FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Return of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON on Sunday
as the world's largest marathon since the beginning of the pandemic
- World's largest marathon since pandemic began
- A race for the history books
- Emotions, safety and joy
- Signs of cosmopolitanism, tolerance and acceptance expected
In recent months, heads have often turned towards Berlin. Lighthouse
running events like the adidas Runners City Night and the GENERALI BERLIN
HALF MARATHON by organizer SCC EVENTS attracted interest. But this week all
that will be surpassed by far. All eyes of the (sports-) world are focused
on the German capital, where next weekend's #restartunning will celebrate
the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON as the world's biggest marathon since the pandemic
began. Once again, sports history will be made on the Spree, that's for
sure - even before the starting gun goes off.
How important the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON is as an emotional input for the
entire society was emphasized by Jürgen Lock in his function as managing
director of SCC EVENTS at today's press conference to kick off the marathon
week. "Months ago, we already set ourselves the challenge of organizing a
safely BMW BERLIN-MARATHON in the fall of 2021. We have managed to do that.
This race has great significance. We want to see the community running and
laughing again."
After months of deprivation and social distance, SCC EVENTS is setting a
crucial milestone with the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON. Through sport, people
regain confidence and trust, and inhibitions are reduced. Basic values such
as openness to the world, tolerance and acceptance can finally be lived
again. On the way back to normality, society needs precisely these
emotions. But Lock also emphasized quite clearly that the steps to get here
were not easy. The circumstances of the pandemic, including short-time
work, presented hurdles for SCC EVENTS, which were mastered in the
company's own team and through dialog with external specialists. In this
way, SCC EVENTS also developed the sophisticated hygiene concept on which
the event was ultimately based, allowing for a safe BMW BERLIN-MARATHON. "A
very good, trusting cooperation with the city, especially with the Senate
Department for the Interior and Sport, made it possible for us to start
this weekend," explained Jürgen Lock, who also thanked all partners and
other Berlin authorities. The Berlin hygiene concept of SCC EVENTS is based
on the "Three Gs": Anyone who goes to the start must either be vaccinated,
recovered or tested negative by PCR test and provide proof of this.
Spectators along the course are requested to keep their distance and to
wear a mouth-nose protection.
With regard to the federal and parliamentary elections, the organizer sees
no problems after months of coordination processes with the institutions.
More than 30 additional crossings will allow access to the polling stations
located along the route (this already proved successful four years ago when
elections and the marathon were also held at the same time). More details
can be found on the interactive map. The point of sustainability, which is
becoming increasingly important for SCC EVENTS, was also addressed during
the press conference. The relatively fresh cooperation with the WWF and the
hydratiom system project initiated for the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON make the
previous environmental protection measures even more effective. The
cooperation with the environmental management EMAS will be continued.
The RUN FOR JOY campaign underlines the high emotional standard of the
first race of the AWMM series after the beginning of the pandemic. It
offers participants and the entire community various opportunities to
experience the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON in all its facets, to participate and
enjoy it with joy.
The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON not only attracts an incredible amount of interest
from the press, with currently around 500 accredited media representatives,
but also from amateur and professional athletes. About 25,000 participants
are expected at the starting line on race Sunday (about 2,800 skaters on
Saturday), among them absolute top-class athletes of the running scene,
when it is said: "The long-awaited restart of running together. Of course,
safely!"
The Ethiopian superstar Kenenisa Bekele heads the men’s entry while his
compatriot Hiwot Gebrekidan is an equally strong contender for the women’s
title. If Kenenisa Bekele can summon similar form to that which he showed
on the streets of Berlin two years ago when he came within two seconds of
the world record with his time of 2:01:41, a very fast and dramatic title
defence should be in prospect. The women’s race also offers potential for a
top time, given the presence of Hiwot Gebrekidan in Berlin, who has run the
fastest women’s marathon in the world this year in taking the Milan title
with a personal best of 2:19:35. Good strength in depth is also a keynote
of both elite fields: the men feature a dozen runners with personal bests
of sub-2:07 while the women’s field shows five who have run under 2:25 and
another four sub-2:30. Two of Germany’s leading marathoners will be
competing on Sunday: Philipp Pflieger and Rabea Schöneborn, the latter
competing in her home city.
