Start
Date:
Sunday, September 21st, 2025
Location:
The start is on Straße des 17. Juni, between the Brandenburg Gate and the “Kleiner Stern”.
Start times:*
8.50 am Handbiker (Tops)
8:56 am Wheelchair athlete (Elite)
8:59 am Handbike and wheelchair athletes
from 09:15am Runners (in four waves)
* subject to change
Arrival
The only entrance for participants is via Platz der Republik.
For security reasons, only participants with an official bib number and athlete wristband, which will be tied around your wrist when you pick up your race material at the EXPO, can enter the start/finish area.
We ask you to use public transportation.
Your bib number is valid from September 26 to 29 as a ticket for public transportation (in the ABC fare zone). The bib number must of course be carried with you*.
Public transport stops near the start/finish area:
- subway: Unter den Linden, Bundestag
- S-Bahn: Brandenburg Gate
- S-Bahn, U-Bahn and regional transportation: Berlin Hauptbahnhof (Central Station)
*You will receive further information on the included 4-day ticket by email with your start card in mid-September 2024
Starting blocks and waves
The start of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON for runners takes place in waves, which are divided into starting blocks.
9.15 am ABCD
9.45 am EF
10.10 am GHJ
10.40 am K
- You will be allocated to a specific starting block based on your best or expected finish time.
- The best time can be changed in the user account under “My registrations” until September 22, 2024, 23:59 (CET). Please note that proof (certificate/link to the results list) is required for times under 3:15 h.
- You will find your starting block on your bib number.
- All participants deserve a fair race, so please be honest with your registration details and line up in your designated starting block on race day. The correct access to the starting blocks will be controlled by helpers.
- If you prefer to start from a slower block than the one on your bib number, no problem. Simply place yourself further back in a starting block.
- Important: After September 22nd, 2024, 11:59 pm (CET) there is NO possibility to change the best time or the starting block. Not even at the MARATHON EXPO!
Pacer
To help you achieve your desired time, pacemakers will be clearly visible across all four start waves.
They carry pacer flags with the corresponding finish time.
In wave 1 for 3:00 - 3:15 - 3:30 hours
In wave 2 for 3:00 - 3:15 - 3:30 - 3:45 hours
In wave 3 for 3:30 - 3:45 - 4:00 - 4:15 hours
In wave 4 for 3:45 - 4:00 - 4:15 - 4:30 - 4:45 - 5:00 hours
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.
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
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 BMW BERLIN-MARATHON App.
Code: You decide who can follow your race via the live results on the event website or in the BMW BERLIN-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.
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 5km we have set up stations where 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.
