Strong Fields of Skaters, Handbikers, and Wheelchair Competitors at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON
For the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON from September 20 to 21, organizer SCC EVENTS expects well over 50,000 athletes from more than 160 nations. Among the runners, the national and international elite of the world’s best will gather in Germany’s capital. In the men’s race, the starting field includes Sebastian Sawe, Milkesa Mengesha, and Gabriel Geay. With national record holder Kengo Suzuki and Olympic sixth-place finisher Akira Akasaki, Japan’s top runners will be in Berlin, even though the Athletics World Championships will be held in Tokyo just shortly before.
Rosemary Wanjiru, Degitu Azimeraw, and Mestawut Fikir are among the favorites in the women’s race (see press release from July 29, 2025, for details). Deborah Schöneborn, Domenika Mayer, Fabienne Königstein, as well as Sebastian Hendel, Johannes Motschmann, Hendrik Pfeiffer, and Haftom Welday represent the national elite. But the fields of skaters, wheelchair racers, and handcyclists are also truly impressive.

© SCC EVENTS / Petko Beier
Elite Skaters in Berlin
Despite the World Championships in China taking place at the same time, many top skaters have chosen Berlin. Among the men, the big question is: Can serial winner Bart Swings claim his tenth Berlin victory? The Belgian is again considered the favorite, but strong challengers abound: his compatriot Jason Suttels is waiting for his chance, as are Felix Rijhnen (Darmstadt), Nolan Beddiaf (FRA), and Julio Mirena Ortiz (Paraguay).
In the women’s race, 2024 champion Noraly Berber Vonk from the Netherlands is once again aiming for the title. She will face Aura Cristina Quintana Herrera (COL, 3rd place 2024), Keily Delgado (COL), and Martina Pita (ECU). From a German perspective, all eyes will be on Josie Hofmann, who could spring a surprise.

© SCC EVENTS / Marvin Ibo Güngor
Wheelchair Competitors and Handbikers
For Swiss superstar Marcel Hug, Berlin is like a home course. The wheelchair racing professional from Pfyn in Thurgau (Switzerland) has dominated the Abbott World Marathon Majors series for years and is one of the top favorites. Six-time Berlin champion Manuela Schär is the prime candidate in the women’s field. One of her toughest rivals will be American Tatyana McFadden, one of the pioneers of this sport.
Among the handcyclists, two Berlin legends stand out in the men’s race: 67-year-old Swiss Heinz Frei was one of the world’s best wheelchair racers for many years. Between 1985 and 2013, he won twenty times in the wheelchair category in Berlin. In 2021, he switched to handcycling. Berlin-born Vico Merklein (48) has regularly placed among the top finishers since 2006, winning seven times. Also noteworthy is Joseph Fritsch from France, who has a personal best of 1:00:05. At 27, he is the youngest in the field. Among the women, 2024 champion Francesca Porcellato from Italy will face tough competition from 2022 winner Katrin Möller and last year’s runner-up Julia Dierkesmann.

