Running through Berlin’s main boulevard, Unter Den Linden, many visitors are amazed by the city’s historic baroque architecture. This stretch of Berlin is truly beautiful but there is so much more on offer, whether it be UNESCO world heritage sights, gritty urban landscapes or the natural beauty of forests and rivers. This guide to running in Berlin reveals all.
Arriving in Berlin a few years ago, I was so excited about discovering new neighborhoods, new sights, new parks – new everything! Every corner I turned opened my eyes, from baroque style Bebelplatz to the contrasting communist Alexanderplatz, I could not believe these 2 public squares could exist within the same city! For this reason, Go! Running Tours Berlin was born – to show visitors everything I discovered running in Berlin.
Here, we will uncover:
- Sightrunning Tours in Berlin
- Berlin Running Races
- Berlin Running Routes
- Berlin Running Clubs
- Berlin Running Stores
- Berlin Running Climate
Sightrunning Tours in Berlin
When designing each route and theme for Go! Running Tours Berlin my aim was to offer different stories and running experiences for all levels of runner.
For those looking to see the main sights like the Reichstag or Museum Island but were a little short on time or those who are new to the running scene, the ideal tour has to be Heart of Berlin 10km. Our guests get to experience the story of Berlin from its humble beginnings as a fishing village in the 13th century, to Berlin’s age of enlightenment in the 18th century and turbulent 20th century. For those looking for much more and want to see ALL of Berlin, East and West, I’ve created the East to West Berlin XL 24km tour. West Berlin is packed full of sights as well, such as the main boulevard Kudamm and Charlottenburg Palace. This run is for those who have solid experience doing long distances such as the marathon. Both tours are full of nature, such as Tiergarten and the River Spree.
There is a curiosity among visitors to Berlin as to how life was in the communist East. The Beyond the Wall 10km tour answers this and passes communist sights such as the Fernsehturm, Checkpoint Charlie, Karl Marx Allee and the Berlin Wall. This is ideal for lovers of modern history and all levels of runner.
History is not your thing? Then I recommend the Sensational Street Art 12km tour. Berlin is a street art mecca in Europe and demands to be seen. Modern street artists have come from all over to express their art on their version of a blank canvass – Berlin’s walls!
Berlin Running Races
Berlin Marathon
No list can be complete without the Berlin Marathon! Such is its popularity, every year over 40,000 participants toe the line! The route passes all the main sights such as the Victory Monument and Brandenburg Gate. In 2018 Eliud Kipchoge broke the world marathon record here in 2 hours 1 minute 39 seconds! This year the marathon takes place on September 29th.
Grunewald Marathon
For those who love the marathon distance but would like something different, I recommend the Grunewald marathon. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, participants are rewarded with a local marathon that loops twice around Grunewald Forest. Organized by local athletics club SCB Berlin, there is a nice local atmosphere away from the mass crowds. Ran every November.
For a complete guide to running races in Berlin, both competitive and fun, please see my blog post on Running Races in Berlin 2019.
Berlin Running Routes
Alexanderplatz to Volkspark Friedrichshain – Our route takes us from the iconic Alexanderplatz and out of the center to the peaceful Volkspark Friedrichshain. Here we are greeted with beautiful ornate statues before looping past 2 hills. 1 lap of the 800m path at the back of the park brings us on a return journey to Alexanderplatz. Route length 5.81km
Brandenburg Gate and Parks – This route mixes a little bit of everything, city sights like the futuristic Potsdamer Platz and south of that Gleisdreieck Park. Explore the Landwehr canal and finish off through Tiergarten, passing the Reichstag. Route Length 10km.
Berlin Running Clubs
SCB Berlin – My favorite club in Berlin, so much so that I’m a member! Located in West Berlin, SCB has a great mix of members from Germany and all over. Whether training for a local 5km or even a marathon, coach Egidijus Pranckus will be there to help. In addition to being a great local club, they also organize races such as the Grunewald Marathon and Teufelsberg Run.
Berlin Social Runners – For those who prefer the casual meetup of a social run rather than structured training in athletics clubs. Berlin Social Runners have regular get-togethers including the weekly Saturday Tiergarten run. Why not give it a go?!
Berlin Braves – This is not a traditional running club but as they themselves say a “microcosm of our city’s dynamic and international community” with a “progressive approach towards athletics and urban sports”. If Running Cru’s are more your thing then definitely check these guys out when in Berlin.
Berlin Running Stores
Lang und Laufladen – I regularly visit here for my running knick-knacks. Located in West Berlin this shop is totally geared towards the running community and is worth the trip to West Berlin.
Long Distance – Located right beside the runners’ paradise that is Tiergarten, Long Distance is a small store well known around the Berlin running community. So grab a new pair of shoes and start running immediately into Tiergarten!
Spreelaufer – Located in the hip neighbourhood of Prenzlauer Berg in East Berlin is Spreelaufer. With fantastic service and a good selection of shoes and apparel, Spreelaufer is worth a visit. So why not discover the café culture of Prenzlauer Berg and also grab a new pair of running shoes?!
Berlin Running Climate
Berlin is ideal all year round for running. Summertime is best with temperatures between 20 and 30 degrees so remember to bring some water and sunscreen with you. Winter, on the other hand, can vary between 0 and -10 degrees. Be sure to have running gloves, tights, jacket, and hat! During all seasons it can occasionally rain so a rain top is advisable.
Thanks for reading and happy running,
City Manager of Go! Running Tours Berlin
