When does the Berlin Half Marathon 2025 take place?
The main races are on Sunday, April 6th, 2025. Setup and related closures begin on Friday, April 4th.
Sport / Running
Berlin braces for its first major running event of the year, the Half Marathon, scheduled for Sunday, April 6th, 2025. Approximately 42,000 participants from 135 nations, including inline skaters, wheelchair users, handbikers, and runners,...
## Route Details and Changes
The 21.0975 km race starts near the Siegessäule (Victory Column) and initially heads towards Charlottenburg Palace. Unlike recent years, the route now proceeds more directly to Kurfürstendamm via Schloßstraße, Windscheidstraße, Droysenstraße, and Nestorstraße, bypassing the Lietzensee loop. After passing the Gedächtniskirche (Memorial Church) and Potsdamer Platz, the course enters the eastern part of the city. To compensate for the omitted Lietzensee section, the route now includes a segment through Strausberger Platz. The final stretch takes runners along Unter den Linden to the finish line at the Brandenburg Gate. The time limit for participants is 3 hours and 15 minutes after crossing the start line.
## Road Closures and Timings
Significant traffic disruptions are expected. Key closures include: * **Straße des 17. Juni (Yitzhak-Rabin-Str. to Brandenburg Gate):** Closed Friday, April 4th, 6:00 AM to Monday, April 7th, 6:00 PM. * **Straße des 17. Juni (Großer Stern excl. to Brandenburg Gate), Ebertstraße (Behrenstr. excl. to Scheidemannstr. incl.), Scheidemannstraße, John-Foster-Dulles-Allee, Yitzhak-Rabin-Straße, etc.:** Closed Friday, April 4th, 6:00 PM to Monday, April 7th, 12:00 PM. * **Unter den Linden (Brandenburg Gate to Spandauer Straße):** Closed Sunday, April 6th, 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. * **Entire Race Route:** Full closure begins Sunday, April 6th, around 7:45 AM. Streets will reopen progressively until about 3:00 PM. Vehicle crossings will be restricted, and pedestrians/cyclists will also face limitations. Check the Verkehrsinformationszentrale (VIZ) for detailed updates.
## Elite Competitors
The women's race features Ethiopia's Fotyen Tesfay, aiming to break the course record (65:02), challenged by compatriot Ftaw Zeray. Germany's prominent runner Gesa Krause competes alongside the fastest German woman, Esther Pfeiffer. In the men's field, Ethiopia's Gemechu Dida is the favourite, pursued by a strong Kenyan trio including Gideon Kiprotich. German marathon champion Richard Ringer and Berlin local Johannes Motschmann will aim for personal bests.
## Sustainability Initiatives: "Follow the Green Line"
Organizers SCC Events continue their commitment to sustainability: * **Clothing Donations:** In partnership with Berliner Stadtmission, volunteers collect discarded clothing at the start for distribution to those in need. * **Thermal Foil Recycling:** Participants are urged to take foils only if needed and return them to designated recycling stations for reuse. * **Hydration:** Runners are encouraged to use personal hydration systems (like Trinkrucksäcke) to minimize cup waste. Refill stations are available at five points along the course. Used cups should be discarded in designated bins for sorting and recycling. * **Charity Partner:** The WWF offers a donation run option, allowing participants to support environmental protection during the event.
## Weather Forecast
Sunday's weather is expected to be decent for running: cool temperatures between 5-7°C, but importantly, dry and sunny conditions are forecast.
The main races are on Sunday, April 6th, 2025. Setup and related closures begin on Friday, April 4th.
Inline skaters start at 9:15 AM, wheelchair users and handbikers at 9:55 AM, and runners from 10:05 AM.
Major closures around the start/finish area begin Friday. The entire race route will be closed from approximately 7:45 AM on Sunday, April 6th, reopening gradually until about 3:00 PM.
The route starts at Siegessäule, goes towards Charlottenburg, directly to Kurfürstendamm, past Potsdamer Platz, includes Strausberger Platz, and finishes at Brandenburg Gate via Unter den Linden.
Using public transport (U-Bahn, S-Bahn) is highly recommended as car travel in affected areas will be severely restricted. Check BVG and VIZ for specific service information and disruption updates.
Are you running or spectating this year? How do major events like this impact your weekend in Berlin? Let us know!
Share this article with others who need to stay ahead of this event!
This article was compiled by Yanuki using publicly available data and trending information. The content may summarize or reference third-party sources that have not been independently verified. While we aim to provide timely and accurate insights, the information presented may be incomplete or outdated.
All content is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or professional advice. Yanuki makes no representations or warranties regarding the reliability or completeness of the information.
This article may include links to external sources for further context. These links are provided for convenience only and do not imply endorsement.
Always do your own research (DYOR) before making any decisions based on the information presented.