BMW BERLIN-MARATHON

Gold for Berlin: The BMW BERLIN MARATHON achieves the gold standard set by Athletics for a Better World

‘Athletics For a Better World’ Gold Seal over a photo of the marathon start, taken from the Victory Column.
Start of the 2025 BMW Berlin Marathon © SCC EVENTS / Sportografen

Sustainability at the BMW BERLIN MARATHON pays off

With 97 out of a possible 120 points, the BMW BERLIN MARATHON has achieved Gold Level under the international sustainability standard “Athletics for a Better World” set by World Athletics, the global governing body for athletics. This represents an improvement on last year’s Silver status and sends a clear signal that SCC EVENTS’ commitment extends far beyond the finish line.

What is the Athletics for a Better World standard?

Since 2024, World Athletics has required all licensed events – including the BMW BERLIN MARATHON and the GENERALI BERLIN HALF MARATHON – to meet minimum sustainability requirements. To this end, the Athletics for a Better World Standard was introduced, covering six key areas:

  1. Leadership 
  2. Sustainable Production and Consumption 
  3. Climate Change and Carbon (Climate Change and Emissions)
  4. Local Environment and Air Quality 
  5. Global Equality 
  6. Diversity, Accessibility and Wellbeing

In total, there are 55 areas of focus across these six categories, in which up to 120 points can be awarded. Depending on the score achieved, events are classified into five tiers – from “Recognised” (40 points or more) to “Platinum” (108 points or more).

The BMW BERLIN MARATHON scored 97 points in the current assessment cycle, thereby achieving Gold level (from 96 points / 80%).

Sustainability as a long-distance run

Achieving the Gold Standard is no coincidence, but the result of continuous work – from recycling efforts along the route and measures for low-emission mobility to the promotion of inclusion. Anyone who has experienced the BMW BERLIN MARATHON’s sustainability measures first-hand knows that here, sustainability is not just talked about, but actively practised.

All certified events and their current status can be viewed on the World Athletics website.

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