# 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. Page: https://www.createrunplan.com/berlin-marathon-training-plan. Race day: Sunday 26 September 2027 (Berlin, Germany). ## 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' site](https://www.bmw-berlin-marathon.com/en/). ## Week 1 of a sample marathon plan For someone running about 4 h a week now. | Day | Run | Time | | --- | --- | --- | | Monday | Easy run | 30 min | | Tuesday | Hill repeats | 47 min | | Thursday | Easy run + strides | 40 min | | Saturday | Easy run | 35 min | | Sunday | Long run | 90 min | Total: 4 h 2 min. ## Every week to race day A sample marathon plan, not one for this race: a runner’s weeks to race day if every week goes as planned. Yours is planned from your race, your days and what you run now. | Week | Running time | Phase | | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | 4 h 2 min | Build | | 2 | 4 h 24 min | Build | | 3 | 4 h 48 min | Build | | 4 | 5 h 18 min | Build | | 5 | 5 h 18 min | Build | | 6 | 4 h 2 min | Easier | | 7 | 5 h 19 min | Race-specific | | 8 | 5 h 51 min | Race-specific | | 9 | 6 h 19 min | Race-specific | | 10 | 4 h 43 min | Easier | | 11 | 6 h 16 min | Race-specific | | 12 | 6 h 47 min | Race-specific | | 13 | 6 h 58 min | Race-specific | | 14 | 5 h 26 min | Taper | | 15 | 4 h 21 min | Taper | | 16 | 7 h 13 min | Race week | ## 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 plan](https://www.createrunplan.com/london-marathon-training-plan): 24–25 April 2027. - [Boston Marathon training plan](https://www.createrunplan.com/boston-marathon-training-plan): 19 April 2027. - [Paris Marathon training plan](https://www.createrunplan.com/paris-marathon-training-plan): April 2027. - [Chicago Marathon training plan](https://www.createrunplan.com/chicago-marathon-training-plan): 10 October 2027. - [New York City Marathon training plan](https://www.createrunplan.com/new-york-city-marathon-training-plan): 7 November 2027. ## Other plans - [Marathon training plan](https://www.createrunplan.com/marathon-training-plan): 16 weeks. A marathon plan that builds your long run and weekly time from the runs you log, with marathon-pace weeks and a taper before race day. - [Sub-4 hour marathon training plan](https://www.createrunplan.com/sub-4-hour-marathon-training-plan): 16 weeks. Sub-4 means 5:41 per km (9:09 per mile). Your coach plans each week from your current fitness and what you log, with marathon-pace work and a taper. - [12-week half marathon training plan](https://www.createrunplan.com/12-week-half-marathon-training-plan): 12 weeks. Twelve weeks to a half marathon: your coach checks the date fits your running, then plans each week from what you log, with a taper at the end. [All plan guides](https://www.createrunplan.com/examples) ## 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. [Start your 14 free days](https://www.createrunplan.com/start?goal=marathon&days=4): 14 days free, no card, then $9.99 a month or $59.99 a year.