Sunday, 24th September, just a week after the end of the Diamond League season, the 2023 fall marathon season begins with the iconic BMW Berlin Marathon. Headlined by the greatest marathon runner in history, Eliud Kipchoge, making his sixth appearance in Berlin.
The 2023 Berlin Marathon, in its 49th annual occurrence, anticipates a massive turnout, with over 45,000 runners gearing up for the event. When the starting pistol echoes through the air, runners will embark on a 38.5 km journey with a strict time limit of 4 hours and 40 minutes, emphasizing the significance of managing their pace effectively. Here is everything you need to know to watch Berlin Marathon in Ireland.
Stream Berlin Marathon Live in Ireland – [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 Ireland
You can watch the Berlin Marathon live stream in Ireland 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 Ireland on RBB.
FloTrack
The Berlin Marathon will be live-streamed on FloTrack in several countries, including the US. To watch the live coverage of the 2023 Berlin Marathon, consider subscribing to FloTrack. They offer both monthly and annual subscription plans, allowing you to stream the race on your TV as well as other devices.
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 on the streets of Berlin, Germany, occurring every last weekend of September. This longstanding tradition, dating back to 1974, comprises a range of races covering the marathon distance of 42.195 kilometers (26.219 miles).
These races encompass highly competitive road running competitions for both men and women, a public race, an inline skating race, a wheelchair race, and a handcycle race. The event boasts an annual series of top-tier races, offering a substantial prize purse totaling $1 million. Presently, BMW holds the prestigious title sponsorship for this marathon.
The marathon events unfold over two days, kicking off with skaters competing on the marathon course on Saturday, followed by the running events.
Beyond the primary events, the marathon weekend also accommodates power walkers, hand-bikers, wheelchair riders, and even a children’s marathon, covering a shorter distance of 4.2195 kilometers (2.6219 miles), which is a tenth of the standard marathon distance. SCC EVENTS organizes this prominent gathering.
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) |
Berlin Marathon 2023 Course
The Berlin Marathon course spans a total of 26 miles and begins and ends at one of Berlin’s iconic landmarks—the Brandenburg Gate. Commencing this historic route, runners will pass significant landmarks, including the Reichstag, at the 6 km mark.
The course winds through numerous notable locations, including the Fernsehturm (Berlin Television Tower), Rathaus Schoenberg (where JFK delivered his famous “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech), and the Konzerthaus Berlin.
After passing through the Brandenburg Gate, the route heads through Charlottenburg, encircling Tiergarten, proceeding through Moabit and Mitte before heading southward to Friedrichshain. Following this, it takes a westward turn 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.
Throughout 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 guides runners through symbolic locations like Nollendorfplatz, Potsdamer Strasse, and Potsdamer Platz, where the Berlin Wall once stood.
Moreover, 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.
Past Winner of the Berlin Marathon
The Berlin Marathon has been a stage for remarkable triumphs and the setting for several world record-breaking performances by top athletes. Below are the most recent notable champions of the marathon:
| Date | Men’s winner | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 25 September 2022 | Eliud Kipchoge | Kenya |
| 26 September 2021 | Guye Adola | Ethiopia |
| 29 September 2019 | Kenenisa Bekele | Ethiopia |
| 16 September 2018 | Eliud Kipchoge | Kenya |
| 24 September 2017 | Eliud Kipchoge | Kenya |
| 25 September 2016 | Kenenisa Bekele | Ethiopia |
| 27 September 2015 | Eliud Kipchoge | Kenya |
| 28 September 2014 | Dennis Kimetto | Kenya |
| 29 September 2013 | Wilson Kipsang | Kenya |
| 30 September 2012 | Geoffrey Mutai | Kenya |
Athletes to Watch at the 2023 Berlin Marathon:
Men’s Race:
- Eliud Kipchoge: Widely regarded as the greatest men’s marathon runner, Berlin has been a particularly successful ground for Kipchoge. He set the world record of 2:01:09 in the 2022 Berlin Marathon. Despite a challenging performance in the 2023 Boston Marathon, finishing sixth due to a leg injury, Kipchoge remains a dominant figure in the sport and aims for another remarkable feat in Berlin.
- Amos Kipruto: Hailing from Kenya, Kipruto is a formidable contender and a compatriot to Kipchoge. Known for winning the 2022 London Marathon and securing second place in the 2022 Tokyo Marathon, he is a strong competitor. With a personal best time of 2:03:13, Kipruto poses a significant challenge and is ready to seize an opportunity should he face any obstacles during the race.
Women’s Race:
- Tigist Assefa: Returning to defend her title from 2022, Assefa surprised the running world with an exceptional performance, shattering her personal best by 18 minutes. Her time of 2:15:37 was not only the fastest ever by an Ethiopian woman but also the fifth-fastest in history. Assefa’s background as a former 800m runner and Olympian adds to the intrigue surrounding her prowess in marathons.
- Sheila Chepkirui: A strong challenger in the women’s race, Chepkirui holds an impressive personal best of 2:17:29. Hailing from Kenya, she is a former African Cross Country Championships winner and achieved third place in the marathon at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Her track record showcases her potential to give a tough competition in the 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
Kipchoge Aims for Fifth Consecutive Victory
This Sunday marks the kickoff of the 2023 fall marathon season with the BMW Berlin Marathon, just a week after the conclusion of the Diamond League season in Eugene. The spotlight is on Eliud Kipchoge, widely regarded as the greatest marathoner in history, as he makes his sixth appearance in Berlin.
Berlin has been a particularly successful venue for Kipchoge. Out of his five appearances in the city, he has emerged victorious four times, achieving world records in 2018 and 2022. His only defeat occurred during his first appearance in 2013, where he set a personal best time of 2:04:05 and was narrowly beaten by Wilson Kipsang’s world record (who was later suspended for whereabouts failures).
Except for his runner-up finish in 2013, Kipchoge has maintained an unbeaten streak on the Berlin course. His remarkable 2:01:09 performance in 2022, setting a world record and averaging an astonishing 4:37 per mile, tied him with the legendary Haile Gebresleassie with four wins. On Sunday, he’ll strive for a fifth victory after overcoming challenges during the spring season.
In April, the 38-year-old finished a disappointing sixth in the Boston Marathon while dealing with issues in his left leg. After the race, Kipchoge took a two-week break and resumed training in May, undergoing four months of dedicated and uninterrupted preparation. The NN Running Team, his training group, mentioned in a statement that Kipchoge seems poised to return to his peak form in Berlin.
Kipchoge’s best performance could lead to another historic feat 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 crucial step in his preparation for Paris.
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.
