2026: Preview

EVENT

MAGAZINE

March 29, 2026

THE STARS

THE COURSE

THE PARTY

All the info for

your weekend in Berlin

HERE

NOW

© Yves Sucksdorff

In Berlin, the running season

traditionally kicks off

with a genuine highlight: the

Generali Berlin Half Marathon,

taking place this year

for the 45th time. I would

like to extend a warm welcome

to all participants and to

the spectators, who are sure

to turn out in large numbers

again this year.

Kai Wegner

Message from the

Governing Mayor

of Berlin

Last year, more than 42,000

competitors from 135

countries – more than ever

before – took their places at

the starting line. This level

of participation makes the

Berlin Half Marathon one of

- 3 -

the world’s largest and most

popular events in its category.

And interest is enormous

this year as well. For the first

time, entries for runners

were awarded in a drawing

– further proof that Berlin’s

spring classic excites athletes

from around the globe.

A half marathon route will

surely pose a special challenge

for many competitors

so early in the season. All the

more reason for good wishes

to all the participants: may

you stay strong, set the right

pace, and above all enjoy the

race and a great day in Berlin.

The Berliners along the

route will be cheering you on

with energy and enthusiasm.

I also wish much success to

the top international athletes

taking part. As always,

Berlin’s famously fast route

provides you with great

conditions for strong finish

times and perhaps even new

records. I’m keeping my fingers

crossed.

Year after year, the Berlin

Half Marathon impressively

demonstrates the professionalism,

commitment, and

passion that our city brings

to the organization of major

sports events. These qualities

also characterize our

bid to host the Olympic and

Paralympic Games. As a

Sports capital, Berlin wants

to bring the Olympic and

Paralympic Games back to

Germany.

But first things first: thank

you to everyone behind the

45th Generali Berlin Half

Marathon, especially the

- 4 -

G r u ß w o r t

des Regierenden Bürgermeisters von Berlin, Ka

für das Programmheft zum Berlin-Marathon am 24. S

Herzlich Willkommen zum BMW Berlin-Marathon 2023. Rund 45.0

sind am Start, um ihren Traum zu leben. Die Weltspitze ist ebe

Freizeitläufer, Walker, Handbiker und Rennrollstuhlfahrer. Hier w

persönliche Rekorde gebrochen oder einfach das intensive Gefü

kommen. Wer einmal dabei war, wird dieses Ereignis nicht v

Stimmung entlang der Strecke, das Panorama Berliner Sehenswürd

– am Ende – den Stolz darauf, die 42 Kilometer geschafft zu habe

organizing team from SCC

Events, all the event partners

and sponsors, and the

many volunteers.

Sie alle haben hart trainiert, um für diese große Herausforderung

dass Sie beim Berlin-Marathon 2023 dabei sind. Nun wünsche ich

Start fit sind und die volle Marathondistanz mit Bravour bewältig

Marathon 2023 wird für Sie alle ein unvergessliches Erlebnis. In die

I wish everyone a successful

45th Generali Berlin Half

Marathon with many memorable

moments.

die laufen, walken, rollen oder handbiken, ein erfolgreiches Re

Aufenthalt in der Sportmetropole Berlin. Zugleich danke ich alle

Helfern, die wieder einmal zum erfolgreichen Gelingen des Berlin-

Kai Wegner

Kai Wegner

Regierender Bürgermeister von Berlin

Regierender Bürgermeister von Berlin

- 5 -

Stefan Lehmann

Greeting from

the title sponsor

The GENERALI BERLIN

HALF MARATHON is a

very special moment for us

every year, and in 2026 we

will celebrate an anniversary:

for the 45th time, the

capital will transform into

a stage for passion, endurance,

and community.

Since 2019, we at Generali

have proudly been the title

partner of this outstanding

- 6 -

event, because Berlin is

not just a place for us, but

a symbol of team spirit and

diversity.

The GENERALI BERLIN

HALF MARATHON marks

the first major highlight

of the running season and

has been part of the renowned

Superhalfs series since

2024. With its interna-

tional appeal, Berlin ranks

among Europe’s most attractive

half marathons

and fits perfectly with our

“Sports Ecosystem” initiative.

For many years, we

have been committed to

both grassroots and elite

sports to inspire people

to lead a health-conscious

lifestyle and to strengthen

communities.

As a passionate runner

who has completed the half

marathon himself – and

who can say from personal

experience that no other

place unfolds this special,

unmistakable energy quite

like Berlin – I know how

much preparation, willpower,

and enthusiasm goes

into every single kilometer.

That is why I’m all the more

delighted that participants

from all over the world and

from our Generali Group

come together to send a

strong message for fitness,

team spirit, and solidarity.

We are particularly proud

to connect the GENERALI

BERLIN HALF MARATHON

with our global foundation

“The Human Safety Net.” It

stands for social inclusion,

opens up opportunities

and helps people to unlock

their potential. To support

this, we are once again offering

charity tickets this

year – a total of 88 this time

– for everyone who wants

to be active in sports and

make a positive impact at

the same time. The donations

will go toward play and

exercise programs run by

our partner organizations,

which promote healthy

development and physical

activity for children.

We look forward to an unforgettable

experience and

to many encounters along

the course!

Stefan Lehmann

Chairman of the Board of Generali Deutschland AG

© Caroline Wimmer

Christian Jost

Jürgen Lock

Greetings from

the Organisers

On behalf of SCC

EVENTS (the organizer

of the GENERALI BER-

LIN HALF MARATHON), we

warmly welcome you. From

March 28 to 29, 2026, we

will celebrate the 45th anniversary

of the GENERALI


— together with well over

40,000 participants from

134 nations.

- 8 -

This anniversary is more

than just a number. It is

a proud reflection on decades

filled with passion,

perseverance, and shared

achievements — moments

that have shaped the history

of our event. At the same

time, it is a look ahead, full

of energy, excitement, and

anticipation for everything

that lies before us. Let us

celebrate this special day

together, enjoy the unique

moments along the course,

and experience the international

community of sport.

The Foundation

Was Laid in 1990

Since the 1980s, road races

have shaped sporting

life along the River Spree:

while the Peace Run in

East Germany was the largest

road race in the GDR,

the half marathon organized

by SC Charlottenburg

in West Berlin had more

of a local character. Just

a few months after the fall

of the Berlin Wall, the first

joint race took place in late

summer 1990 — laying the

foundation for what would

become one of the largest

and most prestigious half

marathons in the world.

Last year, a record 40,721

runners registered, a figure

that was surpassed once

again thanks to an enormous

“run” on this year’s

edition.

The event experienced a

special upgrade in 2019: the

start and finish were moved

to Straße des 17. Juni, with

the finish line located just

beyond the Brandenburg

Gate — a backdrop unlike

any other. Since 2024, the

GENERALI BERLIN HALF

- 9 -

MARATHON has been part

of the international Super-

Halfs series, which fosters

a strong sense of community

and inspires runners

to reach their full potential.

No half marathon in Europe

brings together so many

people of different nations

and cultures — and you are

right at the heart of it.

More and More

Women at the Start

We are particularly proud

of the steadily increasing

proportion of women —

now exceeding 40 percent

and rising for years — of

the strong support from

the younger running community,

and of the outstanding

athletic performances

repeatedly achieved here:

the course records rank

among the very best in the

world. In 2025, Fotyen Tesfay

shattered the previous

record of the GENERALI

BERLIN HALF MARATHON.

The Ethiopian crossed the

finish line at the Brandenburg

Gate in 63:35 minutes,

improving the former

record by more than one

and a half minutes.

Making

sports history

In the same race, Amanal

Petros made German sporting

history. As the first

German runner to break

the one-hour barrier, Petros

improved his national

record in Berlin from 60:09

to 59:31.

The continuous development

of the event is a key

component of our spring

event portfolio. Starting

this year, we are introducing

a new inclusive race format

on the day before the main

- 10 -

event: the Garmin BER-

LIN MILE at the GENERALI


Covering the classic mile

distance of 1.609 kilometers,

the course runs along

the final kilometers of the

half marathon — from Lustgarten

at Berlin Cathedral

and the Humboldt Forum,

past the State Opera and

Humboldt University, to the

finish line just beyond the

Brandenburg Gate. This

low-threshold offering allows

young and old, rookies

and seasoned athletes alike

to experience the spirit

of the finish on Straße des

17. Juni together.

Movement at every

stage of life

Of course, we will continue

to host the Bambini Run as

usual at the EXPO venue,

the former Tempelhof Airport.

Our mission is to “inspire

people at every stage

of life to enjoy being active.”

From Competition

to Experience

Over its 45-year history, the


MARATHON has evolved

into what it is today, with

an ever-growing focus on

service and quality. What

once began as a sporting

competition has become a

holistic experience, placing

the needs of all participants

at its heart. With continuously

increasing field sizes,

this aspiration is becoming

ever more significant: it is

no longer just about times

and rankings, but about

special moments along the

course, about personal experiences,

and about sha-

- 11 -

red emotions that remain

memorable long after the

finish line. And we never

tire of further raising our

standards in this regard.

We are now delighted to celebrate

this anniversary together

with you — whether

as a runner, skater, wheelchair

athlete, hand cyclist,

spectator, or as part of the

great GENERALI BERLIN

HALF MARATHON community.

SCC EVENTS, as the

organizer of the GENERALI

BERLIN HALF MARATHON,

would like to thank all of

our partners, including Generali

and adidas, as well

as more than 1,500 volunteers,

without whom such

an event would not be possible.

Special thanks also

go to the Berlin Senate and

the Berlin authorities for

their trust, which enables

us to host a peaceful major

sporting event and represent

Berlin on the international

stage.

Christian Jost & Jürgen Lock

Managing Directors of SCC EVENTS

- 12 -

CONTENTS

44

21.0975 KILOMETERS OF JOY

A Running Festival Turns 45

Nearly 1,000 runners participated in the premiere

of the GENERALI BERLIN HALF MARATHON in

1981. This year, more than 40,000 will take to

the streets of Berlin to celebrate a huge running

festival.

66

ALL DATES, ALL INFO

What You Need to Know

What happens when and where? Where and

when can I pick up my race bib? What is the

course route? All the important information at

a glance. With a detailed schedule for the race

– so you’re fully prepared.

80

THE TOP RUNNERS

Another German Victory?

German record holder Amanal Petros is among

the favorites and could secure the first German

win since 1993. Which other runners have a

chance at victory, and which top German athletes

will be competing.

124

THE CITY

Highlights Beyond the Run

Want to explore Berlin during your half marathon

weekend? Here are the best tips to experience

this fascinating city authentically, where everyone

can do their own thing. From restaurants to

an unforgettable shopping experience.

ALSO

116 – TEAM: Which runners aim to reach their goals with Marathon Team Berlin

160 – Next Generation: A sports school class is aiming to run the half marathon

These topics and many more await you on 232 pages.

All information is up to date as of the editorial deadline on March 10, 2026.

WHO‘S THAT RUNNING?

Ready for Sub-1:20

Mexican runner Mariana Becerril has a personal

best of 1:21:52 and now aims to break 1:20.

And that’s just one of three great stories about

runners taking on the GENERALI BERLIN HALF

MARATHON this year.

136

SUSTAINABILITY

Together for the Environment

The GENERALI BERLIN HALF MARATHON aims

to be as sustainable as possible. Here’s how

you can help achieve this goal: from your travel

to clothing donations and using refillable drinking

systems.

172

TWO SPECIAL EVENTS

Even More Running Fun

A race of fun and speed? You can experience

that at the Garmin BERLIN MILE the day before

the GENERALI BERLIN HALF MARATHON. And at

“The Dress Rehearsal,” you can test your fitness

for the autumn marathon with a half marathon.

186

INLINE SKATING

Rollin‘ Berlin

Before the first running steps echo across

the asphalt, the hum of wheels takes over the

city. The inline skating race at the GENERALI

BERLIN HALF MARATHON is the fast-paced

kick-off of the day.

216

ALSO

198 – MUST RUNS: These Berlin and Brandenburg events you simply have to be part of!

208 – Hydration Systems: How to avoid waste with a hydration backpack

- 16 -

At the 45th GENERALI BERLIN HALF MARATHON,

the running season will kick off on March 28 and

29 with more than 40,000 participants from 134

nations. The images on the following pages will

get you excited for the races in the capital—whether

you’re starting, watching, or cheering.

- 17 -

Looking forward

together: These two

are waiting in front of

the Reichstag to head

to the start.

Where running feels like flying: With

the TV Tower behind you, the finish

line of the GENERALI BERLIN HALF

MARATHON is not far away.

The GENERALI BERLIN HALF MARATHON is one of

the best sight-running events you can experience.

Twelve major landmarks line the course. One of the

most impressive: the Berlin Cathedral. Even fans

of 1. FC Köln are impressed—although they have an

even bigger church back home…

Running always

makes you happy.

But in Berlin, that’s

even more true.

At the GENERALI BERLIN HALF MARATHON, everyone is truly

cheered on and celebrated. Could there be any better proof?

Just before the Brandenburg Gate is

the perfect moment to celebrate the

half marathon together with everyone

on and along the course.

Whether on foot or in a

wheelchair, everyone

experiences the same

moments of joy here.

Run or celebrate? In Berlin, the

answer is always: both!

After nearly 21 kilometers, you go

through the Brandenburg Gate. In

2026, you can experience it for the

first time without running the half

marathon. At the Garmin BERLIN

MILE, the finish line is reached

after just 1,609 meters.

So happy, so beautiful: three

finishers with their medals.

Without the roughly 3,000 volunteers

who give up much of their weekend

for the participants, an event like the

GENERALI BERLIN HALF MARATHON

would be unthinkable.

A HUGE THANK YOU!

Anyone who can still jump that

high after a half marathon should

aim for a full one. There’s quite

the event for that in Berlin in

September…

No matter what you

consumed on the course

to fuel your run—the

medal at the finish line

tastes even better.

The GENERALI BERLIN

HALF MARATHON 2026

is an anniversary race.

It was held for the first

time in 1981—45 years

ago. Nearly 1,000

runners participated

in what was then East

Berlin, the capital of the

GDR. By 1985, around

70,000 were said to

have taken part, and

in 1987, during Berlin’s

750th anniversary, even

100,000. Eyewitnesses

from that time tend to

view these figures as

GDR propaganda.

LOOKING BACK & AHEAD

What is certain, however,

is that more than

40,000 runners will

take part in 2026. We

look back on 45 years

of half marathon history

and forward to the

running festival that

will take place across

Berlin on the last weekend

of March.

A RUNNING FESTIVAL

CELEBRATES THE 45TH

In its 45-year history, the

little brother of the BMW

BERLIN-MARATHON has

long outgrown its early

years—the GENERALI BER-

LIN HALF MARATHON is

now a true highlight of the

running calendar and the

perfect start to the season.

The anniversary will be celebrated

with a first-ever

event: on the Saturday

before the half marathon,

you can experience what

it feels like to cross the finish

line of the GENERALI


without running the full

21.0975 kilometers. At the

Garmin BERLIN MILE, participants

run the last mile

on the original course—the

final 1,609 meters from

the Berlin Cathedral, along

Unter den Linden, through

the Brandenburg Gate, and

straight to the finish.

On Sunday, all participants

in the full half marathon

can look forward to a super-fast

loop course that

passes all the major landmarks

of the capital. Over

40,000 runners from 134

nations are registered. The

45th GENERALI BERLIN

HALF MARATHON promises

to be a huge sporting

festival, marking the start

of the 2026 running season

on the streets of Berlin.

Participants will be

cheered on by more than

100,000 spectators and

countless live bands.

The history of the Berlin

Half Marathon began in

1981 with a race in the East

Berlin district of Lichtenberg,

attended by just under

1,000 people. A year

later, 20,000 runners took

part in the Peace Run

through the capital of the

- 46 -

When?

Saturday | March 28, 2026 | 2:00 pm

Where?

Start: Am Lustgarten | Unter den Linden

Finish: Straße des 17. Juni | just past Brandenburg Gate

Time limit?

30 minutes from crossing the start mat

Vorteile

In 1954, Roger Bannister became the first

person to run a mile in under four minutes.

The four-minute barrier is history—but

the fascination with

the mile lives on! At the GENE-

RALI BERLIN HALF MARATHON

2026, this year features the Garmin

BERLIN MILE. Short, fast, legendary—you

can run the classic

distance and be part of the

comeback of the mile, which has

written one of the greatest stories

in running history: in 1954, British

runner Roger Bannister broke

the four-minute mark with a time

of 3:59.4. It was the birth of the

“dream mile,” which still inspires

athletes around the world

today, even though men’s world

records have long been well

under four minutes. The Garmin

BERLIN MILE isn’t just

for elite athletes: the whole

family can take part! Whether

children, teenagers, parents, or

Mile World Records

Track | Men

3:43.13 Hicham El Guerouj (MAR) 1999

Track | Women

4:07.64 Faith Kipyegon (KEN) 2023

Road | Men

3:51.3 Elliot Giles (GBR) 2024

Road | Women

4:20.98 Diribe Welteji (ETH) 2023

grandparents, everyone can enjoy

the mile experience—cheered on

by spectators and finishing with

an emotional run straight past the

Brandenburg Gate. And of course,

a fantastic medal awaits everyone

at the finish!

