BRITA Group is entering into a multi–year partnership with the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, becoming a co-sponsor of the race from 2026. The partnership, which includes a role as a partner of the marathon expo, aims to increase the sustainability of the event organised by SCC Events.
Based in Taunusstein, Germany, BRITA is a family-owned company and an international leader in drinking water optimisation. Founded in 1966, the firm generated revenues of €727 million in its 2024 financial year and employs more than 2,400 people globally.
Through this new agreement, the company is looking to reduce the number of plastic cups used by athletes. BRITA will install enhanced refill stations along the course to allow runners to refill their own packs, bottles, and belts. Together with SCC Events, the company will also measure and assess the total volume of water refilled during the race.
The sustainability efforts extend off the course to the marathon expo, where visitors will be offered free filtered drinking water for the first time. The initiative is designed to reduce the demand for single-use plastic bottles at the event.
Markus Hankammer, CEO of the BRITA Group said “We are proud to become a partner of the BMW Berlin Marathon. Together, we want to make the event more sustainable and show how BRITA brings responsibility and a modern drinking-water lifestyle into the running world.”
BRITA has previously implemented similar sustainable hydration strategies in other sports. In a partnership with LTA Tennis in Great Britain, the company utilised refill stations to save nearly 500,000 plastic bottles.
To begin the marathon season, the company is launching a challenge on Strava this month. The ‘BRITA – OWN YOUR CLARITY Challenge’ requires participants to run a total of 42km during April 2026. Those who complete the distance will have the chance to win one of ten race entries for the BMW Berlin Marathon, or one of ten limited-edition Strava x BRITA LARQ Essential bottles.
The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON is among the largest and fastest races in the world. In the 2025 season, the event hosted more than 55,000 runners from 160 nations, alongside 120,000 visitors at the expo and over one million spectators.
Maren Huth, Vice President Global Brand Strategy at BRITA said “Running is a perfect fit for our brand. It is simple, honest, and accessible – just like water. And that is exactly what makes it so powerful. With the BMW Berlin Marathon, we want to make sustainable hydration a natural part of the running experience: less waste, more responsibility – and a better experience for athletes and fans alike.”
Christian Jost, Managing Director at SCC Events said “The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON connects people from all over the world – while also standing for responsibility towards the environment and society. With BRITA, we have a partner at our side who shares our values and, together with us, is setting new standards for sustainable hydration in running.”
BRITA currently operates in 70 countries through 27 subsidiaries and partners, with production sites in Germany, Great Britain, Italy, and China. The company reports that its products helped save 6.1 billion single-use plastic bottles internationally in 2025.
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