A great weekend of popular and top-class sports is just around the corner: More than 60,000 participants from 156 nations will take part in the various competitions of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON in the German capital on September 23 and 24.
- 47,912 runners
- 4,523 inline skaters
- 95 handbikers and 61 wheelchair athletes
- More than 9,200 students, about 1,200 children
In this context, SCC EVENTS as the organizer attaches particular importance to setting an example for young people and sustainability with the event. "The topic of lack of exercise is on everyone's lips. We want to show that exercise is fun. We want to motivate people and get them excited about an active lifestyle," explains Jürgen Lock (CEO of SCC EVENTS) during today's round table with invited journalists: "At the same time, it's always important to emphasize that even a marathon time of five hours or more is a great achievement."
New junior series R5K with grand finale in Berlin
SCC EVENTS is also particularly committed to young athletes, who will find great starting opportunities on Saturday in the mini-marathon and the bambini runs as well as the new format R5K. With the R5K, SCC EVENTS, together with the German Athletics Association (DLV), German Road Races (GRR) and other organizers, has initiated a new series for young athletes, which is specifically designed to promote talent between the ages of 12 and 22. After three stops, the finale will be held in Berlin on Saturday afternoon. "Junior races often take place in empty stadiums. We want to give the young talents visibility, so we deliberately integrated the races into big events," says Lock: "Five kilometers is the perfect distance for these age groups, and a series like this offers the opportunity to see your own improvement in times."
Shoe and clothing donations for the Berlin City Mission
From the use of reusable cups, refill stations for self-carried drinking systems, recycled cups and organic bananas to the baling press for heat foils and the included BVG ticket for all participants - as an EMAS-certified event, ecological responsibility has long played a central role at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON. With Michael Fuchs, SCC EVENTS has added a sustainability manager to its nearly 90-strong team this year. "We take a holistic approach to the topic of sustainability," emphasizes Fuchs and in this context also points to the cooperation with the Berlin City Mission. "All participants are expressly encouraged to donate well-preserved running shoes, hoodies, sweatpants & Co. to the Berliner Stadtmission, which will then be distributed to those in need via the clothing store." If you want to learn more about sustainability, visit the Green Line booth at the EXPO.
Supporting pillars and exciting races
The supporting pillars of the event include a sophisticated safety concept with the Berlin Fire Department, the medical service of the Johanniter Unfallhilfe, the Berlin Police and the Sports & Medicine department of SCC EVENTS. The police will also be hosting the German Marathon Championships for the first time as part of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, with 150 participants. Race Director Mark Milde reported that the fast course is perfectly prepared. Exciting races are to be expected in all competitions, from the skaters to the hand cyclists and wheelchair athletes, and of course the runners. For the national athletes, the Olympic qualification is in the foreground and the start of Amanal Petros as well as Rabea and Deborah Schöneborn (all Marathon Team Berlin). Internationally, Eliud Kipchoge and Amos Kipruto as well as Tigst Assefa and Sheila Chepkirui are expected to set course records and more. More details about the top sporting events will be revealed on Thursday and Friday during the press conferences (see below for dates).
Eurosport 1 and RBB broadcast on TV
The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON will be shown this year on Eurosport 1 (Free-TV Germany, Austria), from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on TV as well as via Livestream on discovery+ (Germany and Austria). From 12.00 to 14.30 the RBB will broadcast the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON. Click here for a list of all national and international TV broadcasters.