Having developed a reputation as the fastest marathons in the world, the Berlin Marathon has quickly become one of Europe’s most popular running events. As one of the 6 World Marathon Majors, the 40,000 places in the marathon sell out every year with participants from 110 countries vying for a spot. Whether you’re a seasoned professional trying to break a record or a first timer, the Berlin Marathon provides the perfect course. Starting and finishing at the Brandenburg Gate, the notoriously flat course takes runners past a number of local landmarks including the Reichstag, Potsdamer, Platz and the Berlin Cathedral. In addition to its flat altitude profile, the marathon is also made famous by its spectators, with reports of over a million fans lining the roads in recent editions.

As well as the main running event, there are also events for inline skaters, power walkers, hand-cyclists, wheelchair riders and a special children’s marathon on the same weekend. Due to the popularity of the marathon, you must enter a ballot to gain entry to the event. Applications are open during the last two weeks of October the year before the event.