FAQ - BMW BERLIN-MARATHON

The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2024 will take place on 29.09.2024 for runners, handbikers and wheelchair athletes. Information on skating can be found here.

As with all events in the Abbott World Marathon Majors Series (AbbottWMM), race entries are allocated by lottery. Registration for the lottery took place from 28.09. to 16.11.2023. Registration is no longer possible. You can find further ways to a race entry via our:

• Charity partner
• Tour operators

Whether winner or loser, everyone will receive an e-mail with the result of the prize draw. It will be sent out on December 6. Please note that this process will take some time and you may not receive an email until the end of the day. To be on the safe side, we recommend that you also check your spam folder.

From December 6, the charge will be made by our service provider Adyen N.V.. The process can take up to a week, depending on the bank. If the amount has not been debited after this time, check your user account, where you have the option of entering a different payment method and the payment process will be retried. Your race entry will not be affected.

A change is not possible at this time. But if you are drawn and we cannot charge your payment method, a payment request will appear in your user account. There you can choose a new payment method. Your race entry will not be affected.

We can correct any typos or misspellings in your name or date of birth. Simply get in touch with us via the contact form and we will edit your details.

Please note: It is not possible to swap participants (complete name change)!

Has your address changed? You can edit it yourself in your user account under "My account".

• From the adidas event shirt to the medal engraving, you can reorder (almost) all extras and services via your user account under "My registrations > 2024 > BMW BERLIN-MARATHON > Products".
• This does not include insurance and the clothing drop off, which can only be booked directly at the time of registration.
• For adjustments or cancellations of individual products, please contact us via the contact form. Please note that the participation fee cannot be canceled or refunded.

After the draw, the race entries will be treated independently of each other. This means that your registration remains valid even if your team member is unable to take part.

You can adjust your best time in your user account under "My registrations" up to and including 23.09.2024.

The selection can no longer be changed once registration has been completed. A late booking is not possible.

• If you booked cancellation insurance when you registered, you can make use of it in your user account at “My Registrations”-> BMW BERLIN-MARATHON.
• We ask for your understanding that due to the logistical and organizational complexity of the event, participation fees cannot be refunded. You can find detailed information on this in our conditions of participation.
• Transfers to another person are not possible.

You will only receive your race material at the MARATHON EXPO.

The opening hours* are:

• Thursday, September 26th, 2024 3pm - 8pm
• Friday, September 27th, 2024 11am - 8pm
• Saturday, September 28th, 2024 9am - 7pm

*Subject to change

• You will need your Start Card and a photo document (identity card, passport or driver's license).
• You will receive your Start Card by e-mail up to 10 days before the event.

• No! You must collect your race material in person. It is not possible for someone else to collect the race material, not even with a power of attorney! It is also not possible to have the documents sent to you.
• When you pick up your race material, you will be given the official athlete wristband which, together with your bib number, grants you access to the start/finish area on race day. This ensures that only registered participants can take part in the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON.
• Please only remove your athlete wristband after your race when you have left the finish area.

You can also collect all pre-booked items from the event collection at the MARATHON EXPO 2024 with your race material. The additional services you have booked will be noted on your bib number or your Start Card.

At best, use public transportation.

• The nearest public transportation stops are:
  • U-Bahn: Friedrichstraße or Unter den Linden (U6), Brandenburger Tor or Bundestag (U5), Potsdamer Platz (U2)
  • S-Bahn: Hauptbahnhof or Friedrichstraße (S3, S5, S7, S75), Brandenburger Tor or Friedrichstraße (S1, S2, S25)
  • Regionalbahn: Hauptbahnhof (Central Station)
• From 26.9. (00:01) to 30.9. (03:00), all participants can use public transport in the ABC fare zone free of charge. You will receive your ticket from us by e-mail. Your race number is also valid as a ticket.

You can find current timetables and further information at: sbahn.berlin/en/ or www.bvg.de/en

• The start is on Straße des 17. Juni, near Bellevueallee. However, the entrance for runners is opposite the Reichstag building.
• Wheelchair users and handbikers can reach the start from the Siegessäule via the northern pedestrian path on Straße des 17.

You can find the start times for the various disciplines here*:

• Skater
  Saturday: 12:00 pm
• Handbikers and wheelchair athletes
  Sunday:
  • 08:50 am Elite
  • 08:56 am Wheelchair athletes
  • 08:59 am Handbikers
• Runners
  Sunday:
  • 09:15 am Startblocks A-B-C-D
  • 09:35 am Startblocks E-F
  • 10:05 am Startblocks G-H
  • 10:30 am Startblocks J-K

*Subject to change

• your personal bib number - clearly visible on your chest
• your athlete wristband
• as a skater, wheelchair user or handbiker: your helmet

race material pick up

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).

