|
|
|
PRESS RELEASE FROM 27.09.2024
|
|
|
|
Top races expected at the 50th BMW BERLIN-MARATHON
|
|
|
|
- Fast men's race expected
- Top wheelchair racers in the field
- BERLIN-LEGENDS with plenty of emotion
- Charity aspect: Berlin City Mission
The stage is set for the anniversary race on Sunday: the 50th edition of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON which has attracted a record entry of 58,212 runners from 161 countries while also offering celebratory elite fields of top quality. World Class times can be expected yet again in a men’s race of high quality. The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON is the major running event in the German-speaking world and one of the top events around the globe. The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON has crowned only three men’s champions since 2015: Eliud Kipchoge has claimed four titles including two world records while Kenenisa Bekele twice won the race and his Ethiopian compatriot Guye Adola also triumphed on one occasion. The anniversary race this Sunday is destined to proclaim a different winner to these famous names. This time the group of potential winners is bigger which should make for an exciting contest. As many as 14 runners have personal best times of under 2:06. In this respect, this is the highest quality men’s field in the history of the event.
BERLIN LEGENDS: Takahashi, Tergat, Mikitenko, Assefa
Four exceptional athletes were presented at the press conference in the Hotel Intercontinental whose performances have stamped their authority on the history of the BMW BERIN-MARATHON. in 2001 Naoko Takahashi achieved perhaps the high point in the race’s history when the Japanese ran 2:19:46 to become the first woman to break 2:20. “It felt as if I had achieved something impossible for humanity. This marathon changed my life,” reflected Naoko Takahashi. Paul Tergat also broke through a time barrier in Berlin as the Kenyan became the first man to go under 2:05 with his time of 2:04:55 in 2003. “I shall always remember Berlin as a great piece of history in my life. We set the bar for the next generation of runners. These days I try to give something back to the sport,” said Tergat. “I made my debut in Berlin and became a marathon runner here, Berlin is really the perfect venue for anyone to make their marathon debut,” explained Irina Mikitenko who won the women’s title in 200 with 2:19:19 which remains the German record. “Before this, 2:20 seemed a long way off but now the very best are running 2:11 – that was unimaginable at the time.” Tigst Assefa is the athlete in the latter category who ran 2:11:53 to send the world record into another dimension. “At the time I surprised myself but knew I had trained for it. Next year I hope to run in Berlin again and again write a page in running history,” said the Ethiopian, who won a silver medal in the Olympic Marathon in Paris this August.
Five Athletes have run faster than 2:05
The 50th BMW BERLIN-MARATHON has five athletes who have broken 2:05 in their careers so far. Last year’s third placer Tadese Takele returns to Berlin following his 2:03:24 here which makes him the fastest on the start list but had not competed internationally since: “I’ve been injured but am fit now,” explained the Ethiopian. “I’ve trained very well and expect to run a strong race.” The Kenyan pair of Cybrian Kotut (2:04:34) and Kibiwott Kandie (2:04:48) as well as the Ethiopian duo of Hailemaryam Kiros (2:04:41) and Bazezew Asmare (2:04:57) are also competitors to be reckoned with in terms of top honours. As the former world record holder in the half marathon, Kibiwott Kandie has great potential. His world record performance at the shorter distance of 57:32 is a strong indication that the 28-year-old could become one of the fastest marathon runners of all time. The Kenyan had to miss the preview press conference because of a delayed flight but his fellow Kenyan and world record breaker on this Berlin course, Paul Tergat, praised Kibiwott’s quality: “I know him well because he lives in my area. He has great potential and is still relatively young. Berlin is a very fast course. I hope he will run well.”In terms of possible surprise winners, two names spring to mind: Samwel Mailu and Stephen Kiprop, both from Kenya. Last year Mailu destroyed the course record for the Vienna City Marathon with 2:05:08. Injury prevented the 2023 World Half Marathon bronze medallist from running a spring marathon this year. Kiprop was a clear winner of the Daegu Marathon in South Korea this year with a personal best of 2:07:04. “I had injuries for several years but am now healthy and have been able to train properly,” said Stephen Kiprop, whose half marathon best is 58:42.Hendrik Pfeiffer leads a strong group of German runners on home territory, coming off an outstanding performance for third place in Houston in January with a personal best of 2:07:14. This made him the fourth fastest German man of all time for the event. “I’ve prepared very well and want to try to bring my time down to around 2:06,” said Pfeiffer. The German contingent also includes Filimon Abraham (2:08:22), Haftom Welday (2:08:24), Sebastian Hendel (2:08:51) and Johannes Motschmann (2:10:39). Never before has a quartet of German men with best times of under 2:09 run the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON.