REGISTER

NOW

Race Briefing

All the facts and information,

conveniently compiled in a digital

booklet for your smartphone or

laptop. Formerly called “Event Infos,”

it is now called the “Race Briefing.”

Over 24 pages, you’ll find details

such as: What’s the best way

to get to the start? How can I spot

the pacemakers? Where does the

post-race party take place?

First Aid Kits

This year, all 600 course marshals

will be equipped for the first time

with a compact first aid kit. The

kits are intended for providing

initial treatment for minor injuries

among participants and for the

volunteers’ quick self-care. This

initiative was made possible by

the title sponsor, GENERALI.

GDR. In the following years,

the autumn race through

East Berlin became the

largest running event in

the GDR—alongside the

Rennsteiglauf. Registration

numbers grew steadily,

although they were likely

exaggerated at the upper

end.

100,000 at the

Peace Run in 1987?

By 1983, there were already

reports of 35,000 “Peace

Runners.” In 1985, the race

was moved from autumn

to a Thursday in early summer

(June 6) to coincide

with the 90th IOC Session

in East Berlin. Some 70,000

participants—potentially

the largest race in the

world at that time—are said

to have started in the marathon,

20-kilometer, and

mass-participation events.

- 48 -

In the 1980s, the half marathon through

East Berlin, together with the Rennsteiglauf,

was the largest running event in the

GDR. Tens of thousands of runners took

part in the capital at that time.

- 49 -

IOC President Juan Antonio

Samaranch was

impressed and gave the

starting signal with a flag

from a grandstand that

was normally only erected

on Karl-Marx-Allee for May

Day and the GDR National

Day.

This is what the bib looked like

in 1981 for the first edition of the

marathon in Lichtenberg, which

is considered the precursor to the

Berlin Half Marathon.

In 1987, the celebrations

for Berlin’s 750th anniversary

also gave the Peace

Run a boost. The participant

number for the 1987

race, officially described

as “under the patronage

of the IOC,” was reported

as 100,000—a figure that

eyewitnesses consider unreliable.

While the event

had enjoyed state support

and widespread approval

among participants in the

GDR, this changed dramatically

after reunification.

Held in the

Spring Since 1991

In the 1989 results booklet,

the registration form

for 1990 was still printed—

unaware that the Berlin

Wall would fall just a few

weeks later. After November

9, 1989, the then chief

- 50 -

In 1985, the Peace Run took place under the eyes of then-IOC President

Juan Antonio Samaranch (center). The 90th Session of the International

Olympic Committee was held in East Berlin, and the top Olympian watched

the race alongside GDR leaders such as Egon Krenz (far left) and

the highest East German sports official, Manfred Ewald (2nd from right).

organizer Stefan Senkel

received support from the

western part of the city.

Together with the Berlin

Marathon race director at

the time, Horst Milde, he

found a crucial partner to

make the 1990 event possible.

This time it was held

as a half marathon, since

the full marathon already

took place in the autumn.

- 51 -

From the first all-German

edition in 1990, the course

ran through both the eastern

and western parts

of the city. In 1991, due to

scheduling conflicts with

the marathon, the new

unified half marathon was

moved from September to

the spring and has been

held at the end of March or

beginning of April ever since.

When Carsten Eich Set

the European Record

The event made global

headlines as early as 1993,

when the first two runners

finished in under 61 minutes.

Carsten Eich from

Leipzig won with a European

record time of 60:34.

After initially stagnant

participation numbers,

the 10,000-runner mark

was exceeded for the first

time in 2001. From then on,

there was a massive influx

of runners from around the

world. This was helped by

the growing popularity of

the half marathon course

and the professional organization

by SCC EVENTS.

By 2010, the race had already

reached a finisher

count of 19,687, matching

the 1996 level of the BER-

LIN-MARATHON. Numbers

continued to rise steadily,

surpassing 25,000. Since

2019, the start and finish

area has been nearly identical

to that of the BMW

BERLIN-MARATHON on the

Straße des 17. Juni.

Giant Leap

Beyond 40,000

After the COVID pandemic,

the race made another big

leap. In 2025, the record

number of 40,721 runners

- 52 -

In a cotton shirt and long pants, he

ran 60:34. How fast would Carsten

Eich, who won in 1993, have been

with today’s carbon shoes and

modern gear?

- 53 -

When the half marathon takes place in Berlin today, the entire capital

becomes a city of runners.

from 135 nations was registered

for by far the largest

and most spectacular

half marathon in Germany.

Including accompanying

events, this number

even rose to over 42,000

athletes. The GENERALI


has thus joined the ranks

of the world’s largest half

marathons and is part of

the SuperHalfs—a series of

six top European half marathons

in Germany, Spain,

Denmark, Portugal, the

United Kingdom, and the

Czech Republic.

- 54 -

A Keepsake for

All Finishers

Weight: 108 grams

Thickness: 3 millimeters

Diameter: 8 centimeters

Color: Antique Gold

For the 45th anniversary of the

GENERALI BERLIN HALF MA-

RATHON, finishers will receive a

true keepsake around their neck

just past the finish line. The medal

is adorned with twelve of

Berlin’s most famous landmarks,

which runners pass along the

sightseeing course from the Victory

Column to the Brandenburg

Gate. They are arranged in a

circle with the “45” anniversary

emblem at the center. We look

forward to many happy faces

and great photos at the finish

and on Medal Monday.

- 55 -

Traditionally, many national

and international

stars take part each year.

On March 29, 2026, there

could be a German winner

for the first time in over 30

years: Amanal Petros, the

German record holder, will

start and is one of the top

favorites for the 45th GE-

NERALI BERLIN HALF MA-

RATHON, potentially succeeding

Carsten Eich. In

the women’s race, Ethiopian

Likina Amebaw is the

favorite. Two German women,

Esther Pfeiffer and

Domenika Mayer, could

also play a strong role,

having recently shown

significant improvement.

The elite field of the 45th


RATHON features a first-ever

twist: three married couples

join the top athletes’ start list

alongside Berlin twin sisters

Deborah and Rabea Schöne-

Elite Races as a Family Affair

born. They are: Hendrik and

Esther Pfeiffer from Düsseldorf,

Sebastian and Kristina

Hendel, competing for Marathon

Team Berlin, and Joseph

and Sisilia Panga from Tanzania.

- 56 -

THE EUROPEAN

SERIES

SUPERHALFS

The GENERALI BERLIN

HALF MARATHON is part

of the SuperHalfs: anyone

who finishes all six of the

most important European

half-marathon races receives

the coveted medal.

Since 2024, there has

been another reason

for runners around the

world to take part in the


MARATHON. The race is a

member of the SuperHalfs,

a series of six prestigious

half-marathon events in

Lisbon, Prague, Copenhagen,

Cardiff, Valencia, and

Berlin. Anyone who completes

each of the races in

Portugal, Czech Republic,

Denmark, Wales, Spain,

and the German capital at

least once receives a very

special medal. The best

part: there is no time limit

for achieving the dream of

finishing the SuperJourney

of six half-marathons.

As soon as you have completed

all six races at any

point in your running life,

you will receive the Super-

Halfs medal.

Do you want to be part

of it? Then first register

at www.superhalfs.com.

There you will receive your

free virtual SuperPassport,

whose number you enter

when registering for the

individual races. Once you

have finished the respective

half marathon, the

organizer will add a virtual

“stamp” to your Super-

Passport confirming your

finish. And with the sixth

stamp, you will receive your

special medal as a Super

Finisher. Are you already

registered for the GENE-

RALI BERLIN HALF MARA-

THON and now want to get

your SuperPassport and

have your finish recorded?

No problem—that’s still

- 60 -

possible now. Get your SuperPassport

and request

confirmation after your

finish at the GENERALI


The SuperHalfs even help

you secure a starting place

will automatically receive

a registration opportunity

(via code or link) for the

next upcoming race that

you have not yet finished

as a member of the Super-

Halfs community.

in races that often sell out

quickly. If you have already

finished at least two of the

races but were unable to

register for any of the SuperHalfs

for two years, you

REGISTER NOW

Copenhagen

Denmark

September 20, 2026

Prague

Czech Republic

March 28, 2026

The Prague Half Marathon is an

unforgettable race. The course

is pure sightseeing: the Charles

Bridge, Prague Castle, National

Theatre (Prague), Vyšehrad, and

the Rudolfinum concert hall are

just some of the landmarks runners

pass along the way. Runners

and spectators are treated to a

festive atmosphere that brings

together people from all over

the world year after year. Here,

schoolchildren run alongside

some of the fastest runners in

the world. The course is flat, fast,

and highly varied. The Prague

Half Marathon was founded 25

years ago to inspire people in the

Czech Republic to lead more active,

healthier, and happier lives.

Today, it has developed into one

of the most popular half marathons

in Europe.

In 2026, Copenhagen will host

the World Road Running Championships,

including the World

Championship half marathon. In

addition to the elite races, there

will also be a half marathon open

to all runners, which counts toward

the SuperHalfs. For this reason,

the regular half marathon—

known worldwide—will be paused.

This is largely thanks to Sifan

Hassan, who set the still-standing

European record of 65:15

minutes here in 2018. The Copenhagen

Half Marathon, which will

return as a regular event in 2027,

is also a fantastic race for everyone.

The course is like a perfect

sightseeing route, passing the

Børsen (Copenhagen), the Frederik‘s

Church (Marble Church),

and Christiansborg Palace, home

to the Danish Parliament and the

Prime Minister. After 21.0975 kilometers,

thousands of spectators

await at the finish line along

one of Copenhagen’s most famous

boulevards, Frederiksberg

Allé.

Cardiff

United Kingdom

October 4, 2026

Since its founding in 2003, the

Cardiff Half Marathon has established

itself as one of the

leading road races in the United

Kingdom. With 27,500 participants

each year, the race

regularly sells out. It is one of

the largest half marathons in

Europe—a remarkable achievement

considering that only

1,500 runners took part in the

first edition. The course passes

by the landmarks of Wales’

capital, including the beautiful

Cardiff Bay and the 12th-century

Cardiff Castle. Thousands of

spectators cheer on the runners

in a city known for its passion

for sports. In 2016, the city also

hosted the Half Marathon World

Championships.

- 63 -

Lisbon

Portugal

March 7, 2027

Valencia

Spain

October 25, 2026

The Valencia Half Marathon has

been named the best half marathon

in Spain by the Spanish

Athletics Federation. Anyone

who runs this amazing race will

understand why. It is not only

the best but also the fastest

half marathon in the country.

In fact, the course through the

city center of this Mediterranean

city may be the fastest in the

world. The speed of this course

no longer needs proof: since

2017, three world records have

already been set in Valencia. For

women, the five fastest times

ever have all been run in Valencia.

Ethiopian runner Letesenbet

Gidey set the world record

here in 2021 with 62:52. Among

men, seven of the ten fastest

times ever were also achieved

in Valencia.

With 27,000 participants, the

EDP Lisbon Half Marathon is the

largest running event in Portugal.

The course—where Ugandan

runner Jacob Kiplimo recently

set a world record of 57:20—runs

mostly flat along the banks of

the Tagus River and past historic

landmarks such as the Torre de

Belém and the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos.

Starting on the massive

25 de Abril Bridge with a view of

the Christ the King statue on the

southern bank of the Tagus is an

unforgettable experience.

April 4, 2027

Entry spots for runners in the

46th Generali Berlin Half Marathon

(April 4, 2027) will be allocated

via a lottery. The lottery

gives all interested participants

an equal chance of securing a

starting place during the registration

period. Registration for

the lottery will take place from

April 2 to May 28, 2026.

Your Road to

the 2027

Register starting April 2, 2026!

All participants in the lottery

will automatically receive their

results by email in June 2026,

allowing them to start planning

for their participation in the

Generali Berlin Half Marathon

on April 4, 2027, in good time.

Start Line!

Lottery for Race Entries at

www.generali-berliner-halbmarathon.de

HALF MARATHON EXPO

Friday, March 27 9:00 am to 8:00 pm

Saturday, March 28 9:00 am to 7:00 pm

BAMBINI RUN

presented by

ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg

Saturday, March 28

11:00 am

The HALF MARATHON EXPO on

the two days before the big race

marks the start of the season. In the

hangars and on the airfield of the

former Tempelhof Airport, there’s

much more happening than just race

bib pick-up: the latest trends and

innovations, offers on sports gear

and other events, as well as medical

advice from the SCC EVENTS Medical

Team. It’s the best way to kick off the

still-fresh season.

Tempelhof Airport

Platz der Luftbrücke 5

U-Bahn station: Platz der Luftbrücke

The first highlight of the running

season belongs to the youngest participants.

Children (up to ten years

old) show what they can already do

on courses ranging from 200 to 800

meters. On the airfield of the former

Tempelhof Airport, the Bambini runners

line up at the start in races for

different age groups.

Tempelhof Airport



What’s happening

during the half

marathon weekend

- 66 -

EXPO RETURNS TO TEMPELHOF

GARMIN BERLIN MILE

Saturday, March 28

2:00 pm

KIDS SKATING

Saturday, March 28

2:00 pm

The final 1.609 kilometers of the

original half marathon course along

the magnificent boulevard Unter den

Linden, passing through the Brandenburg

Gate shortly before the finish

line. The ultimate finisher experience

on the day before the big race.

Start: Lustgarten

Unter den Linden / Berlin Cathedral

U-Bahn station: Museumsinsel

- 67 -

High speed, fun, and action on the

grounds of the HALF MARATHON

EXPO. Children and teenagers up to

14 years old can experience the thrill

of competition on courses from 500 to

1,600 meters—completely pressurefree.

Beginners are warmly welcome!

Tempelhof Airport



WHAT‘S HAPPENING

ON SUNDAY

LIVESTREAM!

WITH RENÉ HIEPEN

9:45 AM TO 12:30 PM

YOUTUBE: SCCEVENTSTUBE

THE HALF MARATHON

Sundy, March 29 Starts starting at 9:15 am

The first start of the day is for the

inline skaters at 9:15 a.m. After that,

the wheelchair athletes and handbikers

set off on the 21.0975 km course

through Berlin. From 10:05 a.m., the

runners will be sent on their way in

five waves.

Start Inline Skating

9:15 am

Start Wheelchairs & Handbikes 9:55 am

Start Running (1st wave) 10:05 am

Start Running (2nd wave) 10:21 am

Start Running (3rd wave) 10:35 am

Start Running (4th wave) 10:50 am

Start Running (5th wave) 11:10 am

Inclusion Run

1:45 pm

Start: Spandauer Straße

Near Neptunbrunnen

Straße des 17. Juni

Berlin-Tiergarten

- 68 -

CLOSING PARTY

with a presentation of the winners

Sunday, March 29 starting at 8:00 pm

“No more half measures now!”That’s

why the party at Festsaal Kreuzberg

is all about dancing until you drop.

The awards ceremony with the top

athletes is the crowning finale of an

emotional half marathon weekend in

the capital. Admission: €5

Festsaal Kreuzberg

Berlin-Kreuzberg | Am Flutgraben 2

- 69 -

THE COURSE

Hot Spots and

Landmarks

- 70 -

The 21.0975-kilometer course through

Berlin is essentially a sightseeing tour.

At running pace, you pass by the city’s

most iconic landmarks. Since 2025, the

route’s final stretch has become even

more attractive. In the last kilometers,

both spectators and participants experience

the unique atmosphere between

Berlin Palace, Alexanderplatz, Karl-

Marx-Allee, and the Museum Island.

THE COURSE

What you experience

here in a short time

in terms of historical and

cultural landmarks cannot

be matched by even the

CHARLOTTENBURG PALACE

KM 4 | 5

fastest tourist tour. With

the Victory Column at your

feet and the Brandenburg

Gate behind you, the first

meters are nothing short

of spectacular. Passing

the Technical University

and across Ernst-Reuter-

Platz, you run four kilometers

straight to Charlottenburg

Palace. Here,

as the course continues

along Schloßstraße toward

Sophie-Charlotte-

Platz, the well-known samba

band Alegria do Samba

drums up the atmosphere.

Many spectators know

this hotspot and come

specifically to cheer on

the runners. Just before

the seven-kilometer mark,

the course takes a sharp

left onto Berlin’s most popular

shopping boulevard,

the Kurfürstendamm—or

Ku’damm. Here, the tempo

of the live music rises,

more spectators line the

streets, and the excitement

builds. Passing the

Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial

Church, you run straight

KM 12 | 13

POTSDAMER PLATZ

MEMORIAL CHURCH

KM 9 | 10

over Wittenbergplatz,

home of the KaDeWe, and

continue past Nollendorfplatz

to Potsdamer Straße.

