Start of the 1st BERLIN MARATHON (“Berliner Volksmarathon”) in 1974 – Waldschulallee 80 in Berlin-Charlottenburg – Photo: Forum for Sports History Berlin – Marathoneum

Günter Hallas (bib number 37) is not visible in the starting photo of the 1st Berlin People’s Marathon at Waldschulallee 80, but that would soon change, as he quickly moved to the front of the pack. By the 10-kilometer mark, he was in the lead; he mostly ran past the aid stations, commenting, “Don’t waste any time—you have to keep running.” He took a salt tablet with a glass of water (part of the official refreshments in 1974)—and warm broth at the finish line!

He came to running through a roundabout way; as a sixteen-year-old, he wanted to earn the Sports Badge but failed at the 100-meter dash. It wasn’t until he was 18 that he finally earned the Sports Badge, because he was able to switch to the 400 meters. Herbert Pulver, the legendary track and field figure from TSV Siemensstadt at the time, set him on this path. He later trained with Helmut Klafki on Tuesdays and Fridays—on Sundays he participated in fun runs as “Ali,” as his friends also called him because of his somewhat dark complexion. In preparation for the SCC’s 1st Berlin Fun Marathon, he once ran 20–25 km before the marathon, and that was it. “You can easily manage the rest up to 42 km,” was the optimistic prediction for his running debut

Günter Hallas – in full swing – pictured here at another race – Photo: private

101 km in a week – “but only once, and never again.”

In terms of training, he covered 50 kilometers, max. 60 kilometers a week (3–4 times a week, “training sessions of about 10–15 km”). “The SCC members never believed me,” he says. He invited them to train with him all the time, but no one came. Once a week, he ran a total of 101 km – “but only once and never again.”

Günter Hallas was invited to a gathering by the organizer years ago and was asked to bring along some old mementos. “But I’ll have to dig deep and long to find anything left,” was Günter Hallas’s reply over the phone. In fact, Günter Hallas showed up at the gathering with a thick envelope and many mementos of his first victory: newspaper clippings, photos, and, in a plastic bag, the old, worn-out Puma shoes from back then, which are now on display in a showcase at the Berlin Sports Museum – Marathoneum.

(bottom right) – The worn-out PUMA winner’s shoes at the Berlin Sports Museum – Marathoneum – Photo: Gerd Steins, Berlin

“My wife found all of this,” was his brief comment. To his own surprise, the winner’s certificate bearing the organizer’s signature was among the items—“I’m seeing this again for the first time in 29 years.”

There was also a “not quite sharp” photo included. It shows Günter Hallas on the street in front of Mommsenstadion; on the left, his clubmate Dieter Weiß is waving at him, and behind them is a runner from BSV 92.

“That must have been after the first lap; I’m still smiling there,” recalls Günter Hallas, because by the end, there was nothing left to smile about.

There was also a photo that was “not quite in focus.” It shows Günter Hallas on the street in front of Mommsenstadion; on the left, his teammate Dieter Weiß is waving to him, and behind them is a runner from BSV 92.

“That must have been after the first lap; I’m still smiling there,” recalls Günter Hallas, because by the end, there was nothing left to smile about.

Günter Hallas (left) after the first lap at Mommsenstadion—he’s still smiling here!—Photo: private 

Günter Hallas at the refreshment stand at Mommsenstadion after the first lap – excerpt from a Berlin newspaper – Photo: Horst Milde

He wasn’t in the mood to laugh at all during the second lap. Near the Auerbach Tunnel (at the 39 km/40 km mark) on the AVUS, he felt so bad that he leaned against the fence and wanted to quit. A lone spectator encouraged him and then persuaded him to keep going, since his lead over the runner-up was so great: “You can still do it!”

“That can’t be the winner”

Günter Hallas actually did make it, but he can still hear a spectator’s exclamation in his ears today: “That can’t be the winner!” – he crossed the finish line at Mommsenstadion so slowly and exhausted after 2:44:53, ahead of Rudolf Breuer (SV Helios) 2:46:43 – 3. Günter Olbrich (Polizei SV) 2:48:08 – 4. Dieter Daubermann 2:48:40 – 5. Dieter Sickert 2:49:01 and 6. Clifford Lewitz (USA/US Army) 2:49:42.

No one could have guessed at the time that this “1st Berlin People’s Marathon” of 1974 would one day go down in the history books, and surely no one could have imagined that Günter Hallas would be listed among the great champions like Paul Tergat, Haile Gebrselassie, and Eliud Kipchoge.

Günter Hallas has remained faithful to running, despite all the hardships one must endure in a runner’s life. Günter ran not only in Berlin, but also in the Vancouver Marathon—which was his best race abroad—as well as in the New York City Marathon, in Lisbon, and in Hawaii, and at many other events in Germany

Günter Hallas with his likeness at the 2018 BERLIN MARATHON “Hall of Fame” at the Brandenburg Gate – Photo: Horst Milde

He is, of course, a member of the BERLIN MARATHON Jubilee Club. He wears the “permanent” bib number 425 and is a 43-time finisher; his personal best at the BERLIN MARATHON is 2:38:00 – his personal best overall, by the way, is 2:35:00 (though he isn’t entirely sure).

Günter Hallas on the course at the BERLIN MARATHON (right)—with the Jubilee bib on his back as well—Photo: Horst Milde

Günter Hallas, the 1974 champion, is a rugged and seasoned runner of the old school, with his own unique sense of humor and sparkling eyes.

He can serve as a role model for today’s generation of runners, showing how to balance running with work, life, and family—without taking running too seriously.

Pace charts, nutrition and diet tips, training camps, specialized running shoes, running strategies, and scientific preparations for race day—none of that was part of the running world of 1974 and beyond.

On January 26, 2022, he had knee surgery followed by three weeks of rehab. That was probably a one-time occurrence for him—having a period where he couldn’t be out running.

The winners of the 1974 BERLIN MARATHON: Günter Hallas (left) and Jutta von Haase (right) with the founder of the BERLIN MARATHON, Horst Milde (center), at the marathon’s “veterans’ gathering” at the “Eierschale” in Dahlem; on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the BERLIN MARATHON in 2024 – Photo: Gora

Excerpt from the Berlin evening newspaper “Der Abend” (the newspaper no longer exists)—Photo: Horst Milde

The certificate dated October 13, 1974, for winning the 1st BERLIN MARATHON (1st “People’s Marathon”) – Photo: Horst Milde

Seven BERLIN MARATHON winners at the 1998 BERLIN MARATHON Commemorative Run: (from left): Ingo Sensburg (3 wins in 1976, 1979, and 1980), Christin Bochröder (1975), Günter Hallas (1974), Jutta von Haase (1974), and Ralf Bochröder (1975) – Excerpt from the TAGESSPIEGEL – Photo: Horst Milde

Günter Hallas (left) and Bernd Hübner (36-time finisher