Nearly a year after marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge shattered the men’s world record on this very course, the Kenyan maestro is back on the streets of Germany’s capital for another attempt to set a new fastest time on Sunday, September 24.
The 2023 Berlin Marathon, a time-honored tradition now in its 49th annual edition, expects an impressive turnout, with over 45,000 runners preparing for the event. As the starting signal resounds, runners will embark on a 38.5 km journey, underscoring the importance of effective pace management, given the strict time limit of 4 hours and 40 minutes. Here is everything you need to know to watch Berlin Marathon in Sweden.
Stream Berlin Marathon Live in Sweden – [3 Easy Steps]
- Get ExpressVPN or PIAVPN [Best For Streaming]
- Download the app & connect to a server in Spain.
- Visit RTVE and enjoy streaming!
2023 BMW Berlin Marathon
Everything you need to know:
- Date: Sunday 24th September 2023
- Start Time: 9:15 am (CEST)
- Broadcaster: RTVE, ORF
Where to Live Stream 2023 Berlin Marathon in Sweden
You can watch the Berlin Marathon live stream in the Netherlands on several platforms, including RTVE , RBB, Eurosport, and FloTrack.
RTVE
RTVE is set to broadcast the 2023 Berlin Marathon live on 24 September in Spain on its free-to-air platform. You can watch the entire coverage of the marathon for free. If you’re outside Spain and want to access RTVE to watch the Berlin Marathon, then use ExpressVPN to connect to a server in Spain.
RBB
The 2023 Berlin Marathon will be broadcast live on the free-to-air TV channel RBB. Watch the marathon in real-time via the RBB24 app from 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. (CET). Use ExpressVPN to connect to a server in Germany to watch the Berlin Marathon in Sweden on RBB.
Berlin Marathon Broadcasters
Here is the complete broadcasters’ list of the Berlin Marathon:
| Region | Broadcaster |
|---|---|
| Austria | ORF |
| Czech Republic | Czech TV |
| France | L’Equipe |
| Germany | Eurosport, RBB |
| Hungary | AMC |
| Netherlands | Ziggo |
| Poland | Polsat |
| Portugal | Sport TV |
| Slovakia | Joj TV |
| Spain | RTVE |
| Switzerland | Swiss Sport TV |
| Bangladesh | T Sports |
| India | Viacom 18 |
| Taiwan | ELTA |
| Australia, New Zealand | Flo Sports |
| Worldwide excl. Germany | SNTV |
What is BMW Berlin Marathon?
The BMW Berlin Marathon is an annual event held in Berlin, Germany, during the last weekend of September. It’s a marathon tradition since 1974, featuring various races covering a marathon distance of 42.195 kilometers (26.219 miles).
The event includes competitive road running for both men and women, a public race, inline skating, a wheelchair race, and a handcycle race, offering a prize purse of $1 million, sponsored by BMW. The marathon events span two days, beginning with skaters on Saturday, followed by the running events. The marathon weekend also hosts power walkers, hand-bikers, wheelchair riders, and a children’s marathon covering 4.2195 kilometers (2.6219 miles), organized by SCC EVENTS.
The Berlin Marathon 2023 Course
The Berlin Marathon course covers a distance of 26 miles, starting and concluding at the renowned Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. Initiating this historic route, runners will pass notable landmarks, such as the Reichstag, when they reach the 6 km mark.
The route meanders through various significant locations, encompassing the Fernsehturm (Berlin Television Tower), Rathaus Schoenberg (where JFK delivered his famous “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech), and the Konzerthaus Berlin.
Post the Brandenburg Gate, the route leads through Charlottenburg, encircling Tiergarten, advancing through Moabit and Mitte before heading south to Friedrichshain. It then turns west between Kreuzberg and Neukölln, passing through Schöneberg and advancing to Friedenau and Zehlendorf before looping back north towards the city’s core. The loop concludes by retracing its path over Schöneberg, culminating in a triumphant finish through the iconic Brandenburg Gate.
Along this journey, runners traverse Berlin’s prominent thoroughfares like the Kurfuerstendamm and Tauentzienstrasse, catching glimpses of landmarks such as the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church and Berlin’s premier department store, KaDeWe.
The course also directs runners through symbolic locations like Nollendorfplatz, Potsdamer Strasse, and Potsdamer Platz, where the Berlin Wall once stood.
Furthermore, the route passes through Leipziger Strasse and the Spreeinsel, offering views of historical remnants like the ruins of Erich Honecker’s Palast der Republik and the former GDR State Council Building. As the journey approaches its conclusion, runners find renewed vigor as they reach Unter den Linden, Berlin’s monumental boulevard, heading towards the grand finish line at the iconic Brandenburg Gate.
Berlin Marathon 2023 Schedule
Here are the start times of the Berlin Marathon 2023 on 24th September.
| Time (CEST) | Class |
|---|---|
| 8:50 am | Handbike competitors (elite) |
| 8:57 am | Wheelchair and handbike competitors |
| 9:15 am | Runners (in 4 waves) |
Athletes to Watch at the 2023 Berlin Marathon
Men’s Race:
- Eliud Kipchoge
- Amos Kipruto
Women’s Race:
- Tigist Assefa
- Sheila Chepkirui
Leading the Men’s Race, Eliud Kipchoge, often hailed as the greatest men’s marathon runner in history, takes center stage at the 2023 Berlin Marathon. Berlin has been a cherished race for Kipchoge, whom he considers akin to a second home.
He has clinched victory multiple times, setting the world record in 2022 with an astonishing time of 2:01:09. However, a recent sixth-place finish in the Boston Marathon due to a leg injury raises questions about his current form.