Beyond Potsdamer

Platz, you approach Berlin’s

city center with the

towering TV Tower at Alexanderplatz

dominating

the skyline. From here, the

density of top landmarks

only increases. Thanks

to the new course layout,

you get closer to Germany’s

tallest building, at

368 meters, than on the

old route, as you make

your way through Berlin’s

heart. Between kilometers

14 and 15, the course

passes over the Gendarmenmarkt,

Berlin’s most

beautiful square, with the

Konzerthaus, the French

Cathedral, and the German

Cathedral—a bustling

hotspot on the route.

Shortly after comes the

rebuilt Berlin City Palace,

KM 14 | 15

GENDARMENMARKT

THE COURSE

now shining as the Humboldt

Forum, after the palace

ruins had been blown

up in GDR times to make

way for the Palace of the

Republic, a now-demolished

asbestos-laden GDR

building. Just past the

palace, you can get one

last cheer at the Adidas

Runners Cheering Point

before heading past Alexanderplatz

into the final

kilometers. Two of these

kilometers take you back

and forth along the broad

Karl-Marx-Allee, lined

KM 15 | 16

RED CITY HALL

BERLIN PALACE

KM 15 | 16

with massive and simultaneously

magnificent

residential buildings built

in GDR times following

Moscow-inspired designs.

From there, the course

runs almost under the TV

Tower to Rotes Rathaus

(Red City Hall), the seat of

Berlin’s city and state government.

At kilometer 19,

you cross the Spree River

on the Karl-Liebknecht

Bridge, with the Berlin

Cathedral and Museum

Island to your right. From

here, it’s straight into the

last two kilometers, which

race along the magnificent

boulevard Unter den

Linden toward the Brandenburg

Gate, passing

through the iconic symbol

of Berlin’s division just 150

meters before the finish

line. Few finishes are more

emotional. The course is

flat and especially fast,

making it ideal for setting

a personal best. It is also

very spectator-friendly,

with many points easily

accessible by U-Bahn, S-

Bahn, or bike.

BERLIN CATHEDRAL | TV TOWER

KM 18 |19 | 20

- 75 -

COURSE MAP

LEARN MORE

HERE, THE COURSE

IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS

AN INTERACTIVE MAP!

PASSING TIMES

KILOMETRES

LEADING INLINESKATERS

LEADING RUNNERS

LEADING HANDBIKERS

LAST RUNNERS

LOCATION

Start 09:15 09:55 10:05 11:28 Straße des 17. Juni before Großer Stern

1 09:16 09:57 10:07 11:37 Straße des 17. Juni | Klopstockstraße

2 09:17 09:59 10:10 11:46 Straße des 17. Juni | Einsteinufer

3 09:19 10:01 10:13 11:56 Otto-Suhr-Allee 42

4 09:20 10:03 10:16 12:05 Otto-Suhr-Allee 144

5 09:22 10:05 10:19 12:14 Schloßstraße 26

6 09:23 10:07 10:22 12:24 Droysenstraße (at Stuttgarter Platz)

7 09:25 10:09 10:25 12:33 Kurfürstendamm 73 (before Waitzstraße)

8 09:26 10:11 10:27 12:42 Kurfürstendamm 45 (right after Bleibtreustraße)

9 09:28 10:13 10:30 12:52 Kurfürstendamm 11 (before Breitscheidplatz)

10 09:29 10:15 10:33 13:01 Kleiststraße (Crossing An der Urania)

11 09:31 10:17 10:36 13:10 Bülowstraße 87 (before Potsdamer Straße)

12 09:32 10:19 10:39 13:20 Potsdamer Str. 53 (between Am Karlsbad and Schöneberger Ufer)

13 09:34 10:21 10:42 13:29 Leipziger Platz 11

14 09:35 10:23 10:45 13:38 Markgrafenstraße (between Leipziger Straße and Kronenstraße)

15 09:36 10:25 10:48 13:48 Schloßplatz 1 (between Friedrichsgracht and Breite Straße)

16 09:38 10:27 10:50 13:57 Grunerstraße (between Littenstraße and Dircksenstraße)

17 09:39 10:29 10:53 14:06 Karl-Marx-Allee 46 (before Strausberger Platz)

18 09:41 10:31 10:56 14:16 Otto-Braun-Straße (before Alexanderplatz)

19 09:42 10:33 10:59 14:25 Spandauer Straße (Crossing Karl-Liebknecht-Straße)

20 09:44 10:35 11:02 14:34 Unter den Linden (before Charlottenstraße)

21 09:45 10:37 11:05 14:44 Straße des 17. Juni (Ebertstraße)

Finish 09:45 10:37 11:05 14:44 Straße des 17. Juni

- 79 -

THE ELITE RACES

First German

victory since 1993?

Texts: Jörg Wenig

How the men’s

race could unfold

Could Germany have a

winner again for the

first time in more than

30 years at the country’s

most prestigious and largest

half marathon? On

March 29, German record

holder Amanal Petros will

line up at the start. He is

among the top favorites at

the 45th GENERALI BER-

LIN HALF MARATHON.

A year ago, the 30-yearold,

who competes for Hannover

96, already finished

a very strong third here

and improved his own German

record to 59:31 minutes.

In doing so, he became

the first German to run the

21.0975-kilometer distance

in under an hour.

After the fall of the Berlin

Wall, the half marathon in

TOP RUNNERS

AND BEST TIMES

Berlin developed into an

internationally significant

race from 1990 onwards. In

the men’s race there have

been only three German

winners—and all of them

in the early years. In 1990

and 1992, Stephan Freigang

from Cottbus won

the race; he had sensationally

captured the bronze

medal in the marathon at

Gideon Kiprotich KEN 58:49

Dominic Lobalu SUI 59:12

Amanal Petros GER 59:31

Bereket Nega ETH 60:03

Jake Smith GBR 60:31

Ben Connor GBR 60:55

Robert Koech KEN 60:56

Marc Scott GBR 61:00

Johannes Motschmann GER 61:03

Phil Sesemann GBR 61:22

Simon Boch GER 61:15

Hendrik Pfeiffer GER 61:28

Yassin El Allami MAR 61:31

Nils Voigt GER 61:35

Matthias Kyburz SUI 61:46

Sebastian Hendel GER 61:52

Benson Kiplangat KEN Debut

Sam Parsons GER Debut

MEN’S

HALF

MARATHON

RECORDS

WORLD RECORD

57:20

JACOB KIPLIMO (Uganda)

Lisbon/POR (2026)

EUROPEAN RECORD

58:41

ANDREAS ALMGREN (Sweden)

Valencia/ESP (2025)

GERMAN RECORD

59:31

AMANAL PETROS (Hannover 96)

Berlin (2025)

COURSE RECORD

58:42

ERIC KIPTANUI (Kenia)

Berlin (2018)

BERLIN RECORD

60:59

AMANAL PETROS (Marathon Team Berlin)

Ras Al Khaimah/UAE (2023)

the 1992 Summer Olympics

in Barcelona. In 1993,

Carsten Eich (Leipzig) triumphed

and even set a


minutes.

European winners in the

Berlin men’s race are also

exceptional. Apart from

the three German victors,

there has been only one other

winner since 1990 who

did not come from Africa:

in 2001, the Spaniard Fabián

Roncero triumphed with

a European record time of

59:52 minutes. This continental

best stood for 14

years.

“We are very pleased that

with Amanal Petros we

have a German runner on

the start line who has the

ability to compete right at

the front, and we are excited

to see how it goes,”

says race director Mark

ACE IN FOCUS

Dominic Lobalu

Age: 27

Nationality: Switzerland

Personal Best: 59:12 min

Dominic Lobalu is the Swiss half

marathon record holder and one

of Europe’s strongest road and

track runners. Until now, the

27-year-old has focused more

on track long-distance events.

He is the European champion

over 10,000 meters and finished

fourth in the 5,000 meters at the

2024 Olympic Games. However,

this spring, Dominic Lobalu already

ran an excellent half marathon,

finishing second in Barcelona

in 59:26 minutes.

At the age of nine, Dominic Lobalu

fled from South Sudan to Kenya.

There, he began running at

15 and became a member of the

IOC Refugee Team, which was

coached in Kenya by former marathon

world record holder and

Tegla Loroupe, a winner of the

Berlin Marathon. After a competition

in Switzerland in 2019,

however, Dominic Lobalu went

missing, did not take the return

flight to Kenya, and effectively

fled a second time.

- 85 -

Milde. The organizers have

known for some time that

the runner-up at the marathon

world championships

in Tokyo in 2025

wants to try to attack the


minutes. “That time is

even one second faster

than our course record.

But it doesn’t make sense

to speculate about record

attempts beforehand. On

race day, everything has to

come together,” says Mark

Milde.

Third on the list with

the record in sight

With his German record,

Amanal Petros is the thirdfastest

runner on the start

list. Based on personal

bests, number one is Gideon

Kiprotich, who won the

Roma-Ostia Half Marathon

a year ago in 58:49. However,

that course is not record-eligible.

The Kenyan

also competed in the GE-


RATHON last year, finishing

eighth in 61:25.

Swiss runner among

the favorites

At short notice, Dominic

Lobalu decided to compete

in Berlin. The Swiss record

holder (59:12) has already

shown strong form this

year with a second-place

finish at the Barcelona Half

Marathon. Among the favorites

is also the Ethiopian

Bereket Nega, who has

a half marathon personal

best of 60:03. A surprise

could come from a Kenyan

debutant: Benson Kiplangat,

who won the bronze

medal at the 2024 World

Cross Country Championships.

- 86 -

Five more top German

runners and one promising

debutant will start on

March 29: Johannes Motschmann

(Marathon Team

Berlin / PB: 61:03), his training

partners Simon Boch

(61:15) and Hendrik Pfeiffer

(both Düsseldorf Athletics

/ 61:28), Nils Voigt (TV Wattenscheid

/ 61:35), and Sebastian

Hendel (Marathon

Team Berlin / 61:52) have

all already shown strong

performances in the half

marathon.

Unofficial German

Championships

Sam Parsons (SCC Berlin)

will also run his first race

over the “half distance.” In

this way, the 45th GENE-

RALI BERLIN HALF MARA-

THON is practically becoming

the unofficial German

championship.

TOP TEN OF ALL

TIME IN BERLIN

58:42 Eric Kiptanui KEN 2018

58:43 Gemechu Dida ETH 2025

58:55 Alex Kibet KEN 2022

58:56 Patrick Makau KEN 2007

58:57 Felix Kipkoech KEN 2021

59:00 Sabastian Sawe KEN 2023

59:07 Paul Kosgei KEN 2006

59:11 Alex Kibet KEN 2023

59:14 Dennis Kimetto KEN 2012

59:14 Leonard Komon KEN 2014

GERMAN FAVORITE

Amanal Petros

Age: 30

Club: Hannover 96


On the

Way to

the Top of

Europe

Amanal Petros is the fastest German road

runner of all time. The 30-year-old holds

the German records in the half and full marathon

with times of 59:31 minutes and

2:04:03 hours, respectively. In a sensational

performance, he won the silver medal in

the marathon at the 2025 World Athletics

Championships in Tokyo. In 2026, he aims

to challenge the European records over

21.0975 and 42.195 kilometers.

FAVORITE: AMANAL PETROS

Amanal Petros was

born in Eritrea. As a

teenager, he fled to Germany.

For many years, he was

part of the training group

at TV Wattenscheid, where

he trained under Tono

Kirschbaum alongside marathon

runners Hendrik

Pfeiffer and Tom Gröschel.

In 2023 and 2024, Amanal

Petros competed for the

Marathon Team Berlin of

SCC Berlin, and since the

beginning of 2025 he has

been running for Hannover

96. However, he spends

most of the year training

in Kenya, where in Iten he

joins the group of the Italian

success coach Renato

Canova.

A year ago, the 30-year-old,

who competes for Hannover

96, already ran a very

strong third place here and

improved his own German

record to 59:31 minutes.

In doing so, he became the

first German to complete

the 21.0975-kilometer distance

in under an hour. On

March 29, Amanal Petros

will be among the favorites.

For 2026, he has set

his sights on attacking the

European records in both

the half and full marathon:

“In 2025, I had the two

German records in the half

marathon and marathon in

my sights. After improving

both, I now want to go after

the European records. I believe

58:41 in the half marathon

and 2:03:36 in the

marathon are possible,” he

explains.

Amanal Petros is the first

athlete in the history of

German athletics to break

and simultaneously hold

- 90 -

GERMAN HOPE

Johannes Motschmann

Age: 31

Club: Marathon Team Berlin


Johannes Motschmann has already

pulled off a surprise at the


RATHON. In 2022, he was the

fastest German runner ahead

of Amanal Petros, recording a

personal best of 61:45 minutes.

Last year, he improved this to

61:03 in Houston, placing him

an impressive fifth on the all-time

list of fastest German half

marathon runners. Originally a

3,000-meter steeplechase runner,

Johannes Motschmann dis-

covered long-distance road running

somewhat by chance during

the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to

limited competition opportunities,

he decided to run the open

Austrian Marathon Championships

in Vienna in December

2020. With a time of 2:14:38, he

delivered a surprisingly strong

debut. Less than two years later,

he finished 16th at the European

Championships in Munich and

won a team silver medal with the

German marathon squad.

FAVORIT: FAVORITE: SABASTIAN AMANAL PETROS SAWE

the three most significant

national road race records

(10 km, half marathon,

and marathon). After also

breaking the 10 km record

with a time of 27:32 minutes

in February 2023, he

held all three records simultaneously

until early

December 2024.

A notable achievement for

Amanal Petros came in the

half marathon at the 2024

European Championships

in Rome, where he finished

third. It was the first time

a German runner won a

medal in the men’s race at

an international half marathon

championship. Just

300 meters from the finish,

he was still in contention

for the title, but he stepped

on the track border in the

In 2024, Amanal Petros won the

European Championship silver

medal in the half marathon in Rome.

- 92 -

GERMAN HOPE

Simon Boch

Age: 31

Club: Düsseldorf Athletics


After a long battle with injuries,

Simon Boch made his comeback

in the fall of 2025. He first

won the 10 km races in Siegburg

(German Championships)

and Berlin, then set a personal

best at the Valencia Marathon.

The 31-year-old improved

his time by 30 seconds in the

highly competitive race, finishing

in 2:08:55. Simon Boch

comes from St. Georgen in the

Black Forest. In 2014, he joined

LG Telis Finanz Regensburg,

training under Kurt Ring.

In 2020 and 2021, he was named

Germany’s Road Runner of

the Year. In 2022, he was part

of the German marathon team

that won the silver medal in the

team classification at the European

Championships in Munich.

In the individual race, he

finished 50th in a heat-affected

competition. This year, he could

compete again at the European

Championships in Birmingham.

Since the beginning of the year,

Simon Boch has been competing

for Düsseldorf Athletics

and training alongside Hendrik

Pfeiffer.

stadium, twisted his ankle,

and lost second place as

well. Even worse luck followed

two months later at

the Olympic Games, where

an infection weakened

him so much that he had

to drop out of the race in

Paris.

However, in 2025, Amanal

Petros made a spectacular

comeback with

further exceptional performances.

First, at the


MARATHON, he broke his

own German half marathon

record and became

Sensational

success in

Tokyo: In 2025,

Amanal Petros

narrowly missed

the world championship

title

but celebrated

winning silver

in the marathon.

- 94 -

GERMAN HOPE

Hendrik Pfeiffer

Age: 33



Hendrik Pfeiffer has steadily improved

over the past few years.

The marathon is his strongest

event, and with his personal best

of 2:06:45 set last December in

Valencia, he is now the fourthfastest

German marathon runner

of all time. He has also achieved

notable placements in top-level

marathon races, finishing 7th in

London in 2024 and 8th in Berlin

in 2025. In the half marathon,

Hendrik Pfeiffer still has room

for improvement. In the summer

of 2025, he improved his

time to 61:28 in Larne, Northern

Ireland. However, this does not

yet reflect his full potential and

keeps him outside the top 10 on

the German all-time list. Hendrik

Pfeiffer lives in Düsseldorf and is

married to long-distance runner

Esther Pfeiffer (née Jacobitz),

whom he also coaches part-time.

She is the fastest German

runner on the start list for the

GENERALI BERLINER HALBMA-

RATHON. Since this year, Simon

Boch has been a training partner

of Pfeiffer.

the first German to run

under the one-hour barrier

(59:31). His third-place

finish was the best result

for a German athlete

in the men’s race since

Carsten Eich’s victory

in 1993. In the summer,

Amanal Petros won a sensational

silver medal in

the marathon at the World

Championships in Tokyo

success lies in Kenya.

“Without running there

and the training group of

Renato Canova, this development

wouldn’t have

been possible. Renato Canova

is the most important

person; he plans the

training—I am very grateful

to him,” he says.

A year ago, Amanal Petros celebrated

his German record in front of the Brandenburg

Gate. And he would love to

celebrate again on March 29.

Perhaps even a victory?

- 96 -

GERMAN HOPE

Sebastian Hendel

Age: 30



Berlin has generally been a good

venue for Sebastian Hendel.

