Top Stars Complete the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON Field for Thrilling Races
- Elite fields grow further
- German national records within reach
- Marathon Team Berlin
- Media accreditation now open
- Sustainability report online
As announced by SCC EVENTS—the organizer of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON—in mid-May, world record holder Sabastian Sawe will take to the start line in Berlin on 27 September. In mid-June, SCC EVENTS also unveiled a star-studded women's field featuring world record holder Tigst Assefa, Rosemary Wanjiru, and Germany’s Esther Pfeiffer. Since then, further renowned athletes have joined the entry list.
International Top Stars Bolster Men’s Field
Gabriel Geay, Tanzania’s marathon record holder, is set to race in Berlin. The 29-year-old clocked 2:03:00 hours to finish second in Valencia in 2022, retaining his spot among the 20 fastest marathon runners in history. Geay also finished runner-up at the Boston Marathon in 2023.
Guye Adola is another athlete who set his marathon personal best in Berlin. On his debut in 2017, he delivered a stunning performance to finish second behind superstar Eliud Kipchoge in 2:03:46 hours. After that, the now 35-year-old was repeatedly sidelined by injuries, but he went on to win the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON in 2021. However, he made an impressive comeback this spring with a victory at the Rotterdam Marathon, narrowly missing his Berlin PB with a time of 2:03:54 hours.
Marathon Team Berlin Sets Sights on German Personal Bests
Johannes Motschmann is aiming for another attempt at breaking the 2:10:00 mark at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON. His current personal best stands at 2:10:39 hours. The Marathon Team Berlin runner has faced bad luck on several occasions, preventing him from fulfilling his full potential. After an impressive performance at the GENERALI BERLIN HALF MARATHON in the spring, running 61:47 minutes, an injury forced him to withdraw early from the Hanover Marathon shortly after.
Sebastian Hendel, also representing Marathon Team Berlin, is likewise targeting a successful comeback in the German capital. Two years ago, he surprised many at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON with a personal best of 2:07:33 hours. However, health issues and injuries subsequently stalled further progress.
Aaron Bienenfeld (Düsseldorf Athletics) made his marathon debut in Hamburg in late April, making an immediate impact with a strong time of 2:08:47 hours. This marked the fastest marathon debut ever by a German runner—a potential already hinted at by his performances over shorter distances. His display in Hamburg raises hopes for further progression, potentially as early as the upcoming BMW BERLIN-MARATHON.
Haftom Welday (TB Hamburg Eilbeck) improved his personal best to 2:08:13 hours at the Barcelona Marathon this spring. The 36-year-old, who finished 14th at the 2023 World Championships and is currently preparing in Ethiopia, aims to lower his personal best even further on 27 September.
World-Class Women’s Field Reinforced
Bedatu Hirpa adds further strength to the top-tier women’s field. The 27-year-old Ethiopian won the Dubai Marathon last year with a personal best of 2:18:27 hours before triumphing at the Paris Marathon just a few months later. Earlier this year, she finished second at the Osaka Marathon in 2:19:54 hours.
German Women on the Rise
Much like her husband, Kristina Hendel (Marathon Team Berlin) is looking to rediscover her top form at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON. She set her personal best of 2:27:29 hours four years ago in Hamburg. Since then, her progress has been repeatedly sidelined by injury.
Anna Langerwisch (Marathon Team Berlin) achieved a major breakthrough at the Prague Marathon this year, recording a time of 2:32:13 hours. In what was only her second marathon, the 24-year-old firmly established herself in the upper echelons of German distance running. She had previously won the Hanover Half Marathon in 70:53 minutes. Showing that she has plenty more to give, she clocked a strong 32:17 minutes over ten kilometres at the adidas Runners City Night in early August.
Sustainability Report Published by SCC EVENTS
It is not only the elite fields that bring encouraging news. Insight into the ongoing activities and progress made by SCC EVENTS (organizer of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON) in the area of sustainability can be found in its recently published Sustainability Report for 2025 (PDF). For the first time, the report covers the company in its entirety, evaluating its office and warehouse locations alongside all of its sporting events.
The report highlights initiatives and developments across key areas, including environmental protection, social responsibility, economic viability, and corporate governance. Under social engagement, the report reveals that events organized by SCC EVENTS generated a total of €10.24 million in donations for charitable projects in 2025.