© SCC EVENTS / Jean-Marc Wiesner
Invitation to the Press Conferences
Thursday, September 18, 2025
Press Conference Elite Presentation Part 1
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Participants: Elite women runners, elite skaters, Jürgen Lock (CEO SCC EVENTS), Mark Milde (Race Director)
Topics: Presentation of elite women runners and skaters, opening of the EXPO, outlook on the event weekend, general information
Venue: Hotel Berlin, Berlin
Friday, September 19, 2025
Press Conference Elite Presentation Part 2
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Participants: Elite male runners, elite wheelchair athletes, Jürgen Lock (CEO SCC EVENTS), Mark Milde (Race Director)
Topics: Presentation of elite male runners, wheelchair racers, and handcyclists, EXPO, outlook on the event weekend, general information, race weather
Venue: Hotel Berlin, Berlin
Saturday, September 20, 2025
Press Conference Inline Skating Results
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Participants: Inline Skating Winners
Venue: Hotel Berlin, Berlin
Sunday, September 21, 2025
Press Conference Running Results
Time: 12:30 p.m.
Participants: Winners in wheelchair racing, handcycling, and running
Venue: Hotel Berlin, Berlin
Media Guide, Accreditation, and Event Magazine
A comprehensive Media Guide for the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2025 can be read here. Accreditation applications for the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON must be submitted exclusively via the online form by September 9, 2025. The Event Magazine is now available online.
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Our sponsors
GENERALI
Generali Germany has been our partner since 2018. The insurance group is part of the international Generali Group and thus also part of a company that is over 190 years old, its history and its heritage. In 2017, the company launched a new sponsorship strategy - “Generali moves Germany”.
The initiative aims to motivate people to lead active health and environmentally conscious lives. Taking part, not watching, is crucial here. In recent years, Generali has thus become one of the largest and most important sponsors in German running. Running promotes physical and mental health and thus has a preventive effect against numerous common diseases. Moreover, hardly any other sport can be practiced in such a resource-saving and environmentally friendly way. Together with the event organizers, Generali develops programs that make major events demonstrably sustainable: in the areas of environmental and climate protection and social commitment.
About 9 million customers are insured with the companies of Generali Germany, which include the brands Generali, CosmosDirekt and Dialog in the life, health and property/casualty segments. Generali's objective is to be a lifetime partner for its customers, offering innovative, individual solutions and services thanks to an excellent sales network in exclusive and direct sales as well as in the broker channel. Generali Germany is part of the "Germany, Austria and Switzerland" (DACH) business unit, which was newly created in 2022.
adidas
Everything at adidas reflects the spirit of our founder, Adi Dassler. Improving the athlete’s performance was his goal; today, his legacy continues with the consumer at the heart of everything the adidas brand does.
The number of runners in Germany is constantly increasing. No matter where they come from, they all have the same goal: Improve. Better runners, better athletes and in the end a better version of themselves.
adidas Running has something for everyone – we want help each person achieve their individual goals. What counts is personal development, which goes far beyond the personal best.
Bett1.de
bett1.de is a Berlin-based company that offers high-quality mattresses online at fair prices.
Fairness, passion, and motivation are the core principles of bett1. That's why bett1 is also committed to excellence and fair competition in sports - as a sponsoring partner of regional clubs and as a host of national and international events. Bett1 promotes sports and team spirit.
ERDINGER Alkoholfrei
ERDINGER Alkoholfrei refreshes all finishers behind the finish line. ERDINGER Alkoholfrei is the ideal beverage after sports: isotonic, rich in vitamins, and low in calories. And ERDINGER Alkoholfrei has only 125 kcl per 0.5-liter bottle! Because a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle are important!
YoPRO
YoPRO is Danone’s high‑protein brand that supports consumers in achieving their individual fitness and exercise goals. With a diverse range of protein-rich dairy products free from added sugar, containing little to no fat, and offering 15 to 23 grams of protein per serving, YoPRO provides the ideal solution for an active and healthy lifestyle. Enriched with magnesium and vitamin B9, YoPRO helps support the body in building muscle and reducing fatigue.*
* Proteins contribute to the maintenance and growth of muscle mass. Magnesium contributes to normal muscle function. Vitamin B9 (folate) helps reduce tiredness and fatigue.
Garmin
Garmin is a leading active tech company. The company develops innovative products for people who lead active lifestyles – ranging from smartwatches and dive and cycling computers to cockpits for private aircraft and radar systems for yachts. Founded in 1989 in Olathe, Kansas, by friends and engineers Gary Burrell and Dr. Min Kao, Garmin today stands for a broad and highly differentiated product portfolio across the Outdoor, Fitness, Aviation, Automotive OEM and Marine segments.
Höffner
Keep on running – with Höffner
The right amount of regeneration is as important as your training. Discover our large selection of comfortable beds and sofas. And for your running clothes and shoes you can also get practical cabinets from us. Just take a look!
More than furniture
Möbel Höffner is your full-service dealer for furniture and kitchens in Germany. We combine our artisan roots with modern retailing in 24 spacious furniture centers in Germany and, of course, online.
MAURTEN
Developed for endurance athletes, Maurten fuels the fastest to world records and gold medals. With a sports fuel range including Gels and Drink Mixes made from patented Hydrogel Technology and Solid energy bars, athletes can easily consume the carbohydrates needed to sustain performance in training and racing.
Hydrogel Technology encapsulates the carbohydrates — the currency of fueling — in a hydrogel and carries them through the stomach to be absorbed — making fueling for sports easier. Maurten is the official Hydrogel Sports Fuel Partner of the GENERALI BERLIN HALF MARATHON — fueling runners on race day with Gel 100 and Drink Mix 160 on-course.
Titanic Hotels
TITANIC Hotels Group is an established and reputable hotel chain based in Istanbul, operating luxury hotels in various cities in Turkey and Germany, founded in 1997. The Group is known for special quality of service, its unique accommodations often with historic architecture, its attention to detail and its first-class culinary offerings. The company is committed to sustainability and environmental protection and is involved in social projects. The group has received numerous awards in recent years.
Peloton
Peloton is a global fitness company with a dedicated community of millions of members. Through world-class workouts with professional instructors - live and on demand - Peloton empowers its members to achieve their fitness goals, no matter where they are on their fitness journey. The combination of engaging classes, innovative technology, high-quality training equipment and the versatile Peloton App allows for a tailored workout - with or without equipment.