Wheelchair Racers: Marcel Hug chases win number nine in Berlin
The clear favourite in a high quality wheelchair event should be Marcel Hug. One of Switzerland’s outstanding performers is currently the dominant racer in the marathon internationally. The 38-year-old has won Berlin eight times: “I’m very much looking forward to the 50th anniversary BMW BERLIN-MARATHON – it’s a special race for me.” Hug won last year for a hat-trick of consecutive victories. Among Marcel Hug’s rivals should be David Weir from Britain and Jetze Plat of the Netherlands. The latter has several wins in the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON’s Handbike event to his credit.The women’s race looks to be a contest between the Swiss duo, Catherine Debrunner and Manuela Schär. The latter has won the title in Berlin six times already. “I made my marathon debut in Berlin so this race has special significance for me. The field is strong and I’m looking forward to a fast race,” said Catherine Debrunner. Manuela Schär reflected on Berlin’s status for the elite wheelchair racers: “Berlin has a very strong status. I’m very much looking forward to the flat and fast course – it’s all about speed here and that’s what makes our sport special.” While the Swiss pair are expected to contest the top honours, Germany’s Merle Menje might well be prominent up front in addition.
Charity Aspect: Berlin City Mission raises funds for clothes
Charity fund raising has long played an important role in the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON. Connected with this is the Berlin City Mission. “The Berlin City Mission is delighted to be involved with the 50th BMW BERLIN-MARATHON with the themes of “Love Thy Neighbour” and Sustainability. As in previous years, we want, with the help of many volunteer helpers, to collect clothing in good condition for charity. We are asking all runners when they register at the EXPO at Tempelhof airport to help us by donating used but serviceable shoes which can be worn by homeless people in our shelters. We thank both SCC EVENTS and all participants for their support,” said Christian Ceconi, head of the Berlin City Mission.
MOVE programme:
Here you will find an overview of the MOVE programme.
The next media appointments:
28 September 2024
Press conference results inline skating
Time: 15:30
Participants: Winners in inline skating
Venue: Hotel InterContinental, Budapester Str. 2, 10787 Berlin
29 September 2024
Press conference results running
Time: 12:30 pm
Participants: Winners: wheelchair, handbike, running
Venue: Hotel InterContinental, Budapester Str. 2, 10787 Berlin
Read the media guide for the 50th BMW BERLIN-MARATHON here.
Photo download:
Photos in high-resolution quality can be used free of charge for editorial purposes, provided the photo source is cited.
1.) The favoured wheelchair athletes of the 50th BMW BERLIN-MARATHON: Jetze Plat (NED), David Weir (GBR), Marcel Hug (SUI), Manuela Schär (SUI), Merle Menje (GER), Catherine Debrunner (SUI)
Credit: SCC EVENTS/Petko Beier
2.) Top national runners of the 50th BMW BERLIN-MARATHON: Johannes Motschmann, Hendrik Pfeiffer, Haftom Welday
Credit: SCC EVENTS/Petko Beier
3.) Top international runners of the 50th BMW BERLIN-MARATHON: Tadese Takele (ETH) and Stephen Kiprop (KEN)
Credit: SCC EVENTS/Petko Beier
4.) BERLIN LEGENDS at the 50th BMW BERLIN-MARATHON: Naoko Takahashi (JPN), Tigst Assefa (ETH) Paul Tergat (KEN), Irina Mikitenko (GER)
Credit: SCC EVENTS/Petko Beier
|
|
|
|
For questions and further information please contact:
Jochen Schmitz
Team Leader Media Relations & Editorial
SCC EVENTS
Tel. +49-173-9721150
medien@scc-events.com
Robert Fekl
Team Leader Media Relations & Editorial
SCC EVENTS
Tel. +49-178-6829568
medien@scc-events.com
|
|
|
|
|
SCC EVENTS GmbH
Hanns-Braun-Straße/Adlerplatz
14053 Berlin
|
|
|
|
Telefon: 030-301 288 10
Telefax: 030-301 288 20
website
|
|
|
|
Managing Directors: Christian Jost, Jürgen Lock
Register court: AG Charlottenburg
Register number: HRB 20965 B
VAT No.: DE136599588
Responsible for the content according to § 18 Abs. 2 MStV:
Christian Jost, Jürgen Lock
|
|
|
|
|
Facebook
Instagram
