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PRESS RELEASE FROM 18. SEPTEMBER 2025

Strong Women’s Race Expected at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2025
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  • MARATHON EXPO at Messe Berlin
  • Temperature Management for Sunday
  • Strong Inline Skating Field
  • Top Favorites in the Women’s Race
  • App Available in Stores
Today, the first press conference for the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2025 took place. Jürgen Lock, CEO of SCC EVENTS (the organizer), looked ahead to the marathon weekend with great confidence:  “It is wonderful to see all the puzzle pieces—put together by more than 90 full-time staff members, countless partners and service providers, and over 5,700 volunteers—coming together to form a big picture.”

Taking Sunday’s Temperatures Seriously

The organizer is also well-prepared for the expected rise in temperatures over the weekend. In addition to the dense network of refreshment stations, ten extra shower installations and ice stations will be available. All 55,146 runners will also be informed once again in advance via direct mailing about important behavioral guidelines. “We currently expect temperatures to rise to 25 degrees Celsius or higher. That makes it all the more important to follow the golden rules of temperature management,” emphasized Lock.

MARATHON EXPO at Messe Berlin

The MARATHON EXPO opens today at 3 p.m., this year at its new location in Messe Berlin. Organizers are expecting up to 120,000 visitors over three days. For the first time, participants were able to book a time slot in advance to collect their race kits as smoothly as possible. The children’s runs will also take place at a new location this year—the Mommsenstadion—where about 1,800 kids are expected on Saturday starting at 10:30 a.m.The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON promises not only to be an international celebration of movement on the course—with 160 nations represented—but also along the route. With countless cheering points, live bands, DJs, and spontaneous spectator actions, the event “is set to become Berlin’s biggest flashmob,” said Jürgen Lock.

BMW BERLIN-MARATHON App for Participants and Spectators

With the official BMW BERLIN-MARATHON app, SCC EVENTS is once again offering a wide range of services for mobile phones: including live tracking, real-time results, interactive course maps, a favorites list for up to 25 participants, and the latest updates. iOS Download Android Download (Please uninstall the old version and download the new one. Minimum requirements: iOS 16 / Android 10.)

BMW BERLIN-MARATHON Inline Skating

Despite the World Championships taking place simultaneously in China, many top elite skaters have chosen Berlin—underscoring the importance of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON Inline Skating. Leading the way is German Felix Rijhnen, the 2019 champion, who will face off against Ewen Fernandez (FRA) and Jason Suttles (BEL)—both previous winners here as well. Olympic champion and nine-time Berlin winner Bart Swings (BEL) had to withdraw on short notice due to injury. Among the women, last year’s champion Noraly Berber Vonk (NED) returns as one of the favorites. She will face, among others, Berlin speed skater Michelle Uhrig, who is currently preparing for qualification for the upcoming Winter Olympic Games.Since last year, the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON Inline Skating has partly been held on a circuit course, helping to ease the burden on Berlin’s traffic situation during marathon weekend. A total of around 2,200 skaters have registered for the race. Young talents will also get the chance to showcase their skills, starting at 12:30 p.m. on the start line at Straße des 17. Juni.

Rosemary Wanjiru and Dera Dida could target world lead 
Featuring an unprecedented depth in the women’s elite field the 51st edition of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON will take place on Sunday morning in the German capital. While Rosemary Wanjiru of Kenya is the likely favourite and heads the women’s field with a PB of 2:16:14 there are seven athletes with personal bests of sub 2:20:00 - exactly the same number of women with such a PB competed in last Sunday’s World Championships’ marathon in Tokyo. Six of them have even run unter 2:19:00, which is unique for Berlin. Berlin’s super fast course might well see extraordinary times again despite a relatively warm weather forecast. The world leading time of 2:15:50 could become a target.  With over 55,000 entries from 160 nations the 51st BMW BERLIN-MARATHON will once again be among the world’s biggest marathons. Rosemary Wanjiru knows the course of the BMW BERLIN MARATHON well. Three years ago she ran a strong marathon debut here, finishing second in 2:18:00. “If the weather is good and I feel fine in the morning, I intend to run a very fast time,“ said the 30-year-old Kenyan during the press conference with the elite female runners. With a personal best of 2:16:14, Rosemary Wanjiru is the fastest woman on the Berlin start list.  Dera Dida, who is the wife of Olympic marathon champion Tamirat Tola, ran a personal best in the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON as well: In 2023 the Ethiopian finished sixth here with 2:19:24. She improved her PB this January in Dubai to 2:18:32. “I have been training intensively with Tamirat and want to run a personal best on Sunday. I am looking forward to the great atmosphere along the course and want to give something back to the spectators with a top performance,” said the 28-year-old, who is aiming to continue an unusual winning streak. Berlin’s women’s winners of the last three years are all from one training group in Addis Ababa to which Dera Dida belongs as well.