Here, he set his personal bests

in the three most important road

races. Already in 2021, he ran

his still-standing 10 km personal

record of 28:35 at the Berlin

Invitational. Two years later,

he improved at the GENERALI

BERLIN HALF MARATHON with

a time of 61:52, and in 2024 he

ran the best race of his career at

the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON:

he improved to 2:07:33 and was

the fastest German runner at

the 50th anniversary of the race.

This still makes him the fifth-fastest

German marathon runner of

all time. After a disappointing

2025—he did not finish either

the BMW Berlin Marathon or the

Valencia Marathon—Sebastian

Hendel is now hoping for a successful

spring. His wife, Kristina

Hendel, is also a long-distance

runner and will compete in the

GENERALI BERLIN HALF MARA-

THON.

GERMAN HOPE

Nils Voigt

Age: 28

Club: TV Wattenscheid

Personal Best: 61:35min

Nils Voigt still splits his focus between

track and road running. The

28-year-old has achieved particularly

strong results over 10,000

meters on the track. He finished

fourth at the 2021 European Cup

and a year later placed eighth at

the European Championships in

Munich. His personal best over

the 25-lap distance is 27:30.01

minutes, making him the fourthfastest

German 10,000-meter

runner of all time and the fastest

since the turn of the millennium.

However, it appears that long

road distances may offer Nils

Voigt better opportunities for a

successful future career. He has

run the half marathon only twice.

During one of the few races held

amid the COVID-19 lockdowns,

he made a strong debut in Dresden

in 2021 with 61:35, which remains

his personal best. In 2024,

he ran 63:56 in Hamburg. In his

second marathon, Nils Voigt improved

last autumn in Amsterdam

to 2:08:22.

- 98 -

How the Women’s

Race Could Unfold

The Ethiopian Likina

Amebaw is the favorite

in the women’s race.

Two German runners could

also play a strong role: Esther

Pfeiffer and Domenika

Mayer have both recently

made significant improvements.

It was only last year that

Likina Amebaw made her

breakthrough over the half

marathon distance. The

Ethiopian surprised everyone

by winning the highprofile

race in Copenhagen

and set a course record of

64:44 minutes. This was

only her second time under

70:00, and at 28 years

old, she improved by more

than four minutes in one

race. Likina Amebaw has

prepared long-term for the


MARATHON and will surely

aim to use the fast course

to set another personal

best.

It took the Ethiopian several

years to reach a higher

international level. In

2022, she ran under 70 minutes

for the first time at

the Warsaw Half Marathon

(69:01). However, apart

from a 10 km race in Paris

in 2024, where she won in

29:56, she initially did not

achieve top-level times. In

- 100 -

FAVORITE

Likina Amebaw

Age: 28

Nationality: Ethiopia


WOMEN’S

HALF

MARATHON

RECORDS

WORLD RECORD

62:52

LETESENBET GIDEY (Ethiopia)

Valencia/ESP (2021)

EUROPEAN RECORD

65:15

SIFAN HASSAN (Netherlands)

Copenhagen/DEN (2018)

GERMAN RECORD

65:18

MELAT KEJETA (Laufteam Kassel)

Gdynia/POL (2020)

COURSE RECORD

63:35

FOTYEN TESFAY (Ethiopia)

Berlin (2025)

BERLIN REKORD

67:58

UTA PIPPIG (SCC Berlin)

Kyoto/JPN (1995)

2025, she first improved

over 10 km in Castellon,

Spain, with 29:40, followed

by the biggest victory of

her career so far. In September,

she won the highprofile

Copenhagen Half

Marathon in 64:44 minutes,

improving by more

than four minutes and setting

a course record.

Likina Amebaw started

2026 very strongly: in January,

she ran a top-level

10 km personal best of

29:29 in Valencia, raising

hopes for further improvement

at the GENERALI


She may even reach a time

under 64:00 and challenge

the course record, set last

year by her compatriot Fo-

tyen Tesfay at 63:35. Since

another Ethiopian, Tekle

Muluat, won two years

ago, an Ethiopian victory

this year could complete a

“hat-trick” in Berlin.

The strongest expected

competitor to the favorite

Likina Amebaw is the Kenyan

Veronica Loleo, who

improved to 65:46 last October

in Valencia. A potential

surprise could come

from a very young runner:

the 19-year-old Ethiopian

Melal Siyoum, who ran

an impressive 67:21 in her

first international race last

autumn in New Delhi.

Among the Europeans, Samantha

Harrison is the fastest

on the start list with

her personal best of 67:10,

TOP WOMEN

RUNNERS AND

PERSONAL BESTS

Likina Amebaw ETH 64:44

Veronica Loleo KEN 65:46

Samantha Harrison GBR 67:10

Melal Siyoum ETH 67:21

Daisilah Jerono KEN 67:27

Esther Pfeiffer GER 67:28

Domenika Mayer GER 68:08

Fabienne Schlumpf SUI 68:27

Tabithanjeri Kamau KEN 68:35

Carla Gallardo ESP 69:14

Lauren McNeil GBR 69:38

Deborah Schöneborn GER 69:41

Gesa Krause GER 69:47

Chloe Herbiet BEL 70:04

Rabea Schöneborn GER 70:35

Kristina Hendel GER 70:38

Lisa Rooms BEL Debüt

High speed at

Charlottenburg Palace.

The top runners barely

have a glance for the

sights along the course.

but Chloe Herbiet also deserves

attention. The Belgian

has a personal best of

70:04 but is the European

half marathon champion.

Two German runners also

have strong chances: Esther

Pfeiffer (Düsseldorf

Athletics) returns to the


MARATHON, where she

was the fastest German

runner last year. In the meantime,

she has improved

- 104 -

to 67:28. Domenika Mayer

(LG Telis Finanz Regensburg)

could also play a

strong role; she will run the

GENERALI BERLIN HALF-

MARATHON for the first

time and already showed

very good form in February

in Barcelona, improving by

over a minute to 68:08.

A broad German elite field

will also compete in the

women’s race. Four more

national top runners are

on the start list: Deborah

Schöneborn (Marathon

Team Berlin / PB: 69:41),

3,000 m steeplechase specialist

Gesa Krause (Silvesterlauf

Trier / 69:47), Rabea

Schöneborn (70:35),

the twin sister of Deborah,

and Kristina Hendel (both

Marathon Team Berlin /

70:38).

TOP TEN OF ALL

TIME IN BERLIN

63:35 Fotyen Tesfay ETH 2025

65:02 Sheila Kiprotich Chepkirui KEN 2022

65:15 Joyciline Jepkosgei KEN 2021

65:21 Nancy Meto KEN 2021

65:43 Eilish McColgan GBR 2023

65:45 Sifan Hassan NED 2019

65:50 Joyce Chepkemoi KEN 2022

66:13 Tsigie Gebreselama ETH 2023

66:27 Yalemget Yaregal ETH 2023

66:34 Irene Kimais KEN 2022

GERMAN HOPE

Esther Pfeiffer

Age: 28



Rapid

Rise

on the

Road

Esther Pfeiffer is the third-fastest German

female half marathon runner of all time.

Ahead of her on this list are only Melat Kejeta

with 65:18 and Konstanze Klosterhalfen

with 65:41 minutes. Over the course of

roughly three years, Esther Pfeiffer improved

by more than eight minutes over the

21.0975-kilometer distance after switching

from track to road running. On March 29,

she aims to make further progress in Berlin.

ESTHER PFEIFFER

A

year ago, Esther Pfeiffer

was already the

fastest German runner

at the GENERALI BERLIN

HALF MARATHON. For insiders,

this came as no surprise

given her promising

development, but many

were impressed. Before

the race, she was ranked

17th on the all-time list of

fastest German female half

marathon runners. After finishing

seventh and improving

to 69:15 minutes, she

moved up to ninth place.

Her strong progress continued

in the meantime. At

the half marathon in Cologne

in early October, Esther

Pfeiffer improved significantly

again. The wife

of marathon runner Hendrik

Pfeiffer won the race

in 67:28. This makes her

currently the third-fastest

In Cologne, Esther Pfeiffer ran 67:28, placing third on the all-time

German best list. In the background, her husband Hendrik Pfeiffer

cheers—he had paced her to this performance.

GERMAN HOPE

Domenika Mayer

Age: 35

Club: LG Telis Finanz Regensburg


Domenika Mayer had a perfect

start to 2026. At the Barcelona

Half Marathon in February, she

improved to 68:08, moving up

to fifth place on the all-time list

of fastest German women over

this distance. Now, as she competes

for the first time in the

GENERALI BERLINER HALBMA-

RATHON, she aims to improve

on that time. The German capital

has been a good venue for

Domenika Mayer. She set both

her personal marathon record

(2:23:16) and her 10 km best

(31:43) in Berlin in 2025. After

catching up to the German elite

in long-distance running during

the COVID-19 pandemic,

she won the Hanover Marathon

three times (2022, 2024,

and 2025), finished sixth at the

European Championships marathon

in Munich in 2022, and

was the fastest German runner

at the 2024 Olympic marathon

in Paris, placing 28th. She has

been the most consistent German

marathon runner in recent

years.

German female runner of

all time. Ahead of her on

the list are only Melat Kejeta

(Laufteam Kassel) with

65:18 and Konstanze Klosterhalfen

(Bayer Leverkusen

/ 65:41). Over roughly

three years, Esther Pfeiffer

improved by more than

eight minutes over the

21.0975-kilometer distance.

She had actually planned

to improve further at the

high-profile Valencia Half

Marathon at the end of

October on the very fast

course. However, just before

the race, the Düsseldorf

runner decided not to

start. “I was physically and

mentally exhausted after

months of training. On top

of that, I experienced sto-

Successful podcaster:

Together with Maike Lea

Nitsch, Esther Pfeiffer regularly

records the

podcast “Glitzerflitzer.”

- 110 -

GERMAN HOPE

Deborah Schöneborn

Age: 32



Deborah Schöneborn will be

starting the GENERALI BERLIN

HALF MARATHON for the fifth

time. In 2019, she achieved her

best placement as seventh,

and in 2023 she recorded her

fastest time of 72:12 minutes

(12th place). A result in this

range would represent an upward

trend for Deborah Schöneborn.

Since narrowly missing

the marathon Olympic qualification

by just 23 seconds in

early 2024, her career had faced

a setback. This was primarily

due to a long-lasting foot injury,

which kept her from racing

over the full 42.195 km marathon

distance for 15 months.

In Hanover, she returned with

a time of 2:29:30, but she was

still some way from her previous

performance level in 2025.

Alongside her twin sister Rabea

Schöneborn, who will also compete

in the GENERALI BERLIN

HALF MARATHON, “Debbie”

Schöneborn has shown strong

development. A highlight of her

career was 18th place in the

Olympic marathon in Sapporo,

Japan, in 2021.

mach problems after taking

a supplement. That’s

why I decided shortly before

the start not to run—my

only goal would have been

a personal best, but that

was no longer realistic,”

explains Esther Pfeiffer,

describing her unusual but

courageous decision.

After being named Runner

of the Year by laufen.de and

the events organized by

German Road Races, and

after Hendrik Pfeiffer ran a

personal best of 2:06:45 at

the Valencia Marathon in

early December, she took

a break and went on vacation.

At the beginning of

the year, she already participated

in a three-and-ahalf-week

altitude training

camp in Kenya. Before the

first competitions of the

year, Esther Pfeiffer felt fit-

On March 29, Esther Pfeiffer

would like to cross the finish

line as the fastest German

again—and ideally celebrate

a new personal best.

GERMAN HOPE

Gesa Krause

Age: 32

Club: Silvesterlauf Trier


Gesa Krause is the most successful

German runner over

3000 meters steeplechase. On

the road, however, things have

been comparatively bumpy for

the 32-year-old. She failed to

finish both her half marathon

debut in 2018 in Ras Al Khaimah

(United Arab Emirates)

and her first marathon last

December in Valencia. In the

half marathon, she improved

to 69:46 minutes in The Hague

in 2025. But shortly after,

at the GENERALI BERLIN HALF

MARATHON, she ran 70:02 and

placed 11th, falling short of expectations.

Now returning to

the GENERALI BERLIN HALF

MARATHON, Gesa Krause is coming

off a season focused on

the 3000 meters steeplechase.

This remains her primary focus,

where she has achieved

great success. The German record

holder (9:03.30) was twice

European champion (2016

and 2018) and won bronze at

the World Championships twice

(2015 and 2019).

ter than she had before the

half marathon in Cologne

last October.

This spring, the GENERALI


will be her first major race

of the season. “In Berlin, I

want to significantly beat

my personal best,” says

Esther Pfeiffer, who finished

18th in the half marathon

at the 2024 European

Championships in Rome

and won the team silver

medal with the German

squad.

Putting Studies on

Hold for Fast Running

The runner, who is currently

taking a break from her

psychology studies, already

ran a marathon in 2023. In

Cologne, she won immediately

with a time of 2:37:00,

although there was no significant

competition. Her

current half marathon personal

best suggests that

she could be around 15 minutes

faster over the full

marathon distance.

The Dream of the

Olympics in L.A.

In the fall, Esther Pfeiffer

plans to run her first serious

race over the classic

marathon distance. If she

can transfer her potential

from the half marathon to

the full marathon, she has

a chance to qualify for the

2028 Olympic Games in

Los Angeles. “Of course, it’s

my dream to run the marathon

at the Olympics—and

ideally, Hendrik and I would

both compete in Los Angeles,”

she says.

- 114 -

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THE MARATHON TEAM BERLIN

Team-Spirit for

Top Performance

SCC EVENTS is not

only the organizer

of races such as the

GENERALI BERLIN

HALF MARATHON

and the BMW BERLIN-

MARATHON—with the

Marathon Team Berlin,

the company also supports

long-distance

runners who either

already belong to the

national elite or are on

their way there. What

defines the team and

which members will

start on March 29 can

be found here.

THE MARATHON TEAM BERLIN

The GENERALI BERLIN

HALF MARATHON is

also a very special event

for the Marathon Team

Berlin. At the start of the

season, the top male and

female athletes supported

by SCC EVENTS and adidas

come together in the

German capital. Almost all

of them will compete over

the 21.0975-kilometre distance.

The major running

events organized by SCC

EVENTS are also extremely

important for the team spirit

of these individual athletes.

“Our philosophy is that

the members compete for

the Marathon Team Berlin,

while at the same time

being able to organize their

own training environments

individually so they can develop

their performance

in the best possible way,”

says Julia Seifert, who is

responsible for the Marathon

Team Berlin at SCC

EVENTS.

This is how Sebastian Hendel

and Kristina Hendel live

with their child as a family

in the Vogtland region of

Saxony. At the BMW BER-

LIN-MARATHON 2024, he

ran the best race of his career

so far, improving his

time to 2:07:33 and finishing

as the fastest German

runner at the event’s 50th

anniversary. Away from the

sport, Sebastian Hendel’s

life is anything but boring:

he is a father, is completing

a diploma degree in industrial

engineering, and also

works part-time as an IT

project manager at a consulting

firm.

In the Hendel household,

elite sport is a family affair:

Sebastian is coached by his

father, and his wife Kristina

- 118 -

LINE UP

The Marathon

Team Berlin at the

45th GENERALI

BERLIN HALF

MARATHON

Johannes Motschmann (31)

PB: 61:03 min | Profile on page xx

Sebastian Hendel (30)


Deborah Schöneborn (32)


Rabea Schöneborn (32)

PB: 70:35 min

Kristina Hendel (29)

PB: 70:38 min

Katja Fischer (34)

PB: 75:18 min

Ada Werner (18)

Debut

Lucia Hemeling (24)

Pacer

Experience and talent in the

Marathon Team Berlin: The twins

Deborah and Rabea Schöneborn

have long been among Germany’s

marathon elite, while Lucia Hemeling

is still on her way there.

is also a professional runner

who specializes in the

marathon distance. With a

personal best of 2:27:29,

she ranks among the top

20 German women of all

time. In 2022, she won gold

with the German marathon

team at the European

Championships.

Creating the Best

Possible Environment

It can happen that both

of them are competing at

races at the same time.

Fortunately, the whole family

lives nearby. Parents,

grandparents, siblings—

everyone lives in the same

region. That makes many

things easier. The Hendels

live in the town of Reichenbach,

which has around

20,000 residents, about

halfway between Chemnitz

and Hof in Bavaria.

They are a perfect example

of how the Marathon Team

Berlin supports its athletes

within the best possible

individual environment.

The same applies to Theodor

Schucht, who runs the

5,000 metres in 13:46, studies

in Boston, and comes

to Germany for races in

the summer when he is not

competing for his university

in the United States. The

22-year-old represented

Germany at the 2025 European

U23 Championships

in Bergen, Norway.

Utilizing

Medical Resources

What makes the Marathon

Team Berlin special as well

are the training camp subsidies

and the fact that

all members can access

the medical resources of

SCC EVENTS. The medical

- 121 -

team, including marathon

physician Matthias Krüll,

Margrit Lock, and physiotherapist

Florian Müller, is

there to support them. Performance

diagnostics for

training management are

also part of the offerings.

Equipment for

Young Talents

This is used most intensively

by the team members

who live and train in Berlin.

