FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Back to old strength: BMW BERLIN-MARATHON
with more than 70,000 participants
- World elite at the start
- Focus on sustainability
- Young people's exercise programmes
- Cosmopolitanism, tolerance and acceptance
The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON is in the starting blocks and is returning to its
former strength. Not only 45,527 runners, 4,153 inline skaters and 142
wheelchair athletes and hand cyclists are expected to take part this
weekend. The youngsters will also set an impressive example for physical
activity - with around 8,000 pupils taking part in the mini-MARATHON and
around 1,500 children in the Bambini Run and KidsSkating. All in all, the
participants come from 157 nations - so the event not only stands for an
exercise-oriented lifestyle. "Cosmopolitanism, tolerance and acceptance are
our core values," emphasises Jürgen Lock in his function as CEO of SCC
EVENTS at today's press conference. He refers to the recent cooperation
with the Alliance against Homophobia as well as the German
Para-Championships in the marathon, which will be held during the event.
"Furthermore, we are very happy about a cooperation with Special Olympics
Germany (SOD), which includes various inclusive participation opportunities
over shortened distances. In addition, for the first time, 20 volunteers
from SOD will be involved in the start/finish area," says the managing
director and adds: "Our self-image is not to act in a separating but in a
including way". One of the best examples of this are the wheelchair
athletes and hand cyclists who have been a natural part of the competitions
for decades.
Focus on sustainability
The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON and SCC EVENTS also take responsibility for social
issues with regard to a sustainable, resource-saving approach to the
environment. A renewed certification according to the EU Eco-Management and
Audit Scheme (EMAS) is currently in the final stages of examination. The
organiser also cooperates with the world’s leading independent conservation
organisation WWF. "Our aim is to continue to develop standards that are
transferable to major sporting events," says Jürgen Lock, referring to the
free public transport (BVG) ticket for all participants, which is valid for
the first time this year on all event days from Thursday to Sunday. The
BVG, for its part, will increase the frequency and capacity during peak
hours on the marathon weekend. At the same time, the topics of waste
avoidance, separation and recycling are of great importance. Drinking cups
made of recycled material will be used as well as refill stations for
drinking systems. After use, the heat foils made from recycled material are
pressed in the company's own baling press directly on site and made
available to the manufacturer as raw material for new foils. "Clothes
discarded before the start are also collected and handed over to the
charity organisation Berliner Stadtmission," Lock lists another example.
Getting the next generation moving
Getting children excited about sport and exercise at an early age is an
important concern at SCC EVENTS. A total of around 9,500 pupils will take
part in the mini-MARATHON on Saturday, as well as in the Bambini Run and
KidsSkating. The Fridolin Flink children's book, which was presented on
Sunday evening at the traditional literature marathon, also demonstrates
the commitment to young people.Another highlight in the supporting
programme is the "Meet the Legends". On Friday evening at 6 pm, the top
stars of the runners will introduce themselves to the public at the
Brandenburg Gate. In addition, three athletes will be inducted into the
Hall of Fame: 20-time winner in the wheelchair Heinz Frei, 2008 winner
Irina Mikitenko and Bart Swings, seven-time winner of the inline marathon,
course record holder and Olympic champion in speed skating.
GENERALI Breakfast Run at a new location
The GENERALI Breakfast Run with around 10,000 participants on Saturday
morning (September 24) is the kick-off run and will take place at the
former Tempelhof Airport, where the MARATHON EXPO will be held from
Thursday onwards. Around 120,000 trade fair visitors are expected. There,
the GREEN LINE stand will provide exciting information on environmental
topics. By the way, after this year's sporting challenges, there will
finally be time to party again: On both Saturday and Sunday evening there
will be an After Race Party at the Metropol on Nollendorfplatz.
Top class race expected
Berlin is considered the world's fastest marathon course and the perfect
place for world record times. The star line-up is accordingly high: double
Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge (KEN) and the winner of the BMW BERLIN
MARATHON 2021 Guye Adola (ETH) will start in the German capital. The field
of top female runners is just as high-class with the American Keira D'Amato
and Guteni Shone Imana (ETH). From a German perspective, the participation
of Johannes Motschmann can be announced. He celebrated the biggest success
in his career so far at this year's European Championships, winning the
silver medal in the marathon team classification. (You can find out more
about the top fields at the press conferences on Thursday and Friday, see
below).
Tops men:
Eliud Kipchoge KEN 2:01:39
Guye Adola ETH 2:03:46
Ghirmay Ghebreslassie ERI 2:05:34
Dejene Debela ETH 2:05:46
Mark Korir KEN 2:05:49
Ashenafi Moges ETH 2:06:12
Tadu Abate ETH 2:06:13
Bethwel Yegon KEN 2:06:14
Awet Habte ERI 2:06:25
Ryu Takaku JPN 2:06:45
Tops women:
Keira D'Amato USA 2:19:12
Guteni Shone Imana ETH 2:20:11
Maurine Chepkemoi KEN 2:20:18
Workenesh Edesa ETH 2:20:24
Sisay Meseret Gola ETH 2:20:50
Vibian Chepkirui KEN 2:20:59
Tigist Abayechew ETH 2:22:45
Bekelech Gudeta ETH 2:22:56
Sayaka Sato JPN 2:23:27
Risper Chebet KEN 2:23:45
###
|
