Elite Field Grows for Thrilling BMW BERLIN-MARATHON
Berlin, August 17, 2026 – The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, set to take place on September 27, 2026, continues to build an impressive roster of elite athletes, promising a highly competitive race. SCC EVENTS, the organizer, has confirmed additional top international and German runners, further solidifying the event’s reputation as a premier marathon.
International Top Stars Bolster Men’s Field
Among the latest additions to the men’s field is Gabriel Geay, Tanzania’s marathon record holder. The 29-year-old achieved a personal best of 2:03:00 at the Valencia Marathon in 2022, placing him among the 20 fastest marathon runners in history. Geay also secured a runner-up finish at the Boston Marathon in 2023, demonstrating his consistent high performance.
Also joining is Guye Adola, an athlete who previously set his personal best in Berlin. In 2017, he made a remarkable debut, finishing second to Eliud Kipchoge with a time of 2:03:46. After battling injuries, the 35-year-old made a strong comeback this spring, winning the Rotterdam Marathon with 2:03:54, narrowly missing his Berlin personal best. Adola previously won the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON in 2021.
Marathon Team Berlin Sets Sights on German Personal Bests
German hopes are high with several athletes from Marathon Team Berlin aiming for significant achievements. Johannes Motschmann will make another attempt to break the 2:10:00 barrier, with his current personal best standing at 2:10:39. Despite recent setbacks, including an injury forcing his withdrawal from the Hanover Marathon, his strong performance at the GENERALI BERLIN HALF MARATHON (61:47 minutes) indicates his potential.
Sebastian Hendel, also from Marathon Team Berlin, seeks a successful comeback. Two years prior, he surprised many at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON with a personal best of 2:07:33, but subsequent health issues and injuries hindered his progress.
Aaron Bienenfeld (Düsseldorf Athletics) made an impactful marathon debut in Hamburg in late April, recording a swift 2:08:47, marking the fastest ever German marathon debut. This performance, building on his success in shorter distances, suggests he could achieve further progression in Berlin.
Haftom Welday (TB Hamburg Eilbeck) improved his personal best to 2:08:13 at the Barcelona Marathon this spring. The 36-year-old, who finished 14th at the 2023 World Championships, is currently training in Ethiopia with the goal of further lowering his personal best on September 27.
World-Class Women’s Field Reinforced
The top-tier women’s field has been further strengthened with the addition of Bedatu Hirpa. The 27-year-old Ethiopian won the Dubai Marathon last year with a personal best of 2:18:27, followed by a victory at the Paris Marathon. Earlier this year, she secured second place at the Osaka Marathon with a time of 2:19:54.
German Women on the Rise
On the German front, Kristina Hendel (Marathon Team Berlin) is looking to regain her top form. Her personal best of 2:27:29 was set four years ago in Hamburg, with her progress since then being hampered by injuries.
Anna Langerwisch (Marathon Team Berlin) achieved a significant breakthrough at the Prague Marathon this year, clocking 2:32:13 in only her second marathon. The 24-year-old previously won the Hanover Half Marathon in 70:53 minutes and demonstrated continued strength with a 32:17 minute performance over ten kilometers at the adidas Runners City Night in early August.
SCC EVENTS Publishes Inaugural Sustainability Report
Beyond the elite athlete announcements, SCC EVENTS has released its first comprehensive Sustainability Report for 2025 (PDF). This report provides detailed insights into the organization’s ongoing activities and progress in sustainability, covering all aspects of the company, including its office and warehouse locations, and all sporting events.
The report highlights initiatives across key areas such as environmental protection, social responsibility, economic viability, and corporate governance. Notably, the report reveals that events organized by SCC EVENTS generated a total of €10.24 million in donations for charitable projects in 2025, underscoring their commitment to social engagement.
This commitment to sustainability is further evidenced by the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON achieving Gold Level under the international sustainability standard “Athletics for a Better World” set by World Athletics, an improvement from last year’s Silver status. This signifies SCC EVENTS’ dedication to sustainable practices extending beyond the race itself.
The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, expecting around 60,000 athletes from approximately 160 countries, including runners, wheelchair competitors, handbikers, and inline skaters, continues to be a highlight in the international running calendar, combining elite competition with a growing focus on environmental and social responsibility.
