Start
Sunday, September 27, 2026
Start times
8.20 am Handbiker (Tops)
8.26 am Wheelchair athlete (Elite)
8.29 am Handbike and wheelchair athletes
from 08.45 am Runners (in 6 waves)
Location
The start is on Straße des 17. Juni, between the Brandenburg Gate and the “Kleiner Stern”.
Note
The race will take place regardless of the weather, unless a weather warning form the German Weather Service exists.
Schedule and course are subject to change.
Arrival
We ask you to use public transportation.
Your bib number is valid from September 24 to 27 as a ticket for public transportation (in fare zones A, B, and C). The bib number must of course be carried with you. You will receive further information on the included 4-day ticket by email with your start card in mid-September 2026.
Public transport stops near the start and finish area
- U-Bahn (Subway): Unter den Linden, Brandenburger Tor, Bundestag, Potsdamer Platz
- S-Bahn: Brandenburger Tor, Berlin Main Station, Potsdamer Platz
- Regional rail: Berlin Main Station, Potsdamer Platz
You can find current timetables and further information at: sbahn.berlin/en/ or www.bvg.de/en
Disabled parking spaces
A limited number of car parking spaces (only available with an official special parking permit) are available on Altonaer Str. – in the direction from Großer Stern toward Hansaplatz. In this section accessible restrooms are available.
Additional parking spaces may be found on Fasanenstraße, near Charlottenburger Tor.
Entrance to event site
For security reasons, only participants with an official bib number and athlete wristband, which will be tied around your wrist before you pick up your race material at the EXPO, can enter the start & finish area.
For runners, there are two entrances to the event grounds:
- Platz der Republik, directly across from the Reichstag building: Access for all runners
- Bremer Weg: Access is limited to runners who meet all of the following criteria:
- Purple bib number
- Poncho symbol on the bib number
- Not part of starting block K
Handcyclists and wheelchair athletes can access the event grounds at Großer Stern via the northern lane of “Straße des 17. Juni” and the northern sidewalk.
Entrance times
- Starting blocks A, B, C: 7:00 am
- Starting blocks D, E: 7:30 am
- Starting blocks F, G: 8:00 am
- Starting blocks H, J: 8:30 am
- Starting block K: 9:00 am
Technical wheelchair service
The company “Seeger - Das Gesundheitshaus” will be available to provide technical wheelchair service on September 27th, 2026:
- in the starting area starting at 7:00 a.m.
- along the course in case of breakdowns, with a service vehicle
Please have appropriate tires and, if necessary, other spare parts ready.
If it is not possible to complete the race, an accessible transport vehicle will be available to take you to the finish area. A transport vehicle will accompany the race ahead of the leading runners and provide transportation.
Transportation is only possible ahead of the field of runners; it is no longer possible from within the field! Any necessary requests must then be made through the course marshals.
Starting line-up and Start Times for wheelchair athletes and handbikers
The instructions for the starting positions will begin at 8:00 a.m. Anyone who arrives late will be placed at the back of the queue. Lineup for the start will be complete for everyone by 8:15 a.m.
Starting times
- 8:20 a.m. Handbiker with blue bib numbers start on the left side (southbound lane)
- 8:26 a.m. wheelchair athletes with pink bib numbers start on the right side (northbound lane)
- 8:29 a.m. Handbiker with white bib numbers start on the left side (southbound lane)
- 8:29 a.m. Wheelchair athletes with orange bib numbers start on the right side (northbound lane)
The roadway is always viewed in the direction of travel.
Failure to comply with the lane assignments on the starting grid may result in the participant’s disqualification.
This year, the starting line for wheelchair athletes and handbiker is located a few meters in front of the starting gate. However, the course length remains unchanged due to an additional curve before the Gotzkowsky Bridge.
Time limit & cut-off point
- Time limit 6:15 h
- Cut-off point at 3:40 pm at KM 33
Participants who are slower than the time limit of 6:15 hours (from crossing the start line), or dont reach the Cut-off point on time must leave the official route and will be driven to the finish in the “broom bus”. Continuing the competition at your own risk is not permitted. In this case, the organizer's liability is limited exclusively to participants who make use of the “broom bus” service.
Official finish time is 5:00 pm. Crossing the finish line after that is no longer possible.
Only participants who can show all split times and cross the finish line within the time limit will receive an official result and a medal, refreshments, massage and, if applicable, a poncho at the finish.
Pacer
To help you achieve your desired time, pacemakers will be clearly visible across all start waves.
They carry pacer flags with the corresponding finish time.
- Starting blocks B, C: 3:00 / 3:15 hours
- Starting block D: 3:15 / 3:30 hours
- Starting block E: 3:30 hours
- Starting block F: 3:30 / 3:45 hours
- Starting blocks G, H: 3:45 / 4:00 hours
- Starting block J: 4:00 /4:15 / 4:30 hours
- Starting block K: 4:15 / 4:30 / 4:45 / 5:00 / 5:15 / 5:30 / 5:45 / 6:00 hours
Subject to change
Note: The pacer times listed in the race briefing have been updated. The times shown here are current.
Clothing drop-off
Clothing drop-off is only possible for those participants who have booked the “clothing drop-off” when registering and have received a clothing bag and label with their bib number at the race material pick up. All others will receive a warm poncho at the finish (recognizable by a corresponding symbol on the bib number).
Clothing donation
On race day, you can stay warm in the pre-start zone with your hoodies, training jackets etc. and then donate them on site. Place the items over the bars or throw them into the marked containers. The Berliner Stadtmission collects your donations and passes them on to people living on the street in its clothing store.
