Choosing between Berlin Marathon and New York City Marathon? This page puts the essentials side by side — next race date, elevation, typical weather, field size, and entry difficulty — with a short overview of each course below.
The headline differences between both races. Follow each marathon link for the full route map, elevation chart, and entry details.
| Detail | Berlin Marathon | New York City Marathon |
|---|---|---|
| Next race | Sunday, 27 September 2026 at 9:15 am | Sunday, 1 November 2026 at 9:10 am |
| Elevation | Very flat - approx. 74m above sea level. ↑ 73 m · ↓ 79 m · net −6 m | Rolling with bridges - approx. 10m above sea level. ↑ 294 m · ↓ 292 m · net +2 m |
| Typical weather | Mild autumn, ideal for racing | Cool to mild autumn |
| Typical participants | Approximately 48k finishers | Approximately 56k finishers |
| Entry difficulty | Very competitive | Very competitive |
The BMW Berlin Marathon is renowned as one of the world's fastest marathon courses, having hosted more men's marathon world records than any other venue. The flat, straight boulevards take runners past the Brandenburg Gate for a spectacular finish. Elite and recreational runners alike target Berlin for personal bests.
The TCS New York City Marathon is the largest marathon in the world, taking runners through all five boroughs — Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Manhattan. The course crosses five bridges and finishes in Central Park, delivering an unmatched big-city marathon experience.
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