Berlin Marathon is one of the world’s most popular annual marathons. The race is run through central Berlin, starting and finishing near the Brandenburg Gate in Tiergarten Park. The marathon traditionally is held during the last weekend in September. The flat course has resulted in especially fast times, including several world and national records. Money prizes are awarded to the fastest male and female finishers. The marathon is sponsored by BMW, a German manufacturer of automobiles, motorcycles, and bicycles.
Thousands of amateur and professional runners compete in the marathon every year, and hundreds of thousands of spectators line the race route of 26 miles 385 yards (42.2 kilometers). Male and female athletes must be at least 18 years old to be eligible. Runners compete in one of three age categories: junior, senior, and master. There are separate results for men and women.
Events in the marathon are conducted over two days. On Saturday, a children’s race is held at distances of 500 meters (547 yards) and 1,000 meters (1,094 yards). There is also a marathon for in-line skaters. On Sunday, in addition to the regular marathon, there are separate competitions for wheelchair competitors, hand cyclists, and power walkers.
The first Berlin Marathon was held in 1974 along a forest on the outskirts of the city. At that time, the city was divided between the eastern zone, controlled by the Soviet Union, and the western zone, governed by France, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The race was first run through the city streets of West Berlin in 1981. It was first run through a unified Berlin in 1990.
In 2006, the organizers of the Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London, and New York City marathons joined to create the World Marathon Majors. Tokyo joined as the sixth major in 2013. In addition to prize money awarded for the individual marathons, runners compete for an annual $1-million prize. The prize is based on points runners earn for their performance in the major marathons plus the World Championship marathon and the Olympic Games marathon, when held.
See also Marathon.