The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON forms the Abbott World Marathon Majors series
together with the races in Boston, Chicago, London, New York and Tokyo. It
is Germany’s biggest and most spectacular road race. The BMW
BERLIN-MARATHON will take place under strict hygiene rules after the 2020
edition had to be cancelled because of the Corona pandemic. Given the
continuing conditions imposed by the pandemic, the number of starters for
this year has been considerably reduced. Two years ago the BMW
BERLIN-MARATHON registered a record 43,987 finishers who ran through the
Brandenburg Gate to the finish line. This year around 25,000 runners are
expected to compete. This number would make the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON the
biggest marathon worldwide since the Corona pandemic began.
The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON has an unparalleled history in terms of the eleven
world records broken on its course. Marathon landmarks in history have been
achieved here, firstly in 2001 when Japan’s Olympic champion Naoko
Takahashi ran 2:19:46 to become the first woman to break 2:20; then two
years later when Paul Tergat became the first man to break 2:05 when the
Kenyan won in 2:04:55. The current men’s world record was also set at the
BMW BERLIN-MARATHON when Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya ran 2:01:39.
Women
Surname Lastname Nationality PB
Hiwot Gebrekidan ETH 2:19:35
Shure Demise ETH 2:20:59
Ruth Chebitok KEN 2:23:29
Bethelhem Moges ETH 2:23:38
Fancy Chemutai KEN 2:24:27
Men
Surname Lastname Nationality PB
Kenenisa Bekele ETH 2:01:41
Guye Adola ETH 2:03:36
Philemon Kacheran KEN 2:06:05
Festus Talam KEN 2:06:13
Tadu Abate ETH 2:06:13
Event week schedule of the 2021 BMW BERLIN-MARATHON
Press conference presentation Elite athletes Part 1
- Date: September 23, 2021
- Clock: ca. 11.00 a.m.
- Participants: Elite women (Hiwot Gebrekidan [ETH], Shure Demise
[ETH], Rabea Schöneborn), Pascal Briand, Jason Suttels, Doucelin Pédicone,
Jürgen Lock (CEO SCC EVENTS), Mark Milde (Race Director)
- Topics: Hygiencal concept, Start of the EXPO, Outlook for the BMW
BERLIN-MARATHON weekend, Presentation of the Elite runners (women) and
Elite Inline skater, general topics
- Place: Hotel InterContinental, Room "Pavillon"
MARATHON EXPO
- Date: from September 23 to September 25, 2021
- Clock: from 3.30 p.m. (Sept 23) / other Opening hours here
- Topics: All participants pick up their race kits in person at the
EXPO; participants who have not been vaccinated against Covid19 or
recovered from the disease receive the mandatory pre-race PCR test there;
information from national and international exhibitors about lifestyle,
sports, wellness, health and nutrition; official collection of the BMW
BERLIN MARATHON
- Place: former airport Tempelhof; Platz der Luftbrücke 5, 12101 Berlin
Press conference Elite athletes Part 2
- Date: September 24, 2021
- Clock: 11.00 a.m.
- Participants: Elite runners men (Kenenisa Bekele [ETH], Guye Adola
[ETH], Philipp Pflieger), Manuela Schär, Merle Menje, Marcel Hug, Daniel
Romanchuk Jürgen Lock (CEO SCC EVENTS), Mark Milde (Race Director)
- Topics: Hygiencal concept, EXPO, Outlook for the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON
weekend, Presentation of the Elite runners (men) and Elite wheelchair
athletes and handbiker, general topics, wheather forecast
- Place: Hotel InterContinental, Room "Pavillon"
BMW BERLIN-MARATHON Inline skating 2021
- Date: September 25, 2021
- Clock: 3.30 p.m.
- Topic: Start
- Place: Straße des 17. Juni
Press conference winner Inline skating
- Date: September 25, 2021
- Clock: ca. 6.30 p.m.
- Participants: Winner of the 2021 BMW BERLIN-MARATHON Inline skating
- Place: Hotel InterContinental, Room "Pavillon"
BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2021
- Date: September 26, 2021
- Clock: first start 8.50 a.m. (more starting times)
- Topic: Start
- Place: Straße des 17. Juni
Press conference Winner Running, wheelchair competition and handbikers
- Date: September 26, 2021
- Clock: ca. 12.30 p.m.
- Participants: Winner of the 2021 BMW BERLIN-MARATHON (Running,
wheelchair, handbike)
- Place: Hotel InterContinental, Room "Pavillon"
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