Berlin Marathon training plan
A Berlin Marathon plan for 26 September 2027: the flat, fast course, when to start, and a coach that plans each week from the runs you log.
Race day: Sunday 26 September 2027 · Berlin, Germany
No card needed. Then $9.99 a month or $59.99 a year.
Week 1
5 runs4 h 2 minCoach
This first week matches what you're running now, so your body can settle in.
The course
Flat and fast
Berlin is known as a flat, fast course, and the marathon world record has been broken there more than a dozen times.
Near the Brandenburg Gate, both ends
The race starts and finishes near the Brandenburg Gate.
A tour of the city
The route passes Charlottenburg, goes around the Tiergarten and through Mitte and Friedrichshain, then south through Kreuzberg and Neukölln and out to Schöneberg and Zehlendorf before turning back to the centre.
When to start
Count back from race day. From 2027 the race is the Generali Berlin Marathon.
| Length | Start by | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| 12 weeks | Monday 28 June 2027 | You run regularly now |
| 16 weeks | Monday 31 May 2027 | A common length for a marathon |
| 20 weeks | Monday 3 May 2027 | More room if you run little now |
What matters for the Berlin Marathon
Pacing is the whole race
On a course this flat, a time goal comes down to even pacing. In the later weeks some long runs finish at marathon pace, so you know what it feels like for hours.
Train through the summer
A late-September race puts most of the plan in the summer. Run early or late in the day, and carry water on long runs.
Practise your fuel
Use the long runs to test the drinks and gels you will use on the course. Race day is a bad time to find out what works.
Getting a place
Places have been allocated by lottery, with other routes such as charity and tour operators. The organisers publish how entry works for your year.
The organisers' siteEvery week to race day
- Week 1: 242 minutes, build
- Week 2: 264 minutes, build
- Week 3: 288 minutes, build
- Week 4: 318 minutes, build
- Week 5: 318 minutes, build
- Week 6: 242 minutes, easier
- Week 7: 319 minutes, race-specific
- Week 8: 351 minutes, race-specific
- Week 9: 379 minutes, race-specific
- Week 10: 283 minutes, easier
- Week 11: 376 minutes, race-specific
- Week 12: 407 minutes, race-specific
- Week 13: 418 minutes, race-specific
- Week 14: 326 minutes, taper
- Week 15: 261 minutes, taper
- Week 16: 433 minutes, race week
- Week 6 This is an easier week, so your body can absorb the training.
- Week 7 A new 4-week cycle starts, focused on race-specific work at your race effort. Race-specific training: sessions at your race effort.
- Week 14 Taper: less running, same intensity, so you start the race fresh.
Questions before you start
When should I start training for the Berlin Marathon?
For a plan of at least 16 weeks, start by Monday 31 May 2027. 12 weeks (Monday 28 June 2027) suits a runner who already runs regularly, and 20 weeks (Monday 3 May 2027) gives more room if you run little now. A race in the autumn puts most of the plan in the summer, so run early or late in the day and carry water on long runs. When you set your race, your coach checks the date against your running and tells you if it comes too soon.
Is the Berlin Marathon flat?
Yes. It is known as a flat, fast course, which is why runners chasing a personal best choose it, and why even pacing matters more than hills.
How do I get into the Berlin Marathon?
Places have been allocated by lottery, with other routes such as charity and tour operators. Check the organisers' site for how entry works for your year.
What if I miss a run?
Skip it with a reason, or just leave it. Missed runs are never made up: next week is planned from what you actually ran.
What happens after the 14 days?
Unless you subscribe, for $9.99 a month or $59.99 a year, your coach stops: no new weeks, logging, check-ins or reminders. You can still see your plan, past weeks and logged runs, and download or delete your data. We never asked for a card, so nothing is charged.
Other race plans
- London Marathon training plan24–25 April 2027
- Boston Marathon training plan19 April 2027
- Paris Marathon training planApril 2027
- Chicago Marathon training plan10 October 2027
- New York City Marathon training plan7 November 2027
Other plans
- Marathon training plan16 weeksWeek 1: 4 runs, 3 h 32 min
- Sub-4 hour marathon training plan16 weeksWeek 1: 4 runs, 3 h 57 min
- 12-week half marathon training plan12 weeksWeek 1: 4 runs, 2 h 47 min
See your first week in a few questions
Choose marathon, set the days you can run and what you run now. Your plan starts from there, and every week is planned from the one before.
No card needed. Then $9.99 a month or $59.99 a year.