BERLINMARATHON

The Berlin Marathon began modestly in 1974 with just 286 runners in West Berlin. No one could have predicted that this race would become the world's fastest marathon—a course where world records don't just happen, they're expected.

What makes Berlin special is its perfect conditions. The course is almost entirely flat, with only 20 meters of elevation change. The September timing typically provides cool, stable weather. And the wide Berlin streets allow runners to find their rhythm without fighting crowds.

But Berlin's significance goes beyond speed. The 1990 race, run just months after the Berlin Wall fell, became a powerful symbol of German reunification. Runners from East and West ran together through streets that had been divided for decades.

The finish at the Brandenburg Gate—once a symbol of division, now a symbol of unity—provides one of the most dramatic finishes in world sport. Runners pass through the iconic columns to complete their journey.

Berlin has produced 11 world records, more than any other marathon. From Paul Tergat's first sub-2:05 to Kipchoge's 2:01:39 to Tigst Assefa's stunning 2:11:53, Berlin is where the limits of human endurance are redefined.