After an action-packed season of track and field craziness, it’s time for the marathon scene to take center stage with the 2024 Berlin Marathon! This legendary race is set for the last weekend of September, taking place on the lively streets of Berlin, Germany. Since it kicked off back in 1974, the Berlin Marathon has grown into a massive event with all kinds of races covering that epic 42.195 kilometers. We’re talking elite competitions for both men and women, plus races for the public, inline skating, wheelchair racers, and even hand cyclists!

As we gear up for the 50th edition on September 29, it’s wild to think about how this started as a little race in Grunewald forest and has turned into a huge global marathon highlight. This year’s event is gonna be something special, but here’s the scoop: the legend Eliud Kipchoge won’t be racing! That’s a bummer for fans, but it opens the door for some fresh talent to shine. So, who are the strong contenders we should keep an eye on?

Top athletes to watch out at the Berlin Marathon 2024  

So, guess what? It’s not just Eliud Kipchoge who’s sitting out this year’s Berlin Marathon—Kenenisa Bekele is also taking a pass. That means it’s time for Ethiopia’s Tadese Takele to shine! He rocked it last year, finishing third with a killer time of 2:03:24, so you know he’s coming in hot this time. The big showdown is gonna be between him and Kenya’s Ronald Korir, who came in fourth at 2:04. And let’s not sleep on Kibiwott Kandie—the dude used to hold the world record for the half-marathon, so he’s definitely a player to watch!

But that’s not all, folks! Melat Kejeta, the top German runner, is back in the mix! She’s hitting the Berlin streets again after totally wowing everyone in her debut back in 2019, finishing sixth with a time of 2:23:57—that’s still the fastest marathon debut by a German runner, by the way! Kejeta has been on fire lately. In 2021, she snagged sixth place at the Tokyo Olympics and even bagged a silver medal at the World Half Marathon Championships the year before.

After taking a brief break to welcome a baby, she came back swinging, smashing her time down to 2:21:47 in Dubai this year, which got her into the Olympic marathon in Paris this August. Sadly, she had to drop out of that one because of stomach issues. But now, at 31, she’s ready to crush it at the BMW Berlin Marathon! And the lineup just gets better! So here’s how you can catch all the action!

How to watch the Berlin Marathon 2024?

The 2024 Berlin Marathon is all set to kick off at 8:50 am (CEST) with the iconic Brandenburg Gate as the backdrop. First up, we’ve got the elite runners, then wheelchair athletes follow six minutes later, and hand bikers join the party at 8:59 am. The rest of the runners will get rolling in four waves, depending on the traffic scene. But don’t sweat it if you can’t be there in person, you can still catch every moment from the comfort of your couch!

The race will be broadcast live starting at 8:30 am Central European Time, so you won’t miss a beat. U.S. fans can tune in on FloSports to cheer for their favorite runners. After a wild track and field season, it’s time to switch gears—literally—and focus on those long-distance races where endurance is everything. So grab your snacks, get comfy, and get ready for the marathon madness that’s about to go down in Berlin!