These are primarily the

Schöneborn twins, Deborah

and Rabea, who have been

part of the team since it

began operating under the

name Marathon Team Berlin.

It is especially important

for young talents like Ada

Werner—a two-time bronze

medalist over 3,000 metres

at the German Youth Championships—but

also for runners

like Lucia Hemeling or

Anna Langerwisch, who are

still in Germany’s second

tier in their mid-20s and

do not yet have individual

sponsorship contracts.

They receive top running

shoes and equipment from

adidas for free, allowing

them to develop their performance.

At the GENERALI BERLIN

HALF MARATHON, eight of

them aim to take the next

step—whether that’s achieving

a new personal best,

making their debut, or returning

to near their previous

level after injury-related

setbacks. Members of

the Marathon Team Berlin

are also looking forward

to reuniting with the large

group in the capital.

- 122 -

BERLIN FROM ABOVE

TV Tower Victory Column Radio Tower

At 368 meters, the tallest

structure in Germany.

The Sphere restaurant

is located 207

meters above the city

and rotates 360° once

per hour.

The 50-meter-high

accessible column is

affectionately called

“Goldelse” by Berliners

and offers a fantastic

panoramic view over

central Berlin.

From the 126-meterhigh

platform at the

exhibition grounds, you

have a spectacular panoramic

view of Berlin’s

landmarks and the Grunewald.

Beyond

the course

Berlin, this fascinating city where

everyone can do their own thing, has

so much that is exciting and entertaining

to offer: shows and history,

nightlife, theaters, pubs, cabaret, jazz

clubs, restaurants, vibrant neighborhoods

and green oases, museums,

monuments and attractions, shopping

malls and art markets. Here you’ll find

the best tips for the days around the

half marathon weekend.

SIGHTSEEING

Checkpoint Charlie

The best-known border crossing between the East and West is a

symbol of important events in world history, spy thrillers, tragic escapes

and happy moments. The Mauermuseum (Wall Museum) –

Museum Haus am Checkpoint Charlie - tells all these stories.

© Imago Images/Depositphotos

Berliner Zoo

Charming, historic, and endlessly

diverse: covering more

than 35 hectares, the Zoo Berlin

offers exotic animal worlds

ranging from elephants and

quokkas to clever Komodo dragons.

The zoo stands out for its

remarkable species diversity, relaxed

walking paths, and lovingly

designed open enclosures.

erlin,

Gendarmenmarkt

The Gendarmenmarkt is one of the most beautiful squares in Berlin.

The three monumental buildings — Deutscher Dom, Französischer

Dom, and the Konzerthaus Berlin — beautifully frame the square in Berlin-Mitte.

The eventful history of the Gendarmenmarkt can be traced

back to the 17th century. Each historical period has left its architectural

mark here.

Brandenburg Gate

The 20-meter-high triumphal

arch, the Brandenburg Gate, is

regarded as a symbol of reunified

Germany. During the division

of Germany, the border between

East and West Berlin ran

here.

SIGHTSEEING

Route 100 double-decker bus

Take the No. 100 double-decker bus on a journey of discovery

through the city center. Along the route between Zoologischer

Garten Berlin and Alexanderplatz, the highlights line up like pearls

on a string. The best seat in the house with the finest view is upstairs

right at the very front, by the large windshield.

Underground

worlds

Air-raid–style tunnels, bunkers,

and forgotten depths

of the city’s history. Dense

in atmosphere, educational,

and with a touch of

adventure: here, Berlin’s

history can be experienced

quite literally “underground.”

CULTURE & CELEBRATION

ON HALF MARATHON WEEKEND

THURSDAY | March 26

Varieté: Taverna Stories – A Wild Variety Spectacle l Pfefferberg Theater — 8:00 PM

Classical: 10 Years of the Baroque Philharmonic l Kammermusiksaal — 7:00 PM

Exhibition: Bubble Planet l Arena Berlin — from 10:00 AM

Show: Frau Luna | Tipi at the Chancellery — 8:00 PM

FRIDAY | March 27

Cabaret: A Revue: The Future Is Temporarily Unreachable

Kabarett-Theater Die Stachelschweine — 8:00 PM

Theater: Ballet Revolucion l Admiralspalast Berlin — 7:30 PM

Exhibition: 100 Years of On-the-Go Telephoning

Museum für Kommunikation Berlin — from 9:00 AM

Lecture: Infinite Worlds | Zeiss-Großplanetarium — 11:00 AM

SATURDAY | March 28

Family: Polar Experience – The immersive exhibition on the Arctic and Antarctic

Arena Berlin — from 10:00 AM

Show: BLINDED by DELIGHT l Friedrichstadtpalast Berlin — 3:30/7:30 PM

Concert: Muttis Kinder – 20 Years | Bar jeder Vernunft — 8:00 PM

Theater: Egal | Schaubühne am Lehniner Platz — 8:30 PM

Musical: Sven Ratzke: From Head to Toe Marlene | Renaissance-Theater Berlin — 7:30 PM

SUNDAY | March 29

Classical: 750. NoonSong - Mozart mit Pauken und Trompeten

Kirche am Hohenzollernplatz — from 12:00 PM

Show: BLINDED by DELIGHT l Friedrichstadtpalast Berlin — 3:30 PM

Comedy: Margot Schlözke’s Shadow Cabinet | BKA Theater Berlin — 7:00 PM

Party: After-Show Party of the GENERALI Berliner Halbmarathon

Festsaal Kreuzberg — from 8:00 PM

MONDAY | March 30

Family: The Magic Dream Tree | Zeiss-Großplanetarium — 9:30 AM

Theater: Goodbye Berlin | Volksbühne – Großes Haus — 7:30 PM

Comedy: Ingmar Stadelmann Meets Tutty Tran | Die Wühlmäuse — 8:00 PM

Photography: Eastern Views | Museum in der Kulturbrauerei — from 9:00 AM

SHOPPING

The Playce

The Playce represents a new chapter in urban experiences at Potsdamer

Platz. Where shopping meets lifestyle, this modern center

combines international flair with a diverse range of dining and leisure

options. Spacious architecture, sunlit areas, and contemporary

design create an open atmosphere—ideal for a relaxed break between

city strolls and business appointments. Culinary offerings at

The Playce include a wide selection of restaurants, cafés, and food

concepts—from quick snacks and international cuisine to stylish

bars for an after-work drink. Creative street-food ideas meet classic

favorites, with vegetarian and vegan options included. Whether for

breakfast, lunch, or dinner, the varied gastronomy makes The Playce

a hub for food lovers. In addition to its culinary offerings, entertainment

highlights, events, and innovative store concepts provide plenty

of variety. Centrally located and excellently connected, The Playce

is the perfect destination for anyone looking to enjoy shopping, gastronomy,

and urban lifestyle right in the heart of Berlin.

- 130 -

Bikini Berlin

Berlin

Located right at the Zoologischer Garten Berlin, Bikini Berlin is far

more than a shopping center—it is a concept mall that combines

fashion, design, and gastronomy into a creative experience. Between

international labels and Berlin independent brands, pop-up

stores regularly showcase fresh ideas and limited-edition collections.

The sunlit halls with industrial charm and the large outdoor

terrace with panoramic views of the zoo’s monkey enclosure create

an atmosphere that invites browsing and lingering.

TOP SPORTS EVENTS DURING

HALF MARATHON WEEKEND

THURSDAY | March 26

U20 International Men’s Football Match

Germany vs Czech Republic | Poststadion Berlin — 4:45 PM

FRIDAY | March 27

BetMGM Premier League of Darts 2026

Uber Arena — 7:00 PM

FRIDAY-SUNDAY | March 27-29

Figure Skating SCC Cup

Eissporthalle P09 at Glockenturm — 4:00 PM

SATURDAY-SUNDAY| March 28-29

Fencing: Berlin Spring Tournament

Große Fechthalle in Fechtzentrum, Münchener Straße 49

© Imago Images/Nordphotos

FOOD & MORE

Fire Tiger

The flavors of Asia at one

of the liveliest squares

in Berlin-Friedrichshain:

fresh sushi and sashimi

varieties, creative rolls,

and Japanese-inspired

wok dishes delight food

lovers. There are also vegan

and classic options,

fresh salads, soups, and

tempura sides—perfect

for a relaxed dinner.

Bantabaa Food Dealer

Bantabaa brings the flavors of West Africa to Kreuzberg: in a cozy atmosphere,

traditional Gambian dishes are served—from spicy stews

and rice or peanut dishes to fried pastries and plantains. The project

was created as a culinary meeting place with cultural significance,

and the hearty, flavorful dishes reflect this tradition.

Mervan Bistro

At Mervan Bistro, street food

meets Oriental-Mediterranean

influences. Döner combines with

juicy burgers, crispy chicken, and

a variety of vegetarian and vegan

options—everything freshly

prepared and served with crisp

vegetables and homemade sauces.

Häppies

Häppies serves creative Germknödel—fluffy

dumpling classics

in both savory and sweet variations,

combined with regional and

international flavors. For example,

with caper sauce and mustard

caviar, with goat cheese and walnut

pesto, or in vegan and exotic

versions.

Maximilians Berlin

A taste of Bavarian tavern culture in the capital: Maximilians Berlin

combines South German coziness with urban Berlin flair. In the spacious,

wood-paneled dining room with long tables and authentic beer

cellar atmosphere, you feel like you’re in Munich. Culinary highlights

include classic specialties such as crispy pork knuckle, tender beef

roulades, hearty Eisbein, homemade bread dumplings, and flavorful

sausages. Seasonal specialties and vegetarian alternatives are also

served. A special focus is placed on the house’s beer culture: freshly

tapped beer specialties, typical Bavarian varieties, and rotating seasonal

brews.

TIPP

LOST SOMETHING?

→ Lost and Found Office

of the State of Berlin

Tempelhof, Platz der Luftbrücke,

to the right of the entrance

to the former Tempelhof

Airport.

+49 (0) 30 902 773 101

FAMILY

Technology Museum

Here, the colorful world of technology comes to life. Curiosity and

the urge to explore can be fully satisfied. Discovering and experimenting

is the motto for adults as well.

Museum of Musical

Instruments

Musical instruments of European

art music from the 16th

to the 21st century. Around

800 instruments can be viewed,

many of them in playable

condition.

SCC EVENTS would like

to thank its official

sponsors and partners

for their kind support

Der Polizeipräsident in Berlin | Berliner Feuerwehr

Verlag Der Tagesspiegel GmbH | Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG)

ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg | Bezirksamt Mitte von Berlin

Berliner Tiefbauämter: Mitte-Tiergarten, Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf,

Tempelhof-Schöneberg, Kreuzberg-Friedrichshain

Renault Retail Group Deutschland GmbH Niederlassung Berlin

K-TEL Communications GmbH | Kloster Kitchen | WWF Deutschland

Feels.Like | Blistex | Sebamed

Senatsverwaltung für Inneres und Sport

Senatsverwaltung für Stadtentwicklung und Umwelt Abt. III — Geoinformation

Berliner Leichtathletik Verband e.V. | alle Medien | Sportograf

The GENERALI BERLIN

HALF MARATHON is one

of the largest half marathon

events in the world.

We introduce some of the

approximately 40,000

people who will be at the

starting line on March 29

on Straße des 17. Juni.

Infectious

Enthusiasm

Evrim and Açelya Bahceci

are the best proof that

joy is contagious and that

euphoria can spread from

one person to another.

Last year, Evrim and her

daughter were hosting visitors.

They were sitting

together on the terrace of

their home in Berlin when

a man walked by. He had a

medal around his neck and,

although clearly exhausted,

he looked euphoric. “We

spoke to him,” Evrim recalls.

And once he started

talking, he couldn’t stop.

Excitedly, he told them

about the BMW BERLIN-

MARATHON he had just

completed and from which

he was on his way home.

“His face was glowing, and

he was still completely

elated from the run,” Evrim

remembers. “He spent

the entire evening walking

around the neighborhood

- 138 -

We introduce some of the more than 40,000 participants

who will be taking part in the GENERALI BERLIN

HALF MARATHON. Seventeen-year-old Açelya Bahceci

from Berlin needed a long time to convince her mother

Evrim to run the half marathon. But now both of them

will be starting together on March 29, 2026.

to come down from the

high. His euphoria infected

us.” And that’s how the

story began.

Caught Up in

Marathon Fever

At that time, Açelya was already

an enthusiastic runner

herself and had been

toying with the idea of running

a marathon. She had

been training regularly for a

year and a half, running up

to 30 kilometers per week.

“I tried to convince Mom

that we had to do this too.”

At first, however, Evrim waved

the idea away. Sport

had always been an integral

part of her life. She played

Thanks to interval and sprint

sessions, Açelya made rapid progress

in training. She now regularly

runs ten kilometers and more.

- 140 -

volleyball, went swimming

and running, and cycled.

For her, though, it had always

been more of a balance

to the long hours spent

sitting at work—a way to

clear her head, rather than

something to compete in.

An 80-Year-Old

Runner as Inspiration

“But then I read about a woman

who was still running

marathons in her eighties

and had only started running

later in life.” Eventually,

she allowed her daughter

to persuade her.

Still, aiming straight for a

marathon felt like a bit too

much for both of them. So

they decided to start with

the GENERALI BERLINER

HALBMARATHON. “We’ll

start easy. You can always

improve from there,” says

17-year-old Açelya with a

smile. At some point, running

a marathon is definitely

a goal for both of them—

maybe even next year.

Once they had made the

decision, they didn’t hesitate.

They bought a fitness

tracker in the fall and drew

With music in her ears and fresh air

on her face, Evrim has learned to

love running while preparing for the

half marathon.

up a training plan. In addition

to the usual routes they

were already running, they

added interval training sessions

and sprint workouts.

They also lace up their running

shoes more often now.

“At the beginning, I managed

five kilometers. But

then things improved pretty

quickly, and now I regularly

run more than ten kilometers

at a time,” Açelya

explains.

Challenges

Make It Fun

Most importantly, they both

enjoy it immensely and feel

great after every run. Not

once have they regretted

their decision. “Challenges

are always fun,” says Evrim.

“With music in your ears

and fresh air on your face

out in nature—it’s just amazing!”

Mother and Daughter,

Each at Their Own Pace

The 53-year-old bank employee,

who works in real

estate financing, and her

daughter train at their own

individual pace during

preparation. And it will be

the same at the half marathon.

“We’ll start together,

and then each of us

will run at our own pace,”

says Açelya, who will soon

be taking her final school

exams.

Their goals for their first

half marathon? To take

part. To finish. To have

fun. That’s exactly how you

should approach your debut.

Friends and family will

be cheering them on from

the sidelines. “Some people

shook their heads and

wondered why we were

putting ourselves through

this,” Evrim says. But many

- 142 -

Dream destination Brandenburg

Gate: Supported by friends and

family, Açelya and Evrim want to

cross the finish line here full of joy.

love the idea and support

the duo. They’ve even managed

to infect some others

with the running bug

and inspire them to start

running as well. It just goes

to show: joy and euphoria

really are contagious.

- 143 -

© Sven Wagner

- 144 -

Ready for

Sub-1:20

When Mariana Becerril

talks about her big

goal, she sounds calm and

determined: at the GENERA-

LI BERLIN HALF MARATHON,

she wants to break the 1:20

barrier for the first time. It

would be a huge step—and

at the same time the logical

consequence of a journey

that began many years ago.

The 31-year-old has been

running for almost a decade.

But she has only been

training with real focus for

the past two years. What

started as a personal path

back to herself has now

become ambitious competitive

sport. “Running was,

at first, about self-confidence,

mental clarity, and

We introduce three of the more than 40,000 participants

taking part in the GENERALI BERLIN HALF MA-

RATHON. Thirty-one-year-old Mexican runner Mariana

Becerril has been running for around ten years and has

improved her half marathon time to 1:21:52. In Berlin,

she aims to break the 1:20 mark.

learning to trust my body,”

she says. Now it’s more:

structure, discipline—and

the courage to dream big.

A Feeling That There’s

More to Achieve

Last December, she ran

1:23:05 in Málaga. A personal

best. A race that meant

a lot to her. “I finished

strong—but with the feeling

that there’s still more

in me.” That feeling drove

her at the start of this

year: she wants to break

1:20. The leap from 1:23 to

under 1:20 is significant.

That’s exactly what makes

it exciting. “It forces you to

take everything to a new

level.”

The half marathon is her

favorite distance. Mariana

has tried many things:

5K road races, marathons,

even ultramarathons in

the mountains. But the

21.0975 kilometers are the

perfect middle ground for

her. Fast, but not reckless.

Tough, but strategic. “You

need speed, strength, patience,

and race strategy.

That balance is exactly

where I feel strongest.”

The Dress Rehearsal

Was a Success

In mid-February this year,

she had her first benchmark

race at the half marathon

in Barcelona. How is

her preparation for the GE-


RATHON going? “The race

went well—better than expected.

And that’s despite

not feeling 100 percent

fit,” the 31-year-old says.

- 146 -

Most of Mariana’s training sessions are done

alone. But there’s, of course, nothing wrong

with occasionally running with friends.

