Berlin Marathon

The Berlin Marathon is a major running and sporting event held annually in Berlin, Germany. The official marathon distance of 42.195 kilometers (26 miles 385 yards) is set up as a city-wide road race where professional athletes and amateur sportsmen jointly participate. First initiated in 1974, the event traditionally takes place on the last weekend in September.

With 40,827 enrolled starters from 107 countries, 35,913 official finishers and more than one million spectators in 2008 the Berlin marathon is one of the largest and most popular road races in the world.Along with four other venues it forms the World Marathon Majors, a series offering a $1 million prize purse to be split equally between the top male and female marathoners.

The most marathon world records for men and women have been set at the Berlin course, which is known for its flat profile, even surface, a cheering spectator crowd, and its frequently mild autumn temperatures. In 2008 a new record was set by Haile Gebrselassie while the fourth best time in a women marathon was set by Irina Mikitenko.

The event is split in 2 days. Around 8,000 additional inline skaters competing at the marathon course one day before the running event, usually at a Saturday. Power walkers, handbikers, wheelchair riders, and a children's marathon (4.2195 km) are also part of the marathon weekend which is organised by SCC Running and currently sponsored by BMW.

The course

The course...
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