The Japanese record holder Honami Maeda is another athlete who has run below 2:19:00. She could continue the series of strong performances that Japanese athletes have shown in Berlin in the past. The highlight was Naoko Takahashi's run in 2001, when she became the first woman to break the 2:20:00 barrier with a time of 2:19:46. Four years later, the 2004 Olympic champion, Mizuki Noguchi, won in Berlin with a time of 2:19:12. This Japanese record stood for 19 years. And it was Honami Maeda who broke the mark in Osaka in January 2024 with a time of 2:18:59. “Berlin is a restart for me because I was injured for a long time. I will run as fast as possible,“ said Honami Maeda, who will be running her first marathon since breaking the Japanese record.  Unfortunately Norwegian Karoline Grovdal had to pull out at short notice due to an illness.

A German athlete could now be the fastest European in Berlin: Domenika Mayer was the most consistent German marathon runner in the past couple of years. The 34-year-old ran her personal best of 2:23:47 at the BMW BERLIN- MARATHON two years ago. With this performance she qualified for the 2024 Olympic Games where she was the best German runner in 28th place. “I am looking forward to the great atmosphere in Berlin and want to try to run a personal best. I had some health problems during my preparation, but I got back on track just in time,“ said Domenika Mayer, who is the third fastest German marathon runner ever.  Fabienne Königstein, who has a 2:25:48 PB, is also expected to be strong. After suffering of injuries and illnesses for several years she came back promisingly this spring. “I really enjoy my running,“ said the 32-year-old after finishing fourth in the Vienna Marathon. “I am well prepared and want to run under 2:23:00 on Sunday.“ Deborah Schöneborn, who competes for Marathon Team Berlin, which is associated with the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, is the second fastest German on the start list with her PB of 2:24:54. However, she has suffered from recurring foot problems over the last year and a half. “I am glad that I can start the race in good health and I am looking forward to it,“ said the 31-year-old, who will be running her tenth marathon on Sunday.

Invitation to Media Dates:

Thursday, September 18, 2025

Panel 1: Women in Running – From the Starting Line to Visibility
  • Time: 4:00 – 5:30 PM (doors open at 3:45 PM)
  • Participants: Kathrine Switzer (first official woman at the 1967 Boston Marathon), Viola Cheptoo (Kenyan elite runner and founder of a foundation against gender-based violence), Inga Hofmann (Head of Sports Editorial, Tagesspiegel), as well as successful influencers (e. g. PrincessMaikelea) and athletes. Other guests include Uta Pippig, 3-time BMW BERLIN-MARATHON winner, and Fabienne Königstein, top runner and board member of Athletes Germany e.V.
  • Topics: Do female runners today need more space or more reach? We discuss visibility, achievements, barriers, and perspectives for women in running – from pioneers to influencers.
  • Accreditation: Exclusive event by invitation only, while spots last via gerte.buchheit@scc-events.com
Panel 2 and 3:
  • Ready to Run, Ready to Rescue: Emergency Medicine at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON
  • See. Understand. Act: Rethinking Diabetes Management
  • Time: 6:00 PM (doors open at 5:30 PM)
  • Participants: Ingalena Schömburg-Heuck (top runner), Ulrike Thurm (diabetes expert), Dr. Sandra Pfaffenbach (Medical Board SCC EVENTS), Chris Miller (DVP Global Brand Strategy and Innovation, Abbott)
  • Topics: How the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON medical team ensures runner safety: preparation, emergency medicine, and rapid diagnostics with Abbott i-STAT Alinity.
    Plus: Understanding diabetes management – Abbott technology makes blood glucose visible, shows the impact of exercise and nutrition, and supports informed decisions for healthy training.
  • Location: Baret Restaurant at Humboldt Forum – rooftop with panoramic views of Berlin, Schlossplatz (Museum Island), 10178 Berlin
  • Accreditation: Participation only possible upon prior registration.
Panel 4: Running for All – From Accessibility to Adaptive Equipment
  • Time: 4:00 – 5:00 PM
  • Participants: Verena Bentele, Tina Deeken, Ali Lacin; moderation by Max Bankewitz, General Manager of Zalando DACH
  • Topics: The importance of accessibility and inclusion at major sporting events such as marathons – with opportunities and challenges as well as the use of adaptive sports equipment and apparel. Followed by a training session with members of Achilles International Germany Running Club.
  • Location: Zalando Outlet, Tauentzienstr. 18, 10789 Berlin
  • Accreditation: Participation only possible upon prior registration via julia.zweigle@zalando.de
Friday, September 19, 2025
Press Conference – Elite Presentation Part 2
  • Time: 11:00 AM
  • Participants: Elite runners: Sabastian Sawe, Milkesa Mengesha, Gabriel Gerald Geay, Hendrik Pfeiffer, Sebastian Hendel, Haftom Welday; elite wheelchair racers: Manuela Schär, Tatyana McFadden, Marcel Hug; elite handbikers: Julia Dierkesmann, Vico Merklein, Heinz Frei; Jürgen Lock (Managing Director SCC EVENTS), Mark Milde (Race Director)
  • Topics: Presentation of elite male runners, wheelchair racers, and handbikers, EXPO, outlook on the event weekend, general topics, running weather
  • Location: Hotel Berlin, Berlin
Saturday, September 20, 2025
Press Conference – Inline Skating Results
  • Time: 3:30 PM
  • Participants: Inline skating winners
  • Location: Hotel Berlin, Berlin
Sunday, September 21, 2025
Press Conference – Running Results
  • Time: 12:30 PM
  • Participants: Winners in wheelchair racing, handbike, and running
  • Location: Hotel Berlin, Berlin

Media Guide and Accreditation
A comprehensive media guide for the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON with detailed information on national and international elite athletes can be found in the press section of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON website. In the same section, you will also find the opening hours of the Media Center for collecting media accreditations at Hotel Berlin, Berlin (Lützowplatz 17, 10785 Berlin).

Photo Download:
High-resolution photos may be used free of charge for editorial purposes if the photo source is credited.

1.) Honami Maeda, Rosemary Wanjiru, and Dera Dida are part of the women’s international elite field at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2025.
Credit: SCC EVENTS_Petko Beier

2.) Debbie Schöneborn, Domenika Mayer, and Fabienne Königstein are part of the national elite at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2025.
Credit: SCC EVENTS_Petko Beier

3.) These runners are among the favorites at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2025.
Credit: SCC EVENTS_Petko Beier

4.) Jürgen Lock (CEO of SCC EVENTS) at today’s press conference in Berlin.
Credit: SCC EVENTS_Petko Beier
For questions and further information please contact:
Jochen Schmitz
Team Leader Media Relations & Editorial
SCC EVENTS
Tel. +49-173-9721150
medien@scc-events.com
Follow the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON on  Facebook Facebook  and  Instagram Instagram.
Visitors' and delivery address
SCC EVENTS GmbH
Olympiapark Berlin
Haus des Deutschen Sports
Adlerplatz 1
14053 Berlin
Mailing address
SCC EVENTS GmbH
Olympiapark Berlin
Hanns-Braun-Str. 4
14053 Berlin
Telefon: 030-301 288 10
Telefax: 030-301 288 20
www.scc-events.com
Managing Directors: Christian Jost, Jürgen Lock
Register court: AG Charlottenburg
Register number: HRB 20965 B
VAT No.: DE136599588
Responsible for the content according to § 18 Abs. 2 MStV:
Christian Jost, Jürgen Lock
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