© Sven Wagner

She crossed the finish line

in 1:21:52. The GENERALI


is now meant to be the moment

when everything comes

together. She currently

runs four times a week,

complemented by strength

training, yoga, and road cycling.

“It’s about balance,”

she says. Staying injuryfree,

getting stronger, thinking

long term.

A Team for Support

She logs most of her miles

alone. But for the past two

years, she has worked with

a dedicated coach and

the Momentum Team—“a

game changer” for her. No

generic plan, but individualized

coaching. “They

know me as an athlete and

as a person.” She runs alone

on the road, but there’s

a strong team behind her.

Berlin Holds a

Place in Her Heart

That she wants to chase her

biggest milestone in Berlin

is no coincidence. She has

lived in the city for eight

years, having once moved

there from Querétaro, Mexico,

for her studies. Today,

Berlin is more than just

an adopted home. “This is

where I completed my degree,

built my career, and

found a community that

feels like family.” She lives

near the Tiergarten—ideal

conditions for her runs.

She discovered running

in her hometown in Mexico.

Weekend runs with her

- 148 -

father were the beginning.

“Back then, it was just about

spending time together.” In

retrospect, she sees that

as the origin of her passion.

Movement as a gift.

“Believe That

Anything Is Possible!”

Berlin means a lot to her.

The flat, fast course. The

spectators who celebrate

every runner like a professional.

“Berlin is a city that

makes you believe anything

is possible.” When

she runs through its streets

and the crowd cheers,

when she spots a Mexican

flag on the sidelines or hears

someone call her name,

it’s something very special.

She has already competed

in the GENERALI BERLIN

HALF MARATHON and the

BMW BERLIN-MARATHON,

as well as other races such

as the adidas Runners City

Night and the VITAMIN

WELL Women’s Run Berlin.

Now, running under 1:20 in

the half marathon is more

than just a number for Mariana.

It stands for patience,

resilience, and humility. For

the journey from recreational

runner to intentional

athlete. “Performance

grows slowly—through consistency

and self-belief,”

she says. At the GENERALI

BERLIN HALF MARATHON,

she wants to prove to herself

what’s possible when

belief meets hard, consistent

work. And perhaps,

right there, a goal will turn

into a new personal best.

- 149 -

From Kicking

Goals to

Chasing

Miles

Sandy Adam, Marcus Rädel, and

Robert Sensfuß brought their passion

for football together, which later grew

into a shared love for running. And

because Sandy Adam, as a professor

of sports management, is deeply

committed to sustainability in running,

the three friends from Freiberg,

Saxony, aim to introduce hydration

systems to reduce runners’ reliance

on plastic cups.

- 150 -

Football brought these

three friends from

Saxony together, but now

they love running and want

to celebrate it at the 45th


MARATHON: Sandy Adam,

Robert Sensfuß, and Marcus

Rädel come from Freiberg

and have trained for

the half marathon together,

even though they will

approach the race very

differently, with time goals

ranging from 1:45 hours

(Robert), under two hours

- 151 -

(Marcus), to “somewhere

between two and two and

a quarter hours” (Sandy).

What unites them is the

joy of running together.

“When the three of us—or

just two—are out running,

time flies. We talk the whole

time, and it’s just fun,”

says Marcus Rädel.

A Pro’s Perspective

on the Marathon

However, the runs that the

trio completes together

have become somewhat

less frequent recently.

Since February 2026, Sandy

Adam has been a professor

at the University of

Applied Sciences for Sport

and Management in Potsdam,

after having worked

as a research associate at

the University of Leipzig

since 2013, where he also

earned his doctorate. This

allows him to view running

events from a professional

perspective as well.

Incredible

Atmosphere

When Sandy ran the 50th

BMW BERLIN-MARATHON

together with Robert in

2024, he was deeply impressed

not only as a runner

but also as a sports

scientist. “The atmosphere

was incredible throughout

the entire weekend. The

event got almost 80,000

people moving in total.

And then there was the audience,

cheering everyone

on and showing respect

In September 2024, Robert Sensfuß

and Sandy Adam received the

commemorative medal at the 50th

BMW BERLIN-MARATHON and

raved afterward: “It was amazing

to be right in the middle of it as a

runner.”

- 152 -

- 153 -

Not even cold and snow could stop Robert Sensfuß and Marcus Rädel

from training for the 45th GENERALI BERLIN HALF MARATHON during

the winter.

to each and every participant.

It was amazing to be

right in the middle of it as a

runner.”

Experiencing how the

BMW BERLIN-MARATHON

is organized, how it and

its sponsors are presen-

- 154 -

ted in the media, and how

sustainability is addressed—all

of this impressed

Sandy. “And the sense of

community that running

creates among everyone

involved—there’s probably

no other sport that generates

it in the same way,”

enthuses Sandy, who is

professionally and privately

involved in many sporting

events, from football

to handball to ice hockey.

Two Marathoners

and a Newbie

While Sandy and Robert

have already experienced

all of this at the BMW BER-

LIN-MARATHON, Marcus

Rädel is taking part in a

running event of this scale

for the first time at the GE-


RATHON. “I’ve run 21 kilometers

in training before,

but my biggest event so

far was a 5K corporate run

in Dresden,” he says.

The Greatest Feeling

Before the Finish

His friend Robert confirms

that the half marathon in

Berlin will be a completely

different experience: “It’s

the complete opposite of

running in a small town or

alone in the woods. At the

beginning, you have to be

careful not to get carried

away by the excitement

and the crowd. Starting

too fast and bumping into

other runners must be

avoided,” he says. “And at

the end, the greatest feeling

awaits when you turn

onto the home stretch and

run toward the Brandenburg

Gate.”

- 155 -

The anticipation of that

moment unites the three,

whose running stories

are similar, even though

there is almost a ten-year

age difference between

48-year-old Sandy and

Robert and Marcus, who

are in their thirties. During

the COVID period, playing

football was hardly possible

due to the pandemic and

individual injury issues, so

all three began running regularly.

Captain and Coach

in One Team

Previously, Sandy and Robert

had played football together

at SV Oberschöna,

just outside the 40,000-inhabitant

town of Freiberg

in Saxony, located between

Dresden and Chemnitz.

Almost 20 years ago,

Sandy played in the club’s

men’s Kreisliga team. “At

that time, Robert had just

moved up from the youth

team,” recalls Sandy. “Later,

I took over the team as

coach, and Robert was the

captain. You really get to

know each other well, and

a special bond develops.”

Contagious Love

of Running

By now, Sandy Adam serves

as president of SV

Oberschöna and still occasionally

plays in recreational

teams. Robert had

to give up football in 2020

due to knee problems, but

he discovered a love for

running and has inspired

many people around him

with his passion. “I’m a web

- 156 -

More than running buddies: Marcus Rädel, Robert Sensfuß, and Sandy

Adam enjoy life in Freiberg, as seen here at the Christmas market in the

historic town center of the Silver City on the edge of the Ore Mountains.

and online shop developer.

You sit almost all the time,

so I really value running as

a way to balance that, and

I keep trying to convince

others to run,” he explains

with a smile.

He has succeeded with

Sandy and Marcus. Marcus,

like Sandy and Robert,

used to play football—but

never in league competitions.

“I went to school with

Robert, and sometimes

- 157 -

we’d play together,” says

the head of automation

technology, who started

running during the COVID

period as a counterbalance

to constant video conferences

while working

from home. “When your

mind is drained but your

body still wants to do something,

running is exactly

the right thing. Especially

here in Freiberg, where we

have such a beautiful city

forest.”

With running backpacks for greater

sustainability: Just like Sandy

Adam here, all three from Freiberg

want to take advantage of the

opportunity at the Generali Berlin

Half Marathon to bring their own

hydration containers to reduce cup

usage.

- 158 -

After COVID and his knee

injury, Robert tried to get

back into football. “But

then family planning started.

Now we have two children,

and I need a sport

that’s easy to fit in. Football

always involves fixed

schedules, travel time, and

a lot of preparation and

follow-up. Running is much

simpler: put on your shoes,

head into the forest, maybe

a friend joins, do an hour of

workout, and you feel completely

worked out.”

Making Participation

Sustainable

In the lead-up to the GE-


RATHON, the three of them

gave a lot of thought to how

they could make their participation

as sustainable as

possible. They, of course,

noticed the many disposable

cups used at large

running events, which are

either recycled or thrown

away after a single use.

Starting with Their

Own Water Bottles

“Using our own hydration

systems is the better solution,”

explains Sandy

Adam. “We all have running

vests and want to try

how it feels to carry soft

flasks, silicone cups, or a

hydration bladder that you

refill at the aid stations.”

In this way, the 21.0975

kilometers through Berlin

are likely to be a lot of fun

for the trio from Freiberg,

with added sustainability.

- 159 -

NEXT GENERATION

School Project:

Half Marathon

Carsten Bartel believes that the most

lasting and impressive learning comes

through projects. That’s why the teacher

started a project with his advanced sports

class: in 2027, they plan to run the GENERA-

LI BERLIN HALF MARATHON together. This

year, many of them are already participating

as volunteers.

When Carsten Bartel

talks about running,

his eyes light up. He

knows the feeling of standing

in the start pen of a

marathon, reflecting on

the weeks and months of

preparation—the ups and

downs, the doubts, the

small improvements—and

suddenly realizing what

you’ve already accomplished.

“Just making it that

far is incredibly emotional,”

he says. Then comes the

second high: being able

to run, enjoying the atmosphere,

and crossing the

finish line.

The sports teacher at the

Evangelische Schule Schönefeld

– Gymnasium now

wants to share exactly this

experience with his advanced

sports class. Next

year, the 48-year-old plans

to start at the GENERALI


with 28 students—right in

the middle of one of the

largest half marathons in

Europe, alongside more

than 42,000 runners.

Sharing the Joy

of Sport

Bartel’s school was,

alongside the elite sports

schools, the first regular

school in Brandenburg to

offer an advanced sports

course. Together with the

University of Potsdam, he

developed a dedicated

curriculum for it. What

matters most to him in his

teaching is not just top

performance, but a passion

for movement. “It’s

not just about jumping as

far as possible or running

as fast as possible,” he

says, “but understanding

how training works—and

- 162 -

From volleyball and athletics to gymnastics and dance, and even tennis

and winter sports—the advanced sports class teaches a wide range of

skills.

sharing the joy of sport.”

His students go through

almost the full range

of sporting disciplines:

swimming, athletics, gymnastics,

dance, winter

sports like cross-country

skiing and biathlon, racket

sports such as badminton

and tennis, and

team sports like basketball,

volleyball, and football.

In addition, they receive

intensive sports

theory—training science,

performance diagnostics,

and load management. At

the end, they even earn

the Exercise Instructor

C-License in recreational

sports alongside their Abitur.

- 163 -

Sports only in the school gym? Not at all! A trip to the snow for crosscountry

skiing and biathlon is also part of the program.

Support from the

University of Potsdam

Starting the half marathon

is far more than just

a competition. It is a project—and

a learning process.

The course is supported

by the University of

Potsdam. Students from

the university help the pupils

create individualized

training plans and provide

guidance throughout their

preparation. The pupils

also undergo performance

diagnostics and get to explore

other university facilities.

The goal is not only

to carry out training, but to

understand it—and to be

able to plan it independently.

- 164 -

It’s About Much More

Than Performance

“They learn the most

through projects,” Bartel

is convinced. With one

class, he has already finished

the half marathon

in Tallinn, and with others,

he completed a triathlon.

At these events, it’s not

necessarily about being

as fast as possible. It’s

about achieving something

that you might have

thought was impossible

before. About preparation.

About putting what

you’ve learned into practice.

About emotions. About

teamwork. “These are

experiences that stay with

you for a lifetime.”

Even in Berlin, it’s not primarily

about times. While

it is an advanced sports

class, Bartel intentionally

sets a counterpoint to

the usual grade pressure.

“Finishing is finishing,”

he says. Whether someone

runs fast, runs slowly,

or walks at times doesn’t

matter. What counts is

community, perseverance,

and the courage to leave

your comfort zone.

For many in the current

class, the half marathon

distance is uncharted territory.

Not all of them come

from endurance sports;

some bring very different

athletic backgrounds. Accordingly,

there is a great

deal of respect for the 21.1

kilometers. “They can’t really

imagine yet being able

to do it,” says Bartel. “But

that’s exactly what makes

it exciting.”

- 165 -

Pushing Limits,

Experiencing Emotions

“At first, I was a bit skeptical.

I don’t come from

a running background

and couldn’t immediately

share the excitement for

the upcoming sports event

like others,” Arwen admits.

“By now, my mindset has

changed a bit. With training,

you can achieve a lot.

And this event isn’t about

the time we cross the finish

line. It’s about the shared

moments, the experiences,

and the discipline to

prepare for the half marathon

and push your own

limits. The moment when

we hopefully all cross the

finish line together will be

unforgettable, and I’m really

looking forward to it!”

Theodor, on the other

hand, was immediately

excited by the idea: “I’m

not a big runner, but when

Mr. Bartel told us that we

would all run a half marathon

together as a group, I

was thrilled. Of course, I’m

looking forward to the run

itself. I’m also curious to

learn more about my own

weaknesses and to work

on them. But I’m very happy

that we have a teacher

like Mr. Bartel, who prepares

us perfectly for this

event.”

Seeing the Challenge

as an Opportunity

“At first, I thought, ‘Okay,

this is definitely a challen-

- 166 -

In the advanced sports class, it’s not just about doing sports yourself.

It’s also about training planning and performance diagnostics, such as

lactate testing.

ge,’” Laurens reflects. “I was

concerned about whether I

could run this distance at

a consistently high pace.

At the same time, I’m curious

to see how I can develop

in the time leading up to

the half marathon. Overall, I

no longer see the half marathon

just as a challenge,

but also as a great opportunity

to push myself beyond

my limits and be proud

of my own achievement.”

- 167 -

Training takes place partly

during class and partly individually

according to a plan.

Everything is worked on together

in class. However,

the real preparation also

happens outside of school

hours. Anyone who wants

to master the half marathon

must be willing to train

additionally—and that willingness

is definitely there.

As a Volunteer at the

Half Marathon

Even this year, many students

will take part as volunteers

at the GENERALI


to experience the atmosphere

up close. They will

see the diversity of participants—not

just the elite,

but a cross-section of

society. “Then you realize:

these aren’t just professionals.

Maybe I can do this

too,” says Bartel.

For him personally, running

has been a passion for years.

He has completed five

of the six Abbott World

Marathon Majors, with his

most emotional marathon

in New York—together with

his daughter. Times are

not the focus for him. What

matters is the experience:

the atmosphere, the music

along the course, the people

cheering.

It’s exactly this experience

he wants to pass on.

“In PE class, it’s already

very much about performance,

and that has its

place. With projects like

this, I want to create a

counterbalance. It’s about

all of us reaching the fi-

- 168 -

nish line. It’s about community,

about fun, about

achieving something.”

When his class lines up at

the start in Berlin next year,

shortly before their A-levels,

many thoughts will

run through their minds—

training kilometers, doubts,

progress. And maybe a

little disbelief at how far

they’ve come.

In the end, the clock doesn’t

matter. What counts

is the moment they cross

the finish line—together,

proud, and knowing they

accomplished something

they could hardly have

imagined months earlier.

Carsten Bartel is an avid runner

himself and has completed numerous

marathons—including the one

in Tokyo. He wants to share this joy

of running with his students as well.

Your Berlin weekend doesn’t

end at the finish line.

Discover Tempelhof Airport through

exciting tours and events.

thf-berlin.de/guided-tours

10 % off Guided Tours

Code: BERLINHALF2026

Valid from 21.03.–19.04.2026

The former Tempelhof Airport (THF) is now one of

the most exciting event venues in Berlin. CEO Fabian

Schmitz-Grethlein talks about its program, favorite formats,

and why THF can be rediscovered time and time again.

Tempelhof Airport is a place with rich history. What’s happening here

nowadays?

THF is a vibrant place, always in motion. It tells many exciting stories that can

be experienced at every event – from guided tours and talk formats to large

music and sports events: there is something for everyone. What makes us

unique is the scale: spatially, historically, atmospherically – and our location in

the heart of Berlin.

What can visitors expect at THF in 2026?

Besides major events such as VELOBerlin, SportScheck Run, and Formula E,

there is always something happening here. In March, THF TOWER invites

guests on weekends to enjoy drinks and snacks with a spectacular view. To

mark International Women’s Day, THFx Spezial introduces a Female Edition.

In May, an exhibition on the history of Lufthansa at its former home airport

(1926–1945) launches. During Summer at THF, you can enjoy concerts, yoga

on the roof, and much more. My personal highlight is the Christmas carol

singing during Winter at THF, where more than 1,500 people come together

to sing Christmas songs – a true goosebump moment.

A tip for Berliners and guests around the GENERALI BERLIN HALF

MARATHON: Which events are a must see?

