The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON is in the starting blocks and is returning to its former strength. Not only 45,527 runners, 4,153 inline skaters and 142 wheelchair athletes and hand cyclists are expected to take part this weekend. The youngsters will also set an impressive example for physical activity - with around 8,000 pupils taking part in the mini-MARATHON and around 1,500 children in the Bambini Run and KidsSkating.

All in all, the participants come from 157 nations - so the event not only stands for an exercise-oriented lifestyle. "Cosmopolitanism, tolerance and acceptance are our core values," emphasises Jürgen Lock in his function as CEO of SCC EVENTS at today's press conference. He refers to the recent cooperation with the Alliance against Homophobia as well as the German Para-Championships in the marathon, which will be held during the event. "Furthermore, we are very happy about a cooperation with Special Olympics Germany (SOD), which includes various inclusive participation opportunities over shortened distances. In addition, for the first time, 20 volunteers from SOD will be involved in the start/finish area," says the managing director and adds: "Our self-image is not to act in a separating but in a including way". One of the best examples of this are the wheelchair athletes and hand cyclists who have been a natural part of the competitions for decades.

Focus on sustainability
The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON and SCC EVENTS also take responsibility for social issues with regard to a sustainable, resource-saving approach to the environment. A renewed certification according to the EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) is currently in the final stages of examination. The organiser also cooperates with the world’s leading independent conservation organisation WWF. "Our aim is to continue to develop standards that are transferable to major sporting events," says Jürgen Lock, referring to the free public transport (BVG) ticket for all participants, which is valid for the first time this year on all event days from Thursday to Sunday. The BVG, for its part, will increase the frequency and capacity during peak hours on the marathon weekend. At the same time, the topics of waste avoidance, separation and recycling are of great importance. Drinking cups made of recycled material will be used as well as refill stations for drinking systems. After use, the heat foils made from recycled material are pressed in the company's own baling press directly on site and made available to the manufacturer as raw material for new foils. "Clothes discarded before the start are also collected and handed over to the charity organisation Berliner Stadtmission," Lock lists another example.

Getting the next generation moving
Getting children excited about sport and exercise at an early age is an important concern at SCC EVENTS. A total of around 9,500 pupils will take part in the mini-MARATHON on Saturday, as well as in the Bambini Run and KidsSkating. The Fridolin Flink children's book, which was presented on Sunday evening at the traditional literature marathon, also demonstrates the commitment to young people.Another highlight in the supporting programme is the "Meet the Legends". On Friday evening at 6 pm, the top stars of the runners will introduce themselves to the public at the Brandenburg Gate.  In addition, three athletes will be inducted into the Hall of Fame: 20-time winner in the wheelchair Heinz Frei, 2008 winner Irina Mikitenko and Bart Swings, seven-time winner of the inline marathon, course record holder and Olympic champion in speed skating.

GENERALI Breakfast Run at a new location
The GENERALI Breakfast Run with around 10,000 participants on Saturday morning (September 24) is  the kick-off run and will take place at the former Tempelhof Airport, where the MARATHON EXPO will be held from Thursday onwards. Around 120,000 trade fair visitors are expected. There, the GREEN LINE stand will provide exciting information on environmental topics.  By the way, after this year's sporting challenges, there will finally be time to party again: On both Saturday and Sunday evening there will be an After Race Party at the Metropol on Nollendorfplatz.

Top class race expected
Berlin is considered the world's fastest marathon course and the perfect place for world record times. The star line-up is accordingly high: double Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge (KEN) and the winner of the BMW BERLIN MARATHON 2021 Guye Adola (ETH) will start in the German capital. The field of top female runners is just as high-class with the American Keira D'Amato and Guteni Shone Imana (ETH). From a German perspective, the participation of Johannes Motschmann can be announced. He celebrated the biggest success in his career so far at this year's European Championships, winning the silver medal in the marathon team classification. (You can find out more about the top fields at the press conferences on Thursday and Friday, see below).

Tops men:

Tops women:

Online late media accreditation
The first accreditation period for the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2022 ended on September 12. Subsequent accreditation can be made via an online form until September 21. Please note that certain areas in the start-finish area have limited capacity and accreditation requests received after September 12 will be given priority. This year special hygiene conditions in the media center apply. Here you find the media guide. 