Tracking settings
Participants can only change their tracking settings through their personal user account. The following settings are available in your user account:
Private: You do not want to be tracked. If you select this option, your name will not be shown in the search in the tracking area of the event website or the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2024-App and will only be published in the results list together with your ranking in the race.
Public: Everyone can follow your race via the live results on the event website or in the MARATHON App.
Code: You decide who can follow your race via the live results on the event website or in the MARATHON App. Share your tracking code with your supporters. This code will be requested when searching in the tracking area of the app or on the website.
Timekeeping
Timekeeping is exclusively done with the MIKA TAG. The MIKA TAG is a transponder attached to the back of the bib number. The time is measured as usual by crossing the timing system at the start and finish.
In order to guarantee timekeeping, the TAG / transponder must not be bent.
As this is a “disposable transponder”, there is no need to return it. There is also no rental fee, as the costs are already included in the participation fee.
Wheelchair athletes and handbikers
Wheelchair athletes and handbikers will receive two MIKA TAGs. One MIKA TAG is attached to the back of the race number; the second should be secured to the sports equipment with cable ties.
Results
You can find your result in the results list under Your race > Results. You can also download your certificate there.
Rating:
The first 50 male and female runners will be rated by gun time
Result corrections:
If you have worn your bib number correctly and still cannot find yourself in the results list or your time is incorrect, get in touch via our contact form.
In your interest, please give us time to check the case carefully. We will get back to you as soon as possible.
Self-catering
- If you wish, we can bring your own refreshments to the individual refreshment points. Please deliver your container marked with your name, bib number and refreshment point (no glass!) to the “own refreshment” stand by 7:45 am. at the latest. (A truck will be parked outside the fenced area Annemarie-Renger-Str. / Otto-von-Bismarck-Allee).
- Use your own hydration system (hydration pack/vest/belt) to keep you hydrated during the race. This will also help you to avoid plastic waste. A refill station is set up at all refreshment.
You can find an overview of the refreshment points on the interactive course map.
Changing tents, showers and massage
There are changing rooms and hot water showers in the start/finish area.
Please note, if you want to shower, you should take your clothes with you in the morning, because once you have left the area, you are no longer allowed to enter it.
From kilometer point 25, every 5 km we have set up stations at which you can get a massage. After the finish there is a comprehensive free massage service for all participants. It works on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Age group winner
Age group winners from age over 40 from the current year will receive a free race entry for the following year!
According to the WKO/DRIV, age group winners for inline skaters will only be ranked in the “Fitness” category and on the basis of gross time.
The free race entry can only be claimed in the following year. We will send the winners all registration information and an access code automatically by e-mail as soon as the registration is possible.
Further information for wheelchair athletes and handcyclists
There is a dedicated lead vehicle for both wheelchair athletes and handbiker.
Danger spots are marked with warning flags.
Accessible restrooms are available at all refreshment points.
Attention: Tram tracks at KM 8 and KM 38.
You cannot start without a helmet.
For wheelchair athletes and handbiker, there is a finish line on the roadway with two 4-meter-wide gates.
Timing is recorded when you cross the timing mat at the finish line.
To ensure the best possible finish for the top runners, we ask you to use only the left finish gate if your “finish time” is 2:00h or longer.
We kindly ask you:
- Do not sprint toward the finish line, so as not to endanger yourself or others.
- Leave the finish area promptly to prevent congestion.
Refreshments after the finish line
After crossing the finish line and receiving your medal (at the intersection of Straße des 17. Juni and Yitzhak-Rabin-Str., heading toward Bremer Weg), you’ll find a refreshment station exclusively for wheelchair athletes and handbiker.
Return to the changing tents
Volunteers will be waiting for you at the refreshment station (intersection of Straße des 17. Juni and Yitzhak-Rabin-Str.). They will accompany you along Bremer Weg to the changing tents on the south side of the starting area. Your belongings will already be waiting for you there! See the wheelchair symbol on the map. The changing tents are staffed until 2:00 p.m.
The top three women and men (including wheelchair athletes and hand cyclists) will be honored shortly after crossing the finish line. Volunteers will take charge after the finish.
Due to the size of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, personal companions are not permitted in the immediate start/finish area. There are plenty of professional staff members on site who can be approached to provide assistance and information as needed.
- The State Commissioner for People with Disabilities: https://www.berlin.de/lb/behi/
- Access Points to the S-Bahn on the Rail Network: https://sbahn.berlin/en/
- Traveling Accessibly by S-Bahn: https://sbahn.berlin/en/plan-a-journey/rail-stations/accessible-travel/
- Elevator Malfunctions: https://sbahn.berlin/en/plan-a-journey/rail-stations/accessible-travel/elevator-and-es calator-outages/
- Subway, Bus, Tram: https://www.bvg.de/en
Prohibited items in the start / finish area
For safety reasons, the following items are prohibited in the start/finish area of the event site:
- Weapons of any kind, including objects that can be used as weapons, cutting, thrusting and stabbing weapons or as projectiles
- Gas spray cans, corrosive, flammable, coloring substances or containers with substances that are harmful to health or easily flammable (exception: commercially available pocket lighters)
- Bottles, cups, jugs, cans or other objects made of glass or other easily breakable materials
- Bulky objects such as ladders, stools, (folding) chairs, crates. Fireworks, flares, smoke powder and bombs or other pyrotechnic objects. Flag or banner poles that are longer than 1 m or have a diameter greater than 3 cm, as well as “double holders” (flags and banners brought along or approved must fall under the term “flame-retardant” in terms of their material)
- Mechanically operated noise instruments such as megaphones, gas pressure fanfares
- Laser pointers
- Large quantities of paper and paper rolls
- Bicycles
- animals
- Pieces of luggage
