Live ticker | 50th Berlin Marathon: Berlin Marathon 2024 in the live ticker: +++ The start of the skaters is imminent +++ 50th Berlin Marathon officially opened +++

The Berlin Marathon is in its 50th edition this weekend. More than 80,000 people roll, skate and run through the city. Everything you need to know about this mega event in our live ticker.

Saturday September 28th

10:51 a.m.: Skaters wait for the starting signal

Before the runners, handbikers and wheelchair users start their race on Sunday, the skaters are already out and about on Saturday. The first participants will take to the track at 12:20 p.m. You start in four groups. The last “wave” rolls out at 1:23 p.m.

This year there is something new for the skaters: the route is not the same as the runners' route; instead, the inline skaters circle a smaller course near the Victory Column five times. The men's race is particularly eagerly awaited, with last year's winner Jason Suttels and eight-time winner Bart Swings (both from Belgium) taking part.

Friday, September 27th

7 p.m.: 50th Berlin Marathon ceremoniously opened

The marathon weekend in Berlin officially kicked off with a big opening show on Friday evening in front of the Brandenburg Gate. The Ethiopian runner Tigist Assefa, who sensationally won the Berlin Marathon last year with a world record time of 2:11:53, took part in the celebration.

At the beginning of the event, the governing mayor of Berlin, Kai Wegner, gave a welcoming speech. The event was musically accompanied by live performances by Lucenzo, Joy Denalane and Nomcebo Zikode.

2:13 p.m.: Kibiwott Kandie with problems upon arrival

Co-favorite Kibiwott Kandie from Kenya had to spend an unplanned overnight stay in Istanbul on the way to the Berlin Marathon. The reason was problems with entry, reported Berlin race director Mark Milde two days before the 50th edition of the race on Sunday (9:15 a.m.).

Kandie was actually expected in Berlin on Thursday. The race director spoke of a group of 20 athletes who were held up.

When asked by rbb|24, Milde explained that a flight overbooking was the reason for the delay – and spoke of a stressful time for the athletes in Istanbul. Because they would have had to take care of their own food and spontaneous search for accommodation.

According to Milde, the group around former half marathon world record holder Kandie has now landed in Berlin.

1:57 p.m.: Mild temperatures on Sunday

Good conditions are expected for the marathon on Sunday – both for the runners and the audience. In the morning it should be around 12 degrees while the sun is shining.

12:59 p.m.: Police look relaxed on Marathon

The Berlin police do not see any particular threat to the marathon. According to a police spokesman, 530 police officers will be on duty throughout the marathon weekend. The main task is to regulate traffic around the marathon in the best possible way for participants, spectators and everyone else.

The police are not expecting an action by climate activists like last year or other protests.

Thursday, September 26th

12:31 p.m.: The really big stars of the scene are missing

Unlike in many years past, there is not a big name at the start of the 50th Berlin Marathon a few weeks after the Olympic Games. Aces like Haile Gebrselassie and Eliud Kipchoge have set several world records on the flat course. Last year, the Ethiopian Tigst Assefa set a fabulous record of 2:11:53 hours. Another record – also a German one – would be a surprise this time.

Milestones and moments from 50 years of the Berlin Marathon

When the Berlin Marathon takes place for the 50th time on Sunday, more runners than ever before will race through the German capital. A look back at five decades – with founder and “inspirer” Horst Milde. By Anton Fahlmore

Also not taking part this time is the German record holder Amanal Petros, who, like Kipchoge, gave up at the Olympics.

Wednesday, September 25th

10:45 a.m.: Traffic restrictions am marathon weekend

As every year, Berliners will have to prepare for traffic restrictions on the streets and in local public transport on the marathon weekend.

Since Wednesday, the closure of the June 17 road has been extended to the Great Star and also includes Yitzhak Rabin Road. This, as well as the closure of Ebertstrasse, ends on October 1st, around 6 p.m. The first streets in the wider city area will be closed on Saturday from around 11:20 a.m. as part of the inline skaters' race.

A detailed overview of the closures can be found here.

Tuesday, September 24th

4:11 p.m.: The biggest milestones of the Berlin Marathon

When the Berlin Marathon takes place for the 50th time on Sunday, more runners than ever before will race through the German capital. When a marathon took place in Berlin for the first time, the city was still divided – and the field of participants was manageable.

“In 1974, in what was then West Berlin – surrounded by a wall – there were exactly 286 participants at the start – at that time there were still a few women,” remembers Horst Milde, initiator or “inspirator” of the Berlin Marathon, as he himself says , in conversation with rbb. The complete article on the biggest moments and milestones from 50 years of the Berlin Marathon can be found here.

Monday, September 23rd

5:26 p.m.: Record number of participants at the 50th edition

A record number of 58,212 runners have registered for the 50th Berlin Marathon next Sunday. “Our vision from the start was that we wanted to have 50,000 finishers for the anniversary,” said managing director Jürgen Lock from the organizer SCC Events. Experience has shown that not everyone who registered actually takes part in the 42.195 kilometer race.

According to the organizers, a total of more than 80,000 participants from 161 nations are expected at the weekend, including handbike and wheelchair athletes as well as skaters. The inline skating race will take place on Saturday.

Tuesday, September 17th

6:15 a.m.: Postman Günter Hallas wins the premiere and will also be there in 2024

In 1974, postman Günter Hallas won the first Berlin Marathon. For the 50th anniversary, the 82-year-old will compete there one last time – with an artificial knee and in a duo with a second anniversary.

Even after 50 years, Günter Hallas has not really deciphered the secret of his first marathon victory. “I don't know how that happened either… Suddenly I was at the front,” says the 82-year-old, spoken to on October 13, 1974. And Hallas stayed at the front. “One kilometer before the finish I was hanging on the side of the fence in the fence,” he recalled, “but a friend spurred me on.”

After 2:44 hours, the Berliner crossed the finish line at the Mommsenstadion. A two-minute lead made him the winner of the first ever Berlin Marathon. Here you can find the whole story about Günter Hallas.

The multi-million dollar business with the Berlin Marathon

The 50th anniversary of the Berlin Marathon is coming up. In addition to possible records, the capital is looking forward to thriving business. Who particularly wins? How strong is the city? One thing is clear: the run enjoys a special status. By Shea Westhoffmore

Monday, September 9th

6:15 a.m.: The multimillion-dollar business of the Berlin Marathon

The 50th anniversary of the Berlin Marathon is coming up. In addition to possible records, the capital is looking forward to thriving business. But who particularly wins? And what is the city like? One thing is clear: the run enjoys a special status.

The marathon is an important economic factor in Berlin, although the organizer SCC Events generally does not provide any information about financial aspects. The biggest cost factor for the organizers is likely to be the entry fees for the marathon stars.

Before Corona there was a study about the Berlin Marathon. You are talking about a whopping 383 million euros in added value. You can find out more about the multimillion-dollar Berlin Marathon business here.

Broadcast: rbb24, September 29th, 9:45 p.m