Berlin Marathon 2027

 

Dates marked ~ are projected from the last confirmed cycle. Always verify on the official race website.

The race

Course: A loop through the city, finishing through the Brandenburg Gate.

Elevation: 241 ft (73 m) up, 260 ft (79 m) down, the flattest Major and historically the fastest course in the world.

Typical weather: Average start temperature around 55°F (13°C), though 2025 reached 81.7°F (27.6°C), the hottest Berlin on record.

Official site: bmw-berlin-marathon.com/en

Your odds

Roughly 20%. Berlin doesn't publish official figures, but this is the widely cited estimate.

How to enter

4 ways in

1. Public lotteryOpen to anyone. The main route in, at roughly 20%. ~Sep 25, 2026
2. Abbott WMM Race DrawRequires you to have completed 3+ Majors. 2027 draw not announced
3. Fast runner qualificationGuaranteed entry on a qualifying time. Standards are age-banded. With registration
4. Official tour operatorGuaranteed entry bundled with travel. The priciest route. Rolling

Fun fact: Berlin has hosted more marathon world records than any other course. Nine men's records have been set here since 2003, including every men's record since 2013, and Tigist Assefa set the women's record here in 2023. If you're chasing a PR, this is the course for it.

Public lottery

Anyone can enter: no qualifying time required. Berlin has not announced its 2027 window. Projecting from the 2026 cycle, which ran September 25 to November 6, 2025 with results at the end of November, expect the same shape a year later. Berlin does not publish application numbers, but acceptance is generally estimated around 20%.

Abbott WMM Race Draw

Berlin takes part in the Abbott WMM Race Draws, which put 250 guaranteed places into the 2026 edition. The 2027 draw has not been announced. Abbott opens all its draws together in early January, so expect applications to open then with the Berlin draw made in spring.

Fast runner qualification

Berlin guarantees entry to runners with a recent marathon inside their age-group standard, with proof uploaded during registration. Men need under 2:45 up to age 44, under 2:55 from 45 to 59, and under 3:25 at 60 and over. Women need under 3:10 up to 44, under 3:30 from 45 to 59, and under 4:20 at 60 and over. It bypasses the lottery entirely.

Official tour operator

Official tour operators hold guaranteed places sold with hotel and transfers at a significant premium. Berlin's operator allocation is large, so packages tend to stay available later than for other Majors.

Common questions