In perfect running weather, participants of the GENERALI 5K as part of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON opened the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2025 race weekend. A total of 10,613 runners took on the final five kilometers leading up to tomorrow’s 42.195 km marathon. Among them were more than 2,000 Berlin locals. The 5K race is designed by organizer SCC EVENTS as a low-threshold entry into running events. The winners were Primoz Kobe (SLO) in 15:06 and Ijke Mourits (NED) in 17:22. Shortly afterwards, athletes of the R5K series competed over the same distance and course.
Grand Finale of the R5K Tour
Christoph Schrick (Königsteiner LV) and Vanessa Mikitenko (SSC Hanau-Rodenbach) won the R5K race in Berlin, thereby securing victory in the U23 overall standings of the race series initiated by the German Athletics Association (DLV) and German Road Races (GRR). The series consisted of five 5K races across Germany (Dresden, Paderborn, Hannover, Hamburg, and the Berlin finale). On the final five kilometers of the original marathon course between Potsdamer Platz and the Brandenburg Gate, Schrick clocked the fastest 5K time ever recorded in the R5K Tour.
With 13:57 minutes, he edged out U20 winner Tristan Kaufhold (SSC Hanau-Rodenbach, 13:58) and U23 runner Jakob Dieterich (Frankfurt Athletics, 14:01). Both Schrick and Kaufhold also secured overall victories in the U23 and U20 categories, earning prize money and a €1,000 grant toward participation in DLV training camps.
For the women, Vanessa Mikitenko celebrated her first victory at the Brandenburg Gate. The U23 European Championships silver medalist over 5,000m triumphed in 15:59 minutes—at the very spot where her mother, Irina Mikitenko, set the still-standing German marathon record (2:19:19) in 2008. Vanessa secured the overall R5K win, while Carlotta Bülck (LG Erlangen) clinched the U20 overall title thanks to earlier victories in Hannover and Hamburg, despite finishing fifth in Berlin (17:40). The Berlin U20 race was won by Luise Brzoska (Eintracht Frankfurt, 16:33) ahead of Franziska Drexler (LG Telis Finanz Regensburg, 16:39), Ada Werner (SCC Berlin, 17:10), and Johanna Ewert (Hannover 96, 17:16).
Events for Kids & Youth
On Saturday, young athletes took part in the mini-MARATHON presented by GENERALI as part of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, the Bambini Run at Mommsenstadion, and Kids Skating. At the mini-MARATHON presented by GENERALI as part of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON alone, more than 10,000 children and teenagers were at the start. With this wide-ranging program, SCC EVENTS provides active opportunities for young people, sending a strong signal for a healthy and active society.
BMW BERLIN-MARATHON Inline Skating
At exactly 12:20 p.m., the starting signal was given for the eagerly awaited BMW BERLIN-MARATHON Inline Skating race. The proven course from last year once again thrilled participants with a real stadium-like atmosphere: cheering zones, live music, and enthusiastic spectators turned the event into a festival of emotions. As always, the start was on Straße des 17. Juni, beneath the gaze of the Victory Column—the “Goldelse,” as Berliners affectionately call it. From there, skaters tackled a five-lap circuit that led past Ernst-Reuter-Platz and Otto-Suhr-Allee to majestic Charlottenburg Palace. After each turnaround, the field regrouped and raced back to the Victory Column, fueled by the crowd’s energy. Following five laps, the grand finale took them past the Landwehr Canal, through Potsdamer Platz, across Gendarmenmarkt, and onto the magnificent boulevard Unter den Linden.
The top three finishers were all French: Ewen Fernandez (59:27) crossed the line first, followed by teammates Beddiaf Nolan and Hugo Gerard (both 1:00:09). For the 36-year-old Fernandez, this was his first major inline competition after six years, during which he stayed fit by cycling, even becoming French amateur champion on road and track before returning to skates this spring. The women’s race ended in a dramatic sprint finish, with Aubane Plouhinec (FRA, 1:16:06) edging out Noraly Berber Vonk (NED, 1:16:06) and Laura Perdomo (COL, 1:16:07). Just behind Perdomo, four more women crossed the line at 1:16:07.
Invitation to Media Date:
Saturday, September 20, 2025
Press Conference – Inline Skating Results
Time: 3:30 PM
Participants: Inline skating winners
Location: Hotel Berlin, Berlin
Sunday, September 21, 2025
Press Conference – Running Results
Time: 12:30 PM
Participants: Winners in wheelchair racing, handbike, and running
Location: Hotel Berlin, Berlin