World-Class Marathon Runner Sabastian Sawe to compete at BMW BERLIN-MARATHON
Sabastian Sawe, who currently is arguably the world's best marathon runner, has made his decision: for what will be only his third marathon start, the 29-year-old Kenyan has decided this fall to take to the streets in the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON on September 21.
© SCC EVENTS / Tilo Wiedensohler
A Thrilling Race Guaranteed
Mark Milde, Race Director of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, commented: “We are very pleased that Sabastian Sawe appreciates the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON and its course. He already proved how well he performs on the capital’s asphalt with his impressive victory at the 2023 GENERALI BERLIN HALF MARATHON. One thing is certain: the race will be very exciting!” Sawe ran his personal best of 2:02:05 at his marathon debut in Valencia in 2024 and claimed victory in London in April 2025 with a time of 2:02:27.
Tough Competition Among the Men
Milkesa Mengesha is returning to the race where he celebrated the greatest success of his career so far. The 25-year-old Ethiopian won the 50th BMW BERLIN-MARATHON last year with his still-standing personal best of 2:03:17—improving by more than two minutes. Joining the field is Gabriel Geay, the Tanzanian marathon record holder. The 28-year-old ran 2:03:00 in Valencia three years ago, finishing second. After a less successful 2024, he made a strong comeback with a win in Daegu (South Korea) in February, clocking 2:05:20.
Top Female Runners with Great Potential
The women’s field also features several elite runners. Rosemary Wanjiru returns to the German capital, where her impressive marathon career began in 2022. The Kenyan finished second in Berlin with a time of 2:18:00 on her debut. Six months later, she won the Tokyo Marathon, and in 2024 she was runner-up there with her current personal best of 2:16:14.
Another standout athlete is Degitu Azimeraw, who has already run well under 2:20:00 multiple times. The 24-year-old Ethiopian delivered her best performance to date in London in 2021, surprising with a second-place finish in 2:17:58. Mestawut Fikir, also from Ethiopia, is returning to the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON as well. After winning her marathon debut in Paris last year, the 25-year-old improved her time in Berlin, finishing second in 2:18:48.
Berlin Sets the Benchmark in Running
Berlin has seen a total of 13 marathon world records—more than any other marathon worldwide. Jürgen Lock, CEO of SCC EVENTS, on the future of the event after celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024 in Berlin, the sports capital: “In the coming years, we will continue to focus on the unique conditions and the fast course for the world’s best marathon runners. No other race worldwide has recorded as many world records since 1998 as Berlin. As a co-founder of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, we are setting standards in the world of running.” In addition to the many elite athletes (more announcements to follow in the coming weeks), organizer SCC EVENTS expects over 50,000 runners from all around the world to take part in the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON.
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1.) Sebastian Sawe at GENERALI BERLINER HALBMARATHON
Photo credit: SCC EVENTS_Tilo Wiedensohler
2.) Rosemary Wanjiru at BMW BERLIN-MARATHON
Photo credit: SCC EVENTS_Tilo Wiedensohler
3. ) Milkesa Mengesha at BMW BERLIN-MARATHON
Photo credit: SCC EVENTS_Jean Marc Wiesner
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BMW GERMANY - A STRONG PARTNER FOR RUNNING.
BMW has been the title sponsor of Germany's biggest marathon since 2011. At this running event, the world's elite come together to top the current best times.
Strength. Endurance. Efficiency. These are not only the most important attributes of a runner, but also apply to BMW's sustainable vehicles. BMW has been setting standards in sustainability for years and successfully demonstrates them at the BMW BERLIN MARATHON. But also before the event BMW accompanies the running community in their preparation and emphasizes the joy of running. With the perennial RUN FOR JOY campaign, BMW, supports the athletes in their preparation - together they make the impossible possible. The lead vehicle, the new BMW i5 supports the runners on the course. It has exactly the qualities needed for a successful marathon run: intelligent and responsible use of resources. And it is precisely with these skills that the all-electric vehicle guides the runners safely, purposefully and in an environmentally friendly manner through the capital.
More than 50 vehicles and around 15 scooters of the C evolution class are part of the fleet of support vehicles provided by BMW for the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON. In addition to the iX as a safety car, the latest i-models from the car manufacturer are also in use as shuttle and organization vehicles. With this commitment, BMW supports the sustainable development of modern technology and the sport of running.
adidas
Everything at adidas reflects the spirit of our founder, Adi Dassler. Improving the athlete’s performance was his goal; today, his legacy continues with the consumer at the heart of everything the adidas brand does.
The number of runners in Germany is constantly increasing. No matter where they come from, they all have the same goal: Improve. Better runners, better athletes and in the end a better version of themselves.
adidas Running has something for everyone – we want help each person achieve their individual goals. What counts is personal development, which goes far beyond the personal best.
Abbott
At Abbott, our 114,000 employees in more than 160 countries are devoted to advancing life-changing technologies that help people achieve their full potential. Our medical devices, diagnostic tools and nutrition products are designed to enable individuals to reach their personal best, however they define it. By sponsoring the Abbott World Marathon Majors, a series of the six largest and most renowned marathons in the world, including the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, we are not just celebrating the pinnacle of physical endurance and determination – we are reinforcing our commitment to improving lives. The Abbott World Marathon Majors are a testament to health and the human spirit at their finest, showcasing that with the right support and determination, every finish line is within reach.
More on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews and @AbbottGlobal.
Zalando
Are you ready to take your running to the next level? As the official sponsor of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, Zalando is here to help you reach your goals. Running a marathon is challenging enough - you need the right equipment to feel completely comfortable. Our functional sportswear can do much more than just look good: From marathon training to relaxed runs - find your perfect outfit at Zalando and run with us!
GENERALI
Generali Germany has been our partner since 2018. The insurance group is part of the international Generali Group and thus also part of a company that is over 190 years old, its history and its heritage. In 2017, the company launched a new sponsorship strategy - “Generali moves Germany”.
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About 9 million customers are insured with the companies of Generali Germany, which include the brands Generali, CosmosDirekt and Dialog in the life, health and property/casualty segments. Generali's objective is to be a lifetime partner for its customers, offering innovative, individual solutions and services thanks to an excellent sales network in exclusive and direct sales as well as in the broker channel. Generali Germany is part of the "Germany, Austria and Switzerland" (DACH) business unit, which was newly created in 2022.
ERDINGER Alkoholfrei
ERDINGER Alkoholfrei refreshes all finishers behind the finish line. ERDINGER Alkoholfrei is the ideal beverage after sports: isotonic, rich in vitamins, and low in calories. And ERDINGER Alkoholfrei has only 125 kcl per 0.5-liter bottle! Because a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle are important!
EY
As official Partner and Sustainability Consultant of the BMW BERLIN MARATHON, EY aims to further advance the sustainable transformation in sports. To this end and together with the event organizer SCC Events, EY will develop a concept to make the marathon as sustainable as possible.
Also beyond the course, we go the extra mEYle every day: EY is one of the major German professional services organizations with more than 11,000 employees at 20 locations. Working across Assurance, Consulting, Law, Tax, Strategy and Transactions, EY teams ask better questions to find new answers for the complex issues facing our world today.
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Revolut
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NORQAIN
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Samsung
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Maurten
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VILSA
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