2026 edition
Berlin Marathon
Connect your start instructions, bib collection and baggage choice with a plan for anyone watching you.
Source check: - Review due; check current organiser instructions.
Enter · prepare · travel · race
Race guides
Turn your race choice into a practical plan. Find the right edition, understand entry and collection rules, organise travel, and share a plan with your supporters.
Start with the task you need to finish
Choosing a race
Use Find my race to narrow your options, then compare courses before making travel commitments.
Preparing to run
Build your training calendar, use the packing checklist, and keep your own tasks in My Season.
Planning the weekend
Compare accommodation areas and race-weekend transport, or plan where to watch Berlin.
Guides by race
Each race page combines its profile with a source-linked guide for the edition shown. Check the edition and review date before using time-sensitive details.
2026 edition
Chicago Marathon
Check your assigned corral and packet collection, then choose where to stay and how to travel through the weekend.
Source check: - Review due; check current organiser instructions.
2027 edition
London Marathon
Understand the 2027 event format and entry options, and identify what still needs confirming before booking your trip.
Source check: - Review due; check current organiser instructions.
2027 edition
Boston Marathon
Understand the qualifying-entry process, application window and the distinction between meeting a standard and securing a place.
Source check: - Review due; check current organiser instructions.
2027 edition
Tokyo Marathon
Start with the current edition, entry and collection requirements, then plan the journey from registration to race morning.
Source check:
2026 edition
Berlin 5K
Check the separate 5K date, collection arrangements and participation rules when planning a Berlin race weekend.
Source check: - Review due; check current organiser instructions.
Course guides: turn the route into a plan
Understand where the course changes, which markers matter, and how the route affects your pacing and preparation.
Boston Marathon course
Hopkinton to Boylston Street, the Newton hills, Heartbreak Hill and the difference between net downhill and an easy course.
Berlin Marathon course
Course landmarks, flat-course pacing, official markers and the finish beyond Brandenburg Gate.
London Marathon course
Blackheath to The Mall, early downhill running, Tower Bridge and the final miles, with the available map edition made clear.
Chicago Marathon course
Turn the neighbourhood route, official distance markers and final approach to Grant Park into a practical race plan.
New York Marathon course
Five boroughs, bridge climbs, late-race hills and the decisions that matter on the way to Central Park.
Entry guides: choose the right route in
Check the race year, eligibility, application status and payment conditions before making a commitment.
Boston qualifying times
Check the current qualifying standards, selection process and application rules.
London Marathon entry
Ballot and charity routes, allocated race days and the 2027 double.
Berlin Marathon entry
Lottery, team and alternative entry routes, with the race year and unannounced windows made clear.
Chicago Marathon entry
Understand drawing, guaranteed and charity routes, and distinguish remaining places from future applications.
New York Marathon entry
Compare the drawing, time qualification, 9+1, charity and international tour routes.
Tokyo Marathon entry
Check general entry, member and charity routes, results and payment deadlines in Japan Standard Time.
Where to stay and race-weekend travel
Choose an accommodation area around your start journey, bib collection and finish. Use current quotes and official transport instructions before booking.
London: where to stay and travel
Choose an area around your allocated day, start journey and expected finish arrangements.
Boston: where to stay and travel
Balance Boston Common transport, bib collection and the finish in Back Bay.
New York: where to stay and travel
Compare areas through official start transport, bib collection and the Central Park finish.
Chicago: where to stay and travel
Compare accommodation areas, airport rail, expo journeys and the Grant Park finish.
Tokyo: where to stay and travel
Plan accommodation around the Shinjuku start, Tokyo Station finish and bib collection.
Plan your finish time and splits
Choose a distance, compare finish targets and build a plan to print or share.
Make a plan around your own entry
Your registration can determine the day you run, the entrance you use, the time your corral closes and the baggage service available to you. Save those personal instructions beside the public race guide. A general start time is not a substitute for your own arrival deadline.
Work through collection, start access and the finish in that order. In-person collection can affect when you must arrive in the city; a restricted start area can affect where supporters should go; and the finish exit can change which station or meeting point is practical.
Build your weekend budget from actual travel and accommodation quotes. The true-cost calculator provides a rough race comparison using its UK-origin travel and accommodation model. Keep entry fees, fundraising commitments and booking conditions separate so you can see what you are committing to.
Sources and changing arrangements
RaceIndex guides link to the organiser and transport sources behind their factual details. Guide sections show when information was checked and flag a review when it becomes due. Individual instructions and newly issued organiser guidance may be more specific than a public summary.
Read how RaceIndex handles sources and calculations, or report a correction if something has changed.