Berlin Marathon: Elevation Profile, Course Map & Pace Calculator
A flat, fast loop through central Berlin and the world's premier record course. Eight men's world records have fallen here since 1998, most recently Eliud Kipchoge's 2:01:09. Brandenburg Gate sits at km 41, and the closing kilometre runs straight down Unter den Linden.
The Berlin Marathon is exceptionally flat and fast — rated 1/5 on our difficulty scale. Over the official 42.195 km (26.2 mi) the course gains about 750 ft (230 m) and loses 760 ft (230 m), with roughly level start to finish. Grade-adjusted pace says the toughest stretch arrives at kilometre 38 (near mile 23.5), demanding about 11% more effort than the same distance on flat ground. The steepest pitch on course reaches 10.0%.
Course stats
| Distance | 26.2 mi (42.195 km) |
|---|---|
| Location | Berlin, Germany |
| Total ascent | 750 ft (230 m) |
| Total descent | 760 ft (230 m) |
| Net elevation | -13 ft (-4 m) |
| Steepest grade | 10.0% |
| Difficulty | 1/5 |
| Field size | ≈55,000 runners |
| Race day | Last Sunday of September |
Kilometre-by-kilometre splits (grade-adjusted)
Grade-adjusted (GAP) splits for a 4:00:00 finish, computed from the course's elevation profile with the Minetti gradient-cost model: uphill kilometres get more time, downhills less, at even effort. Splits scale proportionally for any other goal time — the interactive pace calculator on this page computes them exactly.
| Kilometre | GAP pace /km | GAP pace /mi | Elev Δ | Elapsed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5:40 | 9:08 | -1 ft (0 m) | 5:40 |
| 2 | 5:36 | 9:01 | -7 ft (-2 m) | 11:17 |
| 3 | 5:40 | 9:07 | -1 ft (0 m) | 16:57 |
| 4 | 5:48 | 9:21 | +9 ft (+3 m) | 22:45 |
| 5 | 5:35 | 8:59 | -10 ft (-3 m) | 28:20 |
| 6 | 5:43 | 9:12 | +3 ft (+1 m) | 34:03 |
| 7 | 5:36 | 9:01 | -9 ft (-3 m) | 39:39 |
| 8 | 5:49 | 9:21 | +11 ft (+3 m) | 45:27 |
| 9 | 5:48 | 9:20 | +13 ft (+4 m) | 51:15 |
| 10 | 5:44 | 9:14 | +6 ft (+2 m) | 56:59 |
| 11 | 5:40 | 9:07 | -3 ft (-1 m) | 1:02:39 |
| 12 | 5:38 | 9:03 | -7 ft (-2 m) | 1:08:17 |
| 13 | 5:25 | 8:44 | -28 ft (-8 m) | 1:13:42 |
| 14 | 5:51 | 9:26 | +17 ft (+5 m) | 1:19:34 |
| 15 | 5:44 | 9:14 | +6 ft (+2 m) | 1:25:18 |
| 16 | 5:42 | 9:11 | +3 ft (+1 m) | 1:31:00 |
| 17 | 5:44 | 9:13 | +6 ft (+2 m) | 1:36:44 |
| 18 | 5:41 | 9:09 | +1 ft (0 m) | 1:42:25 |
| 19 | 5:43 | 9:13 | +2 ft (+1 m) | 1:48:09 |
| 20 | 5:38 | 9:05 | -4 ft (-1 m) | 1:53:47 |
| 21 | 5:33 | 8:56 | -14 ft (-4 m) | 1:59:20 |
| 22 | 5:42 | 9:10 | +2 ft (+1 m) | 2:05:02 |
| 23 | 5:48 | 9:20 | +12 ft (+4 m) | 2:10:50 |
| 24 | 5:48 | 9:21 | +14 ft (+4 m) | 2:16:38 |
| 25 | 5:42 | 9:11 | +1 ft (0 m) | 2:22:21 |
| 26 | 5:40 | 9:07 | -1 ft (0 m) | 2:28:01 |
| 27 | 5:44 | 9:13 | +6 ft (+2 m) | 2:33:44 |
| 28 | 5:48 | 9:21 | +14 ft (+4 m) | 2:39:33 |
| 29 | 5:43 | 9:13 | +5 ft (+2 m) | 2:45:16 |
| 30 | 5:37 | 9:03 | -5 ft (-2 m) | 2:50:53 |
| 31 | 5:32 | 8:54 | -15 ft (-5 m) | 2:56:25 |
| 32 | 5:40 | 9:07 | -4 ft (-1 m) | 3:02:05 |
| 33 | 5:34 | 8:57 | -14 ft (-4 m) | 3:07:39 |
| 34 | 5:49 | 9:21 | +14 ft (+4 m) | 3:13:28 |
| 35 | 5:25 | 8:43 | -28 ft (-9 m) | 3:18:53 |
| 36 | 5:42 | 9:11 | +3 ft (+1 m) | 3:24:35 |
| 37 | 5:39 | 9:05 | -3 ft (-1 m) | 3:30:14 |
| 38 | 5:42 | 9:11 | +3 ft (+1 m) | 3:35:56 |
| 39 | 6:19 | 10:10 | +58 ft (+18 m) | 3:42:15 |
| 40 | 5:29 | 8:50 | -33 ft (-10 m) | 3:47:44 |
| 41 | 5:38 | 9:04 | -5 ft (-2 m) | 3:53:23 |
| 42 | 5:26 | 8:45 | -26 ft (-8 m) | 3:58:49 |
| 42.2 | 6:05 | 9:47 | +8 ft (+2 m) | 4:00:00 |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Berlin Marathon flat or hilly?
The Berlin Marathon is exceptionally flat and fast (1/5 difficulty). Total ascent is about 750 ft (230 m) over 26.2 miles.
How much elevation gain does the Berlin Marathon have?
About 750 ft (230 m) of total ascent and 760 ft (230 m) of descent, for a net change of -13 ft (-4 m). Figures come from a digital elevation model, so very flat courses can read 20–30 ft high.
What is the hardest part of the Berlin Marathon course?
Kilometre 38 (near mile 23.5) is the toughest split on the course by grade-adjusted effort. Grade-adjusted pace puts it at roughly 11% more effort than flat running. The steepest grade on course is 10.0%.
When is the Berlin Marathon?
The Berlin Marathon is typically held on the last Sunday of September. The next edition is expected around September 27, 2026. Confirm the exact date on the official race website.
How many runners take part in the Berlin Marathon?
The field is roughly 55,000 runners.
What pace do I need to run the Berlin Marathon in my goal time?
At an even pace: 3:00:00 needs 6:52/mi (4:16/km); 3:30:00 needs 8:01/mi (4:59/km); 4:00:00 needs 9:09/mi (5:41/km); 4:30:00 needs 10:18/mi (6:24/km); 5:00:00 needs 11:27/mi (7:07/km); 5:30:00 needs 12:35/mi (7:49/km). On this course, grade-adjusted pacing shifts a few seconds per mile between uphill and downhill splits — the pace calculator on this page computes those splits for any goal time.
Plan your Berlin race
Marathons with a similar profile
- Philadelphia Marathon — 740 ft (230 m) ascent
- New York City Marathon — 770 ft (230 m) ascent
- Boston Marathon — 770 ft (240 m) ascent
- London Marathon — 770 ft (240 m) ascent
Official race site: https://www.bmw-berlin-marathon.com/