- 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.
CEO Jürgen Lock (right) and Race-Director Mark Milde are looking forward to the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2022 together with the whole SCC EVENTS team -Photo credit: SCC EVENTS/Tilo Wiedensohler (camera4)
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.
| Top 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 |
|
| Top 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 |
|
Website: BMW-Berlin-Marathon.com.
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