Event week schedule of the 2022 BMW BERLIN-MARATHON

Press conference presentation elite athletes part 1

• Date: September 22, 2022
• Clock: ca. 11.00 a.m.
• Participants: Elite women (Keira D'Amato [USA], Vibian Chepkirui [KEN], Rosemary Wanjiru [KEN] and, as guests, the European Championship team gold medallists Deborah und Rabea Schöneborn [Marathon Team Berlin]), elite inline skater (Felix Rijhnen [GER], Viktor Thorup [DK], Michelle Uhrig [GER]), Jürgen Lock (CEO SCC EVENTS), Mark Milde (Race Director)
• Topics: Start of the EXPO, outlook for the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON weekend, Presentation of the elite runners (women) and elite inline skater, general topics
• Place: Hotel InterContinental, Room "Pavillon"

MARATHON EXPO

• Date: from September 22 to September 24, 2022
• Clock: from 2.00 p.m. (Sept 22) / other opening hours here
• Topics: All participants pick up their race kits in person at the EXPO;  information from national and international exhibitors about lifestyle, sports, wellness, health and nutrition; official collection of the BMW BERLIN MARATHON 
• Place: former airport Tempelhof; Platz der Luftbrücke 5, 12101 Berlin

Press conference elite athletes part 2

• Date: September 23, 2022
• Clock: 11.00 a.m.
• Participants: Elite runners men  (Eliud Kipchoge [KEN], Guye Adola [ETH], Ghirmay Ghebreslassie [ERI], Johannes Motschmann [Marathon Team Berlin]), elite wheelchair athletes (Manuela Schär [SUI], Merle Menje [GER], Madison de Rozario [AUS], Marcel Hug [SUI], Daniel Romanchuk [USA], Jetze Plat [NED]), Jürgen Lock (CEO SCC EVENTS), Mark Milde (Race Director)
• Topics: EXPO, Outlook for the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON weekend, Presentation of the elite runners (men) and elite wheelchair athletes and handbiker, general topics, wheather forecast
• Place: Hotel InterContinental, Room "Pavillon"

BMW BERLIN-MARATHON - Meet the Legends (Photo Call)

• Date: September 23, 2022
• Clock: 6.00 p.m.
• Place: Hall of Fame Lindenrondell/Straße des 17. Juni (Near Brandenburg Gate)
• Induction of new athletes into the Hall of Fame (Irina Mikitenko [GER, a.o. winner 2008 BERLIN-MARATHON, Heinz Frei [SUI] 20-time winner in wheelchair competition at BERLIN-MARATHON, Bart Swings [BEL] 7-time winner at BMW BERLIN-MARATHON Inlineskating)
• Honouring the European Championship medallists in the Marathon Team (gold medallists Deborah and Rabea Schöneborn as well as silver medallists Johannes Motschmann)
• Presentation of the elite runners on site (Keira D'Amato [USA], Vibian Chepkirui [KEN], Rosemary Wanjiru [KEN] sowie Eliud Kipchoge [KEN], Guye Adola [ETH] und Ghirmay Ghebreslassie [ERI])

BMW BERLIN-MARATHON Inline skating 2022

• Date: September 24, 2022
• Clock:  3.30 p.m.
• Topic: Start
• Place: Straße des 17. Juni

Press conference winner Inline skating

• Date: September 24, 2022
• Clock: ca. 6.30 p.m.
• Participants: Winner of the 2022 BMW BERLIN-MARATHON Inline skating
• Place: Hotel InterContinental, Room "Pavillon"

BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2022

• Date: September 25, 2022
• Clock: First start 8.50 a.m. (more starting times)
• Topic: Start
• Place: Straße des 17. Juni

Press conference Winner running, wheelchair competition and handbikers

• Date: September 25, 2022
• Clock: ca. 12.30 p.m.
• Participants: Winner of the 2022 BMW BERLIN-MARATHON (running, wheelchair, handbike)
• Place: Hotel InterContinental, Room "Pavillon"

The press conferences will be offered via livestream and afterwards in the stream via download in English. The links will be made available in the media section of our website shortly before the press conferences.

1) CEO Jürgen Lock (right) and Race-Director Mark Milde are looking forward to the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2022 together with the whole SCC EVENTS team
Photo credit: SCC EVENTS/Tilo Wiedensohler (camera4)