Berlin Marathon Weekend Kicks Off with GENERALI 5K and Inline Triumphs

Lead: In perfect running weather, 10,613 athletes launched the 51st BMW Berlin Marathon weekend with Saturday’s GENERALI 5K, where Primož Kobe (SLO) and Ijke Mourits (NED) claimed victories in 15:06 and 17:22, respectively. Nut Graf: As runners collected bib numbers at Messe Berlin and tested the marathon course in a low-threshold 5 km race, the event’s opening day set an energetic tone ahead of Sunday’s full marathon, showcasing both grassroots participation and elite-level competition.

GENERALI 5K: Inclusive First Step

  • 10,613 participants, including over 2,000 Berlin locals, tackled the final 5 km before the marathon.
  • Designed to introduce newcomers to distance running, the GENERALI 5K follows the original marathon route between Potsdamer Platz and Brandenburg Gate.

Inline Skating Showcase

  • Primož Kobe (SLO) crossed the inline finish line in 15:06, outpacing the field on wheels.
  • Ijke Mourits (NED) seized the women’s inline title in 17:22, highlighting skate athletes’ prominence in the Berlin weekend lineup.

Marathon Expo Highlights

Athletes and fans explored 128 exhibitors across 30,000 m² at the Marathon Expo in Messe Süd, discovering the latest in running gear, sports nutrition, and recovery services.

Elite Athletes Arrive in Berlin

National and international marathon stars, including Milkesa Mengesha, Sebastian Sawe, and Gabriel Geay, completed pre-race formalities. Many aim for fast times on Berlin’s famously flat course and potential record-breakers on Sunday.

What’s Next

Tomorrow’s main event-the 42.195 km marathon-will feature almost 80,000 participants from 160 nations, with elite fields in running, wheelchair, and handbike categories converging on Berlin’s streets for what promises to be one of the world’s fastest road races.