Not your average Berlin Marathon story | Why I Run

Three runners. Three very different journeys. One Berlin Marathon 2026. For Eva, running means learning to trust. This year she took on the Berlin Marathon with partial sight, relying on guide runners every step of the way. Despite years of experience in competitive triathlon and half-marathons, the New York native discovered being a Berlin runner meant training with a guide and never running alone again. Along the way she learned that the finish line of the Berlin Marathon is about more than 42.2 kilometers. It’s about finding her own motivation, even when it means asking for help. For Emily, running became a way back to herself. After becoming a mother to twins, returning to the sport meant finding space to be with herself. Now, she is taking on her first marathon postpartum, balancing motherhood, everyday life and training while learning to enjoy the journey of how to run a marathon when you are a mum. For her, running is about more than pace or performance: “running is good for my soul” she says. And for Biel, running has always meant pushing his limits. Originally from Brazil, he built his life in Berlin around running, from late-night club shifts followed by 20km runs to 100km races, world championships and multi-day endurance challenges. But this time, it’s not about a challenge. His brother, who first inspired him to run, is coming from Brazil to race alongside him. Together, they are running side by side, and this marathon is about sharing an experience that brin