If you’d like discover THF, you should start with a guided tour that provides

fascinating insights into the history of this iconic place. For all GENERALI

BERLIN HALF MARATHON fans, the code BERLINHALF2026 gives you 10%

off our guided tours. You can also stop by the visitor center CHECK-IN to see

the exhibition “A broad Field.” Another highlight is the breathtaking panoramic

view from THF TOWER.

If you’re extending your Berlin weekend, you will certainly find an event here

that matches your own pace.

The GENERALI

BERLIN HALF

MARATHON aims to

be as sustainable as

possible. The goal is

to balance the three

dimensions of sustainability:

“economic

development,”

“social equity,” and

“environmental protection.”

This can

only be achieved together

with the participants.

Here’s how

you can help.

Together for the

Environment

DONATE CLOTHES

AND RUNNING SHOES!

Well-kept and clean running

and training clothes can be

worn as a warming layer on

race day and then dropped off

in the start area. Together with

the Berliner Stadtmission, SCC

EVENTS ensures that your clothing

reaches those who need

it most: their clothing center,

where it is distributed to homeless

people. As always, the rule

is: only donate what you would

also give to friends! The same

applies to your used running

shoes. These can be dropped

off at the Berliner Stadtmission

booth at the HALFMARATHON

- 174 -

EXPO (in the entrance hall).

The collaboration between the

Berliner Stadtmission and SCC

EVENTS has been ongoing for

four years. Our five-part blog

vividly and realistically describes

the first steps of this initiative

and the initial challenges

that had to be overcome.

TO THE BLOG

RUN FOR A

GOOD CAUSE!

Register for the GENERALI BER-

LIN HALF MARATHON through

a charity partner like WWF and

combine your run with a fundraising

campaign!

CHARITY PARTNER

TRAVEL BY TRAIN AND

PUBLIC TRANSPORT!

By choosing your mode of transport

or joining a carpool to the

GENERALI BERLIN HALF MARA-

THON, you can make your personal

contribution to a more sustainable

event. After all, the train

is by far the most environmentally

friendly way to travel.

Average CO2 Emissions per

Person per Kilometer

Train or Bus: 31 g

Private Car: 166 g

Airplane: 238 g

Good to know: SCC EVENTS has

arranged an event ticket with

Deutsche Bahn for your discounted

travel.

TO THE DB TICKET

RACE NUMBER

AS YOUR TICKET

The best way to get to the start is

by using public transport, which

is free with your race number in

zones AB from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00

p.m. on race day.

USE YOUR OWN

HYDRATION SYSTEM

Staying well hydrated is important

during a half marathon—of

course. The best way is to use

your own hydration system to

avoid disposable cups entirely

or at least mostly. Whether it’s

a hand-held bottle, hydration

belt, backpack, or bladder, you

can refill your system at all five

aid stations. Take advantage

of this great option! Otherwise,

please dispose of used cups in

the large, clearly marked bins

provided. This ensures that the

cups can be sorted and returned

to the manufacturer for recycling.

HYDRATION SYSTEM INFO

More information can also be found

on page 208 of this event magazine.

RETURN

WARMING FOILS!

Please use a warming foil only

if you are cold and really need

it. Used foils should always be

returned to one of the many recycling

helpers (identified by a

flag). This is the only way they

can be recycled into new foils.

At the GENERALI BERLIN HALF

MARATHON 2025, 260 kilograms

of compressed warming

foils were returned to the manufacturer

for recycling.

- 178 -

MAKE IT

YOURS.

1 MILE

1.609 METERS

March 28, 2026

Don’t miss the new highlight

of the GENERALI BERLINER

HALFMARATHON.

“No one

should

fight alone”

Promoting social inclusion and unlocking

human potential—these are the goals of The

Human Safety Net, GENERALI’s global foundation.

Praniece Cage from Chicago is raising

funds for the organization through her participation

in the 45th GENERALI BERLIN HALF

MARATHON. In the interview, the 35-yearold

shares what motivates her and how she

wants to inspire others to do good through

running.

Praniece, what motivated

you to run as a charity

runner for The Human

Safety Net in Berlin?

Running is an important

part of my life and my healing.

It challenges me mentally,

physically, and spiritually,

and it has taught

me discipline, trust, and

resilience. When I learned

about The Human Safety

Net and its mission to support

families and children

in need, I was immediately

moved. Community has

always been important to

me, and I firmly believe

that no one should have

to fight alone. My family

had a difficult path, but we

made it because we were

surrounded by a supportive

community. Being able

to run in Berlin while raising

funds and awareness

for a global organization

that advocates for safety,

support, and opportunity

gives me the feeling of

running with a purpose—

not just for a medal, but

for the community.

Is there a personal experience

or story that connects

you to the initiative

and inspired your fundraising?

My family has gone

through some very difficult

times, particularly

with serious health issues.

In those moments, the

love, prayers, and support

of others carried us

through. That showed me

how powerful it is when

people come together to

lift each other up. Not everyone

receives that kind of

- 182 -

support, and it breaks my

heart. The Human Safety

Net represents the support

so many people need,

and participating for this

cause allows me to honor

my own journey while

creating hope and stability

for other families.

What would you like to

share with other runners

who are considering supporting

a charity through

a running event?

Running for a good cause

changes everything. When

your legs get tired and

your mind wants to give

up, you remember that

you’re running for something

bigger than yourself.

You’re running for real

people, real families, and

real lives. That gives every

kilometer meaning and

every finish line a deeper

purpose. I would encourage

every runner to take

that step, because running

with a deeper purpose

changes you.

The Human

Safety Net

The Human Safety Net (THSN), as

the global foundation of the Generali

Group, is active in 27 countries

across Europe, Asia, and Latin

America. THSN has two main focuses:

first, the foundation helps

children from disadvantaged

families get a better start in life;

second, it supports refugees and

migrants in establishing themselves

in the labor market and building

an independent livelihood. To

achieve this, it collaborates with

innovative nonprofit organizations

and social enterprises. At the

same time, GENERALI mobilizes

the Group’s resources and expertise

to support The Human Safety

Net and its partners.

GET THE

OFFICIAL APP

A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE START

AVAILABLE IN ALL APP STORES

→ free of charge

→ for Android from version 10

→ for iOS from version 16

Berlin Half Marathon

- 184 -

For Spectators

→ Save up to 25 favorites

→ Live tracking and leaderboards

Important: If tracking is set to “Private,” participants

will not appear in search, leaderboards, or

results lists.

→ Push notifications

→ New: Live ticker from the start of the EXPO

→ Live display of EXPO visitor flow

→ Map with filters and route navigation,

including cheering points, start/finish area,

medical stations, and refreshment stations

→ App FAQ

For Participants

→ Log in with your Registration ID from the start pass

→ New: Change tracking settings in the app or in your user account

Options: Public | Code | Private

Important: If set to “Private,” participants will not appear in search,

leaderboards, or results lists

→ Start pass QR code in the login area

Can be presented to collect race materials

→ Finisher photo frame

Includes your individual finish time in the design of the GENERALI

BERLIN HALF MARATHON 2026, ready to share via all messaging

apps and social media

Go the

extra mile

MARCH 28

Full experience, shorter distance: At the Garmin

BERLIN MILE, you can feel what it’s like to finish

the GENERALI BERLIN HALF MARATHON—without

running the entire race. Or get a taste of the competitive

atmosphere the day before your half marathon

start. One thing’s guaranteed: lots of fun

and unforgettable memories.

Want to experience

what it feels like to

cross the finish line of the


MARATHON—without

running the full 21.0975

kilometers? Then the Garmin

BERLIN MILE is perfect

for you! On the day

before the half marathon,

you’ll run the last mile—

1.609 kilometers—of the

original course, enjoying

the final, atmospheric

stretch through the Brandenburg

Gate and across

the finish line.

You start at the Lustgarten

by Berlin Cathedral

and the Humboldt Forum,

then run along Unter den

Linden past the State

Opera and Humboldt University—before

heading

toward the finish. Whether

super fast, full of fun, as

a beginner, with your family,

making a comeback,

or running for the first

time—the Garmin BER-

LIN MILE is fun for everyone—and

might even

whet your appetite for the

full half marathon!

More than a race.

More than a mile.

The Garmin BERLIN MILE

is more than a race—it’s

an urban heartbeat that

connects asphalt, history,

and speed. One

mile. 1,609 meters. Short

enough to give it your all.

- 188 -

- 189 -

Start at Berlin Cathedral

and finish at the

Brandenburg Gate—

could it get any more

scenic? On the final

1.609 kilometers of

the original GENERALI

BERLIN HALF MARA-

THON course, you can

soak in the atmosphere

and sights—or go all

out!

MORE

INFORMATION

Long enough to create

unforgettable memories.

Here, it’s not just about

the time on the clock, but

the moment you dare to

run faster than ever before.

Or run for the first

time. Or have fun running

with your friends and family.

However you do it—

an experience is guaranteed!

- 190 -

- 191 -

AUGUST 23

The Best

Test

Are you ready for the BMW BERLIN-MARA-

THON? At “The Dress Rehearsal,” you can

test your fitness for the autumn highlight

with a half marathon five weeks before

the marathon. Or simply enjoy an atmospheric

half marathon in southwest Berlin.

Can’t get enough of

the half marathon?

The GENERALI BERLIN

HALF MARATHON was not

enough for you? Then sign

up now for “The Dress Rehearsal”—a

21.1-kilometer

race on August 23 in Berlin!

The excitement is building:

At the traditional dress rehearsal

five weeks before

the season’s highlight, the

BMW BERLIN-MARATHON,

the endurance of thousands

of running enthusiasts

is put to the test.

Under race conditions, you

can see if your training is

paying off and whether

you’re in top shape for

your autumn marathon (or

half marathon).

Preparing for a marathon

can be a long journey. Often,

you don’t know where you

stand. A small success along

the way brings fresh motivation

to your training and

builds excitement for the

marathon.

Through three

Berlin districts

Since the mid-1980s, the

Berlin road race—now

known as “The Dress Rehearsal”—has

been taking

place. For many runners,

it holds a permanent spot

on their race calendar—

and with good reason!

On August 23, five weeks

before the BMW BERLIN-

MARATHON on September

27, The Dress Rehearsal

offers the perfect

opportunity to test your

fitness.

Whether you use it to prepare

for your autumn marathon

or simply want to

- 195 -

REGISTER

NOW

enjoy a half marathon or

quarter marathon, you

can give it your all on the

streets of Berlin! The race

takes place on a 10.5-kilometer

course, which can

be completed once or twice.

You can also have your

time recorded over exactly

ten kilometers. The route

takes you through the

Berlin districts of Steglitz,

Zehlendorf, and Wilmersdorf,

giving you a first

taste of what it feels like

to run through the wide

streets of the capital during

the BMW BERLIN-MA-

RATHON.

After the summer holidays,

“The Dress Rehearsal”

offers sporting fun for

the whole family. Not only

adults get their share of

excitement: at the Bambini

runs, young runners can

take part too.

- 196 -

10 Jahre TITANIC Chaussee Berlin – Ankommen. Begegnen. Entspannen.

Seit 10 Jahren steht das TITANIC Chaussee Berlin für stilvolles Design, erstklassigen

Service und Wohlfühlatmosphäre. Ob Kurzurlaub, Business-Event oder entspannte Auszeit –

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Jetzt reservieren und exzellenten Service erleben.

10 Years of TITANIC Chaussee Berlin – Arrive. Connect. Relax.

For 10 years, TITANIC Chaussee Berlin has stood for stylish design, excellent

service and a welcoming atmosphere. Whether a short getaway, a business event

or a relaxing break, enjoy refined cuisine, spacious rooms and warm hospitality.

Book now and experience excellent service.

titanic-hotels.de

Must

Runs

by

The SwimRun at Schloss

Rheinsberg takes runners

for a swim in a beautiful

landscape as well. In 2026,

it will take place on July 5.

Berlin

& Brandenburg

- 198 -

Move for change

At Germany’s largest

women’s run, charity

takes center stage. Doing

good while running

and raising donations

for women with cancer

in need is the motto. At

the same time, 14,000

participants celebrate

their party of the year

in the heart of Berlin.

Course distances

5 km, 10 km

Running, walking and

Nordic walking

400 m | 800 m

Bambini Run

At the largest

women’s run!

- 199 -

MAY 16, 2026

As a Team.

MAY 21, 2026

To the finish!

As a relay quartet on a

beautiful course through

historic Brandenburg an

der Havel. The atmospheric

TEAM event in early summer.

Course distances

4x5 km

Relay race

approx. 400 m | 800 m

Bambini Run

“The team is everything!”

is the motto on

the three hottest relay

days of the year, when

laps are run again and

again in central Berlin

between the Victory

Column and Schloss

Bellevue.

Course distances

5x5 km

Relay race

approx. 400 m | 800 m

Bambini Run

One for all.

JUNE 2-4, 2026

All for one!

Swim.

JULY 5, 2026

Run.

Repeat.

Run through the forest or past

Schloss Rheinsberg and swim

in the crystal-clear lakes of the

area – this is the ultimate nature

experience!

Course distances

approx. 21.4 km

Half SwimRun

approx. 11.3 km

Sprint SwimRun

approx. 4.4 km

SuperSprint SwimRun

Introductory distance for newbies

approx. 0.9 km | 1.8 km | 2.7 km

Youth SwimRun/

Family Fun SwimRun

approx. 500 m | 1,000 m

Bambini SwimRun

The fastest night

AUGUST 1, 2026

Berlin’s fastest night is the top

event in the middle of summer.

Samba bands, cheering zones,

and enthusiastic fans turn the

Ku‘Damm in City West into a

vibrant party zone. The highlight

is running through the glowing

finish gate at the Kaiser Wilhelm

Memorial Church.

Course distances

5 km

Running

10 km

Running and Inline skating

From all

over Berlin!

The Test.

AUGUST 23, 2026

For

autumn!

Four weeks before the spectacular

season highlight, the BMW

BERLIN-MARATHON you can test

your skills for the ultimate event

at the “dress rehearsal.” The half

marathon through Berlin’s neighborhoods

will be the ultimate

check of your preparation.

Course distances

21 km

Running (two laps)

10.5 km

Running (one lap)

ca. 400 m | 800 m

Bambini Run

Taste the

The day before the legendary

BMW Berlin-Marathon, you

have the chance to run the last

five kilometers of the original

course. Experience the unforgettable

finish through the

Brandenburg Gate and be

celebrated like a marathon hero.

Course distances

5 km

Running

SEPTEMBER 26, 2026

Marathon-

Spirit

SCC EVENTS

AT A GLANCE

May 16, 2026

VITAMIN WELL WOMEN‘S RUN BERLIN

May 21, 2026

STWB TEAM RELAY BRANDENBURG

June 2–4, 2026

BERLINER WASSERBETRIEBE

5X5 KM TEAM RELAY

June 20, 2026

HIKING HERO

July 5, 2026

SWIMRUN RHEINSBERG

August 1, 2026

ADIDAS RUNNERS CITY NIGHT

August 23, 2026

DIE GENERALPROBE

September 26, 2026

GENERALI 5K

BMW BERLIN-MARATHON INLINESKATING

September 27, 2026

BMW BERLIN-MARATHON

December 31, 2026

BERLIN NEW YEAR’S EVE RUN

January 1, 2027

BERLIN NEW YEAR’S RUN

April 3, 2027

GARMIN BERLIN MILE

April 4, 2027


- 206 -

WATER

WITHOUT

WASTE

By using your own hydration

system at a running event

like the GENERALI BERLIN

HALF MARATHON, you help

reduce the use of disposable

cups. Everything you need to

know about water supply via

hydration backpacks, flasks,

bladders, or your own cups

can be found on the following

pages.

HYDRATION SYSTEMS

HYDRATION SYSTEMS

Anyone running a half

marathon knows how

important proper hydration

is. Over 21 kilometres,

the body loses water and

essential minerals that are

crucial for performance and

well-being. For this reason,

many runners use their own

hydration systems in addition

to the aid stations,

allowing them to drink anytime,

flexibly, and without

losing time.

Practical and

Waste-Reducing

In addition to using your

own hydration system, the

organizers of SCC EVENTS

also ensure reliable water

supply along the course

at the GENERALI BERLIN

HALF MARATHON. At the

aid stations, cups made

from recycled PET material

are provided. These cups

are sturdy, easily recyclable,

and are collected after

the race for proper recycling.

A Contribution to

Greater Sustainability

You can still take it a step

further. Using your own hydration

system is not only

practical but also reduces

the use of disposable cups,

helping to minimize waste

even more. Those who rely

on such systems make a

particularly valuable contribution

to the sustainability

of the GENERALI BERLIN

HALF MARATHON while

also managing their hydration

more efficiently and individually.

With the right hydration system,

you run not only more

safely, comfortably, and ef-

- 210 -

Hip and Belt Systems

For marathon runners, hydration

belts and hip belts are a very popular

way to take in fluids. They

consist of a comfortable, wide

belt that sits snugly on the hips

and securely holds small bottles

or compact containers. This setup

combines efficient hydration

with a high degree of freedom

of movement and a very natural

running feel.