• Your personal belongings can only be handed in in the transparent BMW BERLIN-MARATHON clothing bag, unless they are on the list of prohibited items. Furthermore, no bags, rucksacks or other luggage can be taken into the start/finish area.
• Avoid bringing valuables, we are not liable for losses.

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.

If you booked a poncho when you registered for the race, you will receive one after you cross the finish line. The distribution points and your bib number are marked with the poncho symbol. Please note that it is not possible to drop-off in this case.

The letter on your bib number corresponds to the starting block (A-K) that is allocated for you.

The allocation is based on your marathon best or finish time, which you entered when registering and can still change in your user account under "My registrations" up to and including 23.09.2024. We only accept finisher times from an official marathon or half marathon. For marathon times faster than 3:15:01 h and half marathon times under 1:35:01 h, official proof (certificate or link to the results list) from the last three years must be provided.

It is not possible to change the starting block at the MARATHON EXPO.

Pacemakers who run an average pace for a specific target time are distributed across all start waves. They carry flags and wear a T-shirt with the words PACE 3:00, 3:15, 3:30, 3:45, 4:00, 4:15, 4:30 or 5:00.

No, the start/finish area is only accessible to officially registered participants. To cheer you on from the first few meters, your relatives can use the grandstand directly behind the start. There are also grandstands directly in front of the finish line.

Race day for spectators

• Timekeeping is done exclusively 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 mat at the start and finish. (There is also split times mats every 5km)
• In order to guarantee timekeeping, the TAG / transponder must not be bent.
• As it 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.

• Any accompanying vehicles (cars, e-scooters, bicycles and motorcycles)
• pushchairs of any kind
• Roller skates, inline skates, skateboards or other rolling devices are not permitted in the runners' race

Please note: The international federation World Athletics prohibits the wearing of headphones during running competitions.

Refreshment points with water, tea, isotonic drinks and fruit are set up at regular intervals and in sufficient numbers. There is also a refreshment point with gel from Maurten.

If you wish, we can bring your own refreshments to the individual refreshment points. To do this, you must hand in your container (no glass!) marked with your name, bib number and desired aid station to the "Eigenverpflegung" stand (Annemarie-Renger-Str. / Otto-von-Bismarck-Allee) by 7:45 a.m. on Sunday at the latest.

Only the following are permitted on the route

• hydration packs or vests with the following dimensions:
  • back compartment with a maximum volume of 3 liters for holding hydration bladders
  • Front pockets for water bottles (max. 0.5 liters each)
  • Front pockets for small items (cell phone, keys, etc.)
• or drinking belt:
  • Pockets for water bottles (max. 0.5 liters each)
  • Pockets for small items (cell phone, keys, etc.)

There are also toilet cubicles at the end of each refreshment point.

For first aid services, the medical team, bike doctors, medical aid organizations and patrols from the Berlin fire department are there for you at the start/finish area and on the route. Do not hesitate to contact our staff if you have any complaints or pain. This also applies if you notice emergencies among other participants.

The time limit is 6:15 hours from crossing the start line. Participants who have not reached KM 33 by 3:50 pm or KM 38 by 4:35pm must leave the official route and continue on the footpath or will be taken to the finish in the broom bus. Please note that you may then not receive a result time, a medal or a post-finish supply.

You can find your result in the results list on the event website under “The race”. Your certificate will also be available for download there.

• To personalize your medal, there is an engraving stand in Scheidemannstraße (outside the event area). You are welcome to book this service in advance via your user account. This will be noted on your race number.
• The engraving must be done on the day of the event.
• The service can also be used directly at the stand for 12.00 euros.

There are plenty of changing and showering facilities in the finish area.
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.

Students of physiotherapy facilities offer free massages in the destination area to loosen up your muscles. You are welcome to take advantage of this service, but please remember that other participants also want to enjoy the "helping hands".

Tea, water, ERDINGER non-alcoholic and isotonic drinks as well as fruit (apples, bananas) will be available for all finishers in the finish area. You will also receive a finisher bag with some fruit and goodies to reward you after the race and help you recover.

There is a family meeting point in front of the Paul-Löbe-Haus with signs with the letters from A-Z. Meet there with your relatives after your race.

The start/finish area is only accessible to officially registered participants. However, you are welcome to cheer on the runners at various points along the course. Special instructions for wheelchair users and handbikers can be found on this page.

A grandstand with standing room is set up shortly after the start. There are also grandstands on both sides just before the finish. These are accessible to everyone free of charge.

No, the course is only for official participants. However, you are welcome to cheer on the runners at various points along the course.