Amos Kipruto, another formidable contender from Kenya, stands as the primary challenger to Kipchoge. As the victor of the 2022 London Marathon and a runner-up in both the 2018 Berlin Marathon and the 2022 Tokyo Marathon, Kipruto possesses a wealth of international racing experience.
In the women’s race, Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia returns to Berlin to defend her 2022 title, a victory that stunned the world by shattering her personal best by an impressive 18 minutes. Assefa, a former 800m runner and Olympian made history with a time of 2:15:37, the fastest ever by an Ethiopian woman in the Berlin Marathon.
Her strongest competitor could be Sheila Chepkirui, a Kenyan athlete boasting a personal best of 2:17:29 and notable accomplishments in cross-country championships and the marathon at the Commonwealth Games.
Ethiopian runners Tigist Abayechew, Workenesh Edesa, and Hiwot Gebrekidan round out the top contenders, all striving to beat their personal bests and contend for victory in the prestigious Berlin Marathon.
Berlin Marathon Prize Money
The Berlin Marathon is well-known for its substantial prize money, rewarding top performers generously. Here’s the prize distribution for 2023 with a $1 million prize purse:
Men’s Prize Money
- 1st place: $50,000
- 2nd place: $25,500
- 3rd place: $12,500
- 4th place: $7,500
- 5th place: $5,000
- 6th to 10th place: $3,000 each
Women’s Prize Money
- 1st place: $50,000
- 2nd place: $25,500
- 3rd place: $12,500
- 4th place: $7,500
- 5th place: $5,000
- 6th to 10th place: $3,000 each
How Long is the 2023 Berlin Marathon?
The official distance for the 2023 Berlin Marathon is 26 miles and 385 yards. Despite being a flat course with minimal winding and twisting, it qualifies as a full-fledged marathon. The overall design of the course supports speed due to its flat geography, providing a relatively easy path for runners.
Additionally, the marathon’s timing in September coincides with a comfortable period of weather in Germany. Notably, the course minimizes the challenge by featuring fewer sharp turns and twists compared to other marathons known for their winding paths.
Kipchoge Aims for Fifth Consecutive Victory at Berlin Marathon
This Sunday marks the start of the 2023 fall marathon season with the BMW Berlin Marathon, just a week after the Diamond League season in Eugene wrapped up. The spotlight is on Eliud Kipchoge, widely acclaimed as the greatest marathoner in history, as he participates in his sixth Berlin appearance.
Berlin has been an exceptionally successful venue for Kipchoge. In five appearances, he clinched victory four times and set world records in 2018 and 2022. His only loss happened during his debut in 2013, setting a personal best time of 2:04:05, narrowly edged out by Wilson Kipsang’s world record (who was later suspended for whereabouts failures).
Aside from his second-place finish in 2013, Kipchoge has maintained an undefeated streak on the Berlin course. His incredible 2:01:09 performance in 2022, setting a world record and averaging a remarkable 4:37 per mile, tied him with the legendary Haile Gebresleassie with four wins. On Sunday, he aims for a fifth victory after overcoming challenges during the spring season.
In April, the 38-year-old faced a disappointing sixth-place finish in the Boston Marathon while grappling with issues in his left leg. Post-race, Kipchoge took a two-week break and resumed training in May, dedicating four months to focused and uninterrupted preparation. The NN Running Team, his training group, mentioned in a statement that Kipchoge seems ready to return to his peak form in Berlin.
Kipchoge’s optimal performance could lead to another historic achievement in Berlin, where he initially broke the record in 2018 and then again in 2022, shaving off another 30 seconds. Currently eyeing a third consecutive gold medal in the marathon at the 2024 Olympic Games, the Kenyan runner views Berlin as a vital step in his preparation for Paris.
Preview of the 2023 Berlin Marathon
The 2023 fall marathon season kicks off with the BMW Berlin Marathon just a week after the conclusion of the Diamond League season in Eugene. Headlining the event is Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge, widely regarded as the greatest marathoner in history, making his sixth appearance in Berlin.
Berlin has consistently proven to be a successful venue for Kipchoge. He has triumphed in four out of five appearances, setting world records in 2018 and 2022. His only defeat came in his first appearance back in 2013, where he ran a personal best of 2:04:05, narrowly losing to Wilson Kipsang, who later faced suspension for whereabouts failures.
Coming off a rare defeat at the Boston Marathon in April, Kipchoge is the central focus. However, other athletes are also vying to achieve fast times, crucial especially with the Paris Olympics less than a year away.
Tigist Assefa of Ethiopia, who stunned the marathon world with an exceptional course record of 2:15:37 last year, returns to defend her title. The competition will be fierce as Kipchoge faces the challenge from Amos Kipruto, the 2022 London Marathon champion. Additionally, several American male athletes are aiming to meet the 2:08:10 Olympic standard, including Scott Fauble, Teshome Mekonen, 2016 Olympian Jared Ward, and 2021 Olympian Jake Riley.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the 2023 Berlin Marathon scheduled to take place?
The 2023 Berlin Marathon is set to take place on Sunday, 24th September 2023.
What is the official distance of the 2023 Berlin Marathon?
The official distance for the 2023 Berlin Marathon is 26 miles and 385 yards.
How can I watch the live stream of the 2023 Berlin Marathon?
You can watch the Berlin Marathon live stream on various platforms, including BBC iPlayer, ORF, RBB, Eurosport, and FloTrack.
Who are the leading athletes in the men’s race?
Eliud Kipchoge and Amos Kipruto are the prominent athletes headlining the men’s race.
Who are the featured athletes in the women’s race?
Tigst Assefa and Sheila Chepkirui are notable athletes to watch in the women’s race.
How long do runners have to complete the Berlin Marathon?
Runners have 4 hours and 40 minutes to cover the 38.5 km distance in the 2023 Berlin Marathon.
