how fast can he run? Kenya's running legend Kipchoge has won the BMW BERLIN MARATHON five times, setting two world records in the process: he ran 2:01:39 in 2018 and 2:01:09 in 2022. It is this course record set by Kipchoge that Sabastian Sawe wants to challenge on Sunday, provided the weather does not turn too warm. If he attacks Kipchoge’s mark, the world record of 2:00:35 would not be too far away.

“I am in good shape. Berlin has the fastest course, so I want to run fast here,“ said 30-year-old Sabastian Sawe, who clocked 2:02:05 in Valencia last December and became the fifth fastest runner of all time in his debut marathon. In April Sawe also took the prestigious London Marathon with 2:02:27 and again heads the current list of the fastest times in the year. He already has very good experiences from a road race in the German capital: In 2023 Sabastian Sawe won the GENERALI BERLIN HALF MARATHON. His Italian coach Claudio Berardelli as well as his manager Eric Lilot say that Sabastian Sawe is in exceptionally good shape. However what is possible on Sunday in Berlin will also depend on the weather. Currently relatively warm temperatures between 19 and 21 Celsius are forecasted.

A year ago Milkesa Mengesha celebrated the greatest triumph of his career at the 50th BMW BERLIN MARATHON. The Ethiopian was the surprise winner of the anniversary race and improved his personal best to an impressive 2:03:17. “I am better prepared than I was a year ago and hope to run faster,“ said the 25-year-old. Gabriel Geay is the second fastest runner on the start list with his Tanzanian national record of 2:03:00. “I am happy to have the chance to compete in Berlin. I think I can run a personal best,“ said Gabriel Geay. Japan's Kengo Suzuki also wants to attack his own national record of 2:04:56.

The organisers of the BMW BERLIN MARATHON intend to further strengthen their position as the fastest marathon in the world. To determine this ranking, the average of the ten fastest times ever run in a race is calculated. The BMW BERLIN MARATHON tops the list with 2:02:33.8 and has been in this position since 2006.

From left to right: Haftom Welday, Hendrik Pfeiffer, and Sebastian Hendel hold up their race numbers for the camera.

^{Hendrik Pfeiffer, Sebastian Hendel, and Haftom Welday are part of the national elite field at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2025. © SCC EVENTS / Petko Beier}

Germans Pfeiffer, Hendel and Welday aim for sub 2:07 times

Hendrik Pfeiffer returns to the BMW BERLIN MARATHON in top shape. The 32-year-old set two personal bests in the last two months: first he won the adidas runners City Night 10k race in Berlin with 28:27, then he clocked 61:28 at the half marathon in Larne, Northern Ireland. “My training was really good and for the first time ever I had no problems at all. I am in the best shape of my life. My goal is to run under 2:07:00,“ said Hendrik Pfeiffer, who currently is the fourth fastest German of all times with his PB of 2:07:14.

Sebastian Hendel, who competes for the Marathon Team Berlin that is associated with the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, produced a surprise a year ago when he was the fastest German in Berlin with a PB of 2:07:33. “I was able to train well in the summer. Of course it depends a bit on the weather, but I am optimistic to run a personal best and would like to go sub 2:07:00,“ said the 29-year-old, who is fifth on the German all-time list.

Haftom Welday and Johannes Motschmann, another athlete of Marathon Team Berlin, could also produce fine performances, going into the race with personal bests of 2:08:24 and 2:10:39 respectively. “I am well prepared, hoping for a steady race and a finishing time of under 2:07:00,“ said Haftom Welday.

From left to right: Manuela Schär, Marcel Hug, and Tatyana McFadden hold up their race numbers for the camera.

^{Manuela Schär, Tatyana McFadden, and Marcel Hug are among the favorites in the wheelchair racing competition at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2025. © SCC EVENTS / Petko Beier}

Wheelchair Competitors and Handbikers

With Marcel Hug (Switzerland), the world’s best wheelchair Competitors will once again be competing at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON. The 39-year-old has already won the race eight times. “After Boston, London, and Sydney, I now also want to win in Berlin this year,” said Marcel Hug, who will line up as the absolute top favorite in Berlin. Among the women, the favorite also comes from Switzerland: Manuela Schär has already won the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON six times. “Berlin feels like a home race for me,” said the Swiss athlete, who will be competing against, among others, Tatyana McFadden (USA).

From left to right: Vico Merklein, Heinz Frei, and Julia Dierkesmann hold up their race numbers for the camera.

^{The handbike elite at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2025 includes Julia Dierkesmann, Vico Merklein, and Heinz Frei. © SCC EVENTS / Petko Beier}

Among the handbikers, two BMW BERLIN-MARATHON legends count among the favorites: now 67 years old, Swiss athlete Heinz Frei was for many years one of the world’s best wheelchair competitos. He won in Berlin twenty times between 1985 and 2013, before switching to the handbikers in 2021. “From time to time I still compete – and especially love to do so in Berlin,” said Heinz Frei. Berlin’s 48-year-old Vico Merklein, who has won the handcycling competition seven times, will ride the final race of his career on Sunday at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON. “There’s more to life than racing,” said Vico Merklein, who will also celebrate a special milestone: it will be his 20th start at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON. Among the women, defending champion Francesca Porcellato (Italy) is the favorite.