Advantages

→ Natural Running Style

Since your hands are free, running

feels completely unencumbered and

fluid.

→ Flexible Adjustment

Depending on your needs, the system

can be equipped with one or more

bottles.

→ Practical Storage

In addition to bottles, the belts offer a

small storage space for valuables or

energy bars—everything is securely

stored yet easily accessible.

→ Ideal for Long Distances

The benefits of the system become

especially clear over long distances, as

it remains comfortable for many hours.

→ Minimal Upper Body Strain

The neck, shoulders, and back are

completely relieved—perfect for runners

who are sensitive to pressure or

friction in the upper body.

Handheld

Bottles

Handheld bottles are small

drinking bottles with a hand

strap for carrying directly in

your hand. They offer a very

simple way to stay hydrated

and are lightweight, compact

in design, and ergonomically

shaped to fit naturally in your

hand.

Advantages

→ Immediate Access

No effort is needed to drink—simply lift

the bottle, and your thirst is quenched.

→ Ultra-Light Feel

Thanks to innovative materials and a

practical hand strap, the bottle is barely

noticeable and does not interfere

with your running experience.

→ Quick Refills

At aid stations, the bottle can be refilled

within seconds, so nothing stands

in the way of your personal best.

→ Perfect for Minimalists

For those who don’t want to carry extra

equipment, this is a simple solution

that still delivers high effectiveness.

ficiently, but you also make

an active contribution to

greater sustainability along

the course.

The Right Solution

for Every Need

Whether it’s hip and belt

systems, hydration backpacks,

or soft flasks, there

is a suitable solution for

every running style to allow

flexible, individualized hydration.

If needed, these

hydration systems can

also be perfectly combined

with the still-available cups

made from easily recyclable

PET, provided at the

aid stations. This way, your


MARATHON becomes not

only a sporting experience

but also a race you can run

more responsibly.

Whether it’s a soft flask, bottle, hydration bladder, or your own

cup: at the GENERALI BERLIN HALF MARATHON, brought-along

hydration systems can be filled with water at the aid stations.

- 213 -

HYDRATION SYSTEMS

Soft flasks

Advantages

→ Compact System

As you drink, the flask shrinks, becoming

lighter and more compact. This

contributes to a smooth running experience—you

carry only what you need.

→ Extremely Lightweight

Soft flasks weigh practically nothing,

making them ideal for runners who are

mindful of every gram.

→ No “Sloshing” Noise

The flexible material prevents annoying

sloshing sounds. The flask remains

silent, which is especially mentally

pleasant during long races.

→ Space-Saving Storage

Soft flasks can be easily stored in the

pockets or compartments mentioned

above and fit perfectly to their surroundings.

→ Long-Lasting Durability

Modern soft flasks are made from robust,

resilient materials that can withstand

many runs without problems.

Soft flasks are soft drinking

containers made from flexible

material that automatically collapse

as you drink. This makes

them increasingly compact and

allows them to fit perfectly to

the shape of your body. They can

be carried in any body, chest, or

backpack pocket. Soft flasks are

among the most popular options

for runners who value light

weight, comfort, and freedom of

movement.

Advantages

→ Steady Hydration

Small sips can be taken anytime without

interrupting your running flow—

perfect for consistent hydration.

→ Large Capacity

The hydration bladder can hold significantly

more fluid than regular bottles,

allowing independence from aid stations

and saving time.

Hydration backpacks, also known

as hydration packs, are a convenient

solution for longer runs or

races in high summer temperatures.

Inside the backpack is a

flexible hydration bladder, usually

holding 1–3 litres. A tube is attached

to the bladder, leading to

a bite- or click-valve mouthpiece

on the outside. This allows you to

drink anytime without having to

take off the backpack or disrupt

your running flow.

→ Additional Storage

Like hip and belt systems, hydration

backpacks offer plenty of practical

storage space for energy bars, gels, or

valuables without interfering with your

run.

→ High Wearing Comfort

Modern backpacks are very lightweight

and breathable. Their ergonomic

design ensures they fit snugly to

the body, causing minimal movement.

→ Durability

The materials are robust, tear-resistant,

and designed for many kilometres.

A high-quality hydration backpack

can last for many years.

Hydration Backpacks with Bla

Before the first running steps echo across the

asphalt on Sunday morning, the hum of wheels

takes over the city. The inline skating race at

the GENERALI BERLIN HALF MARATHON is the

fastest start to the day – a race full of dynamics,

strategy, and precision – for both professional

and fitness skaters alike.

- 218 -

Rollin‘

Berlin

When the pack sets off,

a carpet of sound rises

from wheels on asphalt

– and speed turns into adrenaline.

Elite skaters reach

top speeds of more than 50

kilometers per hour. Their

racing skates, with carbon

boots, ultra-light frames,

and three 125-millimeter

wheels, ensure maximum

power transfer. But even

those on four- or five-wheel

fitness skates experience

the pace and the city up

close.

AT MORE THAN 50 KM/H

The race also serves as the

first scoring round of the

German Inline Cup, Germany’s

premier racing series.

National and international

pros, along with ambitious

hobby skaters, start together,

compete for points,

and experience a field full

of speed, teamwork, and

spectacular duels.

Kickoff for the

German Inline Cup

Berlin is not just the backdrop

but the official stage

for the best skaters – a

kickoff that launches the

half-marathon weekend at

full speed.

But success isn’t determined

by equipment alone:

professionals skate strategically,

drafting like cyclists,

forming trains in the

pack, and controlling their

pace tactically. Those who

choose the right moment

to accelerate can gain

precious seconds – often,

small details decide victory

or placement.

Teamwork for Pros

and Fitness Skaters

Fitness skaters also benefit

from drafting: smart positioning

behind another skater

saves energy and keeps

the glide smooth – teamwork

on wheels works at

both professional and recreational

levels.

The course demands endurance,

coordination, and

focus. Corners must be

taken cleanly, and gaps in

the pack are often only a

few centimeters. For pros,

it’s about fractions of a second;

for fitness skaters,

it’s about pace, flow, and

the unique feeling of gliding

through Berlin.

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With the starting gun of the GENERALI BERLIN HALF MARATHON, the

2026 inline season also kicks off.

Priority for the

Next Generation

On Saturday afternoon,

March 28, Kids Skating offers

race opportunities for

children and teens up to

13 years old, with age-specific

competitions ranging

from 500 to 2000 meters.

This year, it returns to the

former Tempelhof Airport.

Everyone is welcome, including

beginners – the most

important thing is fun on

skates! Those who want to

experience a bit of competitive

spirit without pressure

can participate in the “Beginner”

category without

timing. So: Let’s roll, Berlin!

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MORE HIGHLIGHTS ON WHEELS

REGISTER

NOW

BMW BERLIN-

MARATHON

On September 26, the inline

marathon finale kicks

off at the BMW BERLIN-

MARATHON. Set within an

exciting marathon weekend,

the race takes skaters

through the heart of the

capital. And the best part:

starting spots are still available.

adidas Runners

City Night

On August 1, the Ku’damm

transforms into a highspeed

track: the adidas

Runners City Night Inlineskating

draws hobby

and fitness skaters to the

city over 10 kilometers.

Speed, atmosphere, fun

– and the unique feeling

of experiencing Berlin on

wheels.

REGISTER

NOW

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SHOE TIP

Lightweight

for High Speed

The EVO SL from adidas combines technology with

the Adizero aesthetic. Inspired by the legendary

EVO 1, it forgoes carbon but still offers plenty of

cushioning despite its lightweight design. This

makes it the perfect companion in the hunt for

your half marathon personal best.

Speed has a new look!

The Adizero Evo SL from

adidas is inspired by

the legendary adidas carbon

shoe EVO, which caused

a huge sensation when

it launched in 2023 at

€500. On its very first race

outing, Amanal Petros set

the German marathon record

at the BMW BERLIN

MARATHON with a time of

2:04:58, while Tigst Assefa

from Ethiopia improved the

women’s world record to an

The Adizero EVO SL

by adidas in detail:

Weight (Men’s version): 224 g

Weight (Women’s version): 188 g

Drop: 6 mm

MSRP: €150

astonishing 2:11:53. Both

records have since been

surpassed, but the EVO remains

a legend.

The Adizero EVO SL looks

similar to the EVO, but

technically it’s a completely

different shoe. With

it, you can experience the

feeling of speed even in

everyday life. It combines

Adizero technology with

a striking, unique racing

aesthetic, bringing speed

vibes to all areas of life.

Without a carbon plate, it

features a full-length midsole

of Lightstrike Pro cushioning

material, which gives

all fast adidas shoes

in the Adizero family their

outstanding cushioning

properties. The foam efficiently

absorbs impact

energy with every step

and converts it back into

forward propulsion during

toe-off. The result is

a springy running feel with

a smooth transition from

landing to push-off. The

outsole has a high-profile

design and requires no

reinforcing elements.

With a sample weight of

188 grams for women and

224 grams for men, the

adidas EVO SL is the lightest

training shoe in adidas’

entire running collection.

Inspired by the iconic

silhouette, the design

features clean lines and a

minimalist white look, accented

by three bold black

stripes.

Testers particularly liked

the specially designed

- 227 -

WHO IS THE EVO SL SUITABLE FOR?

With its combination of top-level

cushioning, responsiveness,

and ultra-lightweight design,

the adidas EVO SL is the ideal

shoe for anyone looking to add

fast runs to their training—

whether intervals on the track

or tempo runs on the road. It’s

also very well suited for shorter

race distances up to the half

marathon. Runners who want a

fast shoe without the stiffness

of a carbon midsole have loved

it since its release in spring

2025. However, for distances

beyond the half marathon where

more stability or guidance is

needed, another model is recommended.

mesh upper: it’s ultralightweight

and offers improved

breathability even

on warm days. It also provides

good support in fast

curves and at high speeds,

despite being so light,

when running with a neutral

foot strike. The Continental

rubber compound

on the forefoot and heel

prevents slipping even on

wet roads. In tests, the

outsole proved durable:

after several runs, no

signs of wear were visible.

Conclusion: A top shoe for

anyone who wants to run

fast in training or competition

without carbon—or

simply loves the whiteblack

or black-white look.

THE COLLECTION FOR THE HALF MARATHON

With the adidas collection for the 45th

GENERALI BERLIN HALF MARATHON,

fans can express their passion for this

legendary event. The line includes four

performance products along with a

matching cap, designed for both women

and men. The collection will be available

at the HALF MARATHON EXPO at

the former Tempelhof Airport and at the

adidas Flagship Store at Tauentzienstraße

15 (Berlin City West).

ORGANISATION

Organisational team


Promoter

Sport-Club Charlottenburg e.V.

Organiser

SCC EVENTS GmbH

Olympiapark Berlin

Hanns-Braun-Straße/Adlerplatz

14053 Berlin

Tel. 030 – 301 288 10

Fax 030 – 301 288 20

www.scc-events.com

Management & Team Leading

Managing Directors

Christian Jost, Jürgen Lock

Director Event Management

Mark Milde

Director Operations

Carsten Humrich

Director Participant Management,

Process Management, Marketing | Digital

Antje Jüntgen

Director Sponsoring

Jennifer Barthel

Team Leading Media Relations & Editorial

Robert Fekl, Jochen Schmitz

Team Leading Operations

Michael Gerlach

Team Leading Participant Management

Judy Kumutat

Team Leading Marketing | Digital

Nadia Dagher

Team Leading Finance

Aike Fokkena

Team Leading Event Management

Achim Rau

Team Leading Sponsoring

Timo Göhler

Public Affairs

Yvonne Meißner

Human Relationships

Philip Lehmann

Operations

Oliver Bach, Ümüt Cakmak, Christian Fahr,

Michael Gerlach, Daniel Hoppe, Carsten

Humrich, Lars Nitz, Victor Perez, Janin

Reinhardt, Paul Bär, Stefanie Münzberg

Process Management

Linda Baumgart, Johannes Dinter,

Anika Günther, Stephanie Kamen,

Grischa Lewandowski Markus März

Participant Management

Sylvia Ackermann, Georgia Andrews,

Lara Bär, Anika Gerlach, Marc Goldmann,

Fynn Hänsel, Monique Hoppe, Sybille Hoppe,

Antje Jüntgen, Philipp Kadow, Ines Kuke,

Judy Kumutat, Anja Lüthke, Britt Munzlinger,

Stella Strohbach, Laura Tapia

Elite Athletes Hospitality

Philipp Kadow, Nadine Mietke,

Carsten Helterhof

EXPO

Katharina Holle, Sophie Richter,

Dominik Scholten, Oliver Simon

Broom Wagon

Christian Löw

Results Services

mika:timing

Event Management

Ellen Lotz, Nadine Mietke, Mark Milde,

Robert Müller, Achim Rau, Maren Riedel

Gathering Point

Bastian Klemke

Shuttle Service

Gabi Mahn, Mario Mahn

Green Line

Gunnar Hamel, Gregor Pfennig

Wheelchair drivers/Handcyclists

Ines Kuke, Chantal Mahn, Nadine Mietke

Volunteer Management

Ralf Burzlaff, Noah Löffler, Vivian Schneider

Inline skating

Gerte Buchheit, Ingo Monse

Clothing Drop-Off

Peter Fielhauer, Yves Imbert, Christina Imbert,

Alexander Schröter, Joachim Zschaler

Poncho hand-out

Alexander Horn

Marketing | Digital

Max Bodenstab, Nadia Dagher, Mareike

Dehmel, Anna Engel, Janis vom Hoff,

Celia Jentzsch, Antje Jüntgen,

Sabrina Krause, Pauline Lischke,

Kirsti Maiwald, Jonas Martin, Melanie Moll,

Sarah Panski, Anna Schiffels

Media Relations & Editorial/Media Center

Max Bodenstab, Gerte Buchheit,

Frauke Constantin, Vincent Dornbusch,

Robert Fekl, Elisabeth Hanke, Tom Kettelhut,

Jochen Schmitz, Thomas Steffens,

Jakob Wartchow, Jörg Wenig,

Mariella Wollenick

Sponsoring

Nicole Altenhof, Philipp Altmeppen,

Jennifer Barthel, Marit van Eijk, Timo Göhler,

Mirella Jaaks, Linda Kollmann,

Max Lichtenberg, Ines Rentsch, Dominik

Rosenau, Lara Vogel

Massage Services

Matthias Vogel

Finance

Aike Fokkena, Antonella Giglio, Heike Krone,

Marcel Reppien, Simone Schmidt

Public Affairs & Human Relationships

Marcus Mahlo, Yvonne Meißner, Michael

Fuchs, Marion Strolz, Philip Lehmann

Medical Board SCC Events

Priv. Doz. Dr. med. Matthias Krüll,

Dr. med. Margrit Lock, Veranstaltungs- und

Notärztin Sandra Pfaffenbach,

Angela Hänsel, Julia Seifert

Medical Team von SCC Events

Music/Course

Björn Kasan

Police Head of Operations

Polizeidirektor Oliver Hartwich

Protocol/VIP

Marion Strolz, Rotraud Zylka

Announcer

Jonas Frank, Dr. Karsten Holland

Start

Janine Heß, Marcel Heß, Sonja Glauert,

Steffen Kirner

Course

Gunnar Hamel, Gregor Pfennig

Race Display Service

Helmut Winter

Course Measuring

Gunnar Hamel, John Kunkeler, Gregor Pfennig

Aid Stations

Jette Kasper, Max Roy

Backbone

Christian Fahr, Carsten Humrich, Dani Jenke

Mascot Fridolin Flink

Britt Munzlinger, Tim Herrmann

Medical Service

Johanniter Unfallhilfe e.V.

Aid Stations

5 km: Nordberliner Lauffreunde

Leading: Jörg Busche, Christian Meier

10 km: SCC-Langstreckler

Leading: Klaus Boesang

14 km: Betriebssportverband Berlin e.V.

Leading: Stefanie Wolz

17,5 km: FV Freizeitsport e.V.

Leading: Birgit Berthold, Lutz Berthold

19,5 km

Leading: Tobias Lohr, Philipp Loth

Ziel: ABC Zentrum Berlin

Leading: Kai-Thomas Arndt

Medal hand-out: Dirk Richter

IMPRINT

Event Magazine


Publisher SCC EVENTS GmbH

Responsible for Content

Christian Jost, Jürgen Lock

Production DLM RunMedia GmbH, Köln

Editorial Team

Gerte Buchheit, Vincent Dornbusch,

Christian Ermert, Anja Herrlitz,

Jörg Wenig, Mariella Wollenick

Photos

SCC EVENTS, SCC Skating, Greta B,

Petko Beier, Marvin Güngör, Steffen Hartz,

Dirk Mathesius, sportografen,

Sebastian Wells, Tilo Wiedensohler,

Jean-Marc Wiesner, Norbert Wilhelmi,

Adobe Stock

imago images:

Beautiful Sports (4), Andreas Gora,

Gianluca Vannicelli/IPA, Hansjürgen Britsch,

Goal Sports, Ritzau Scanpix

GOOD LUCK!

We wish you lots

of fun and

success at the

- 258 -

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