How to Watch the 2026 Berlin Marathon

If you’re planning to watch the Berlin Marathon in the U.S. this weekend, there’s one slightly inconvenient detail. The 2026 Berlin Marathon takes place Sunday, September 27, with coverage beginning at 8:30 a.m. in Berlin. That works out to 2:30 a.m. ET on the East Coast, so anyone hoping to catch it live is looking at either a very late night or a very early alarm. Make sure you have your coffee at the ready.How to Watch the 2026 Berlin MarathonU.S. viewers can stream the race live on FloTrack, with coverage beginning at 2:30 a.m. ET. Watching requires a FloTrack subscription, which also gives you access through its website and app on Roku, Fire TV, Google TV, Apple TV, and other supported devices. If staying awake until sunrise isn’t happening, footage will also be archived for subscribers afterward.Race Preview: 2026 Berlin MarathonTigst Assefa gives you a pretty good reason to sacrifice a little sleep. The Ethiopian star returns to the same course where she ran 2:11:53 in 2023, which was the women’s world record at the time, and she’s made clear that she wants another shot at the current mark. Earlier this year, she also lowered the women’s-only world record to 2:15:41 at the London Marathon.Defending champion Rosemary Wanjiru is back as well, carrying a 2:16:14 personal best. Bedatu Hirpa, Dera Dida, and Zeineba Yimer make the women’s elite field even more competitive, following right behind the top two women with all three having run under 2:19.Xinhua News Agency//Getty ImagesTigst Assefa set the then-world record at the 2023 Berlin Marathon.Maddie Meyer//Getty ImagesGabriel Geay of Tanzania is the top seed in the men’s race.On the men’s side, Sabastian Sawe’s withdrawal with an injury leaves a little more room at the front. Among the main contenders listed in the men’s elite field, Gabriel Geay brings a 2:03:00 personal best, with Getaneh Molla, Guye Adola, and Shura Kitata all having broken 2:04. Olympic 10,000-meter champion Selemon Barega isn’t far behind, either, with a 2:05:00 marathon best.Olympian and world champion Kenenisa Bekele, 44, was also supposed to line up, but withdrew from the race on Thursday due to an Achilles injury.Berlin, of course, has a habit of producing very fast marathon times—and apparently a few surprise entrants. Last year, Harry Styles quietly entered under the alias “Sted Sarandos” and ran 2:59:13, breaking three hours in only his second marathon.Whether any unexpected famous faces join in or not, Berlin already has plenty worth waking up for.Find Your Next Running PlaylistSean Abrams was the Senior Editor, Growth and Engagement at Men’s Health. He’s a former hip hop dancer who likes long walks on the beach and large glasses of tequila. You can find his previous work at Maxim, Elite Daily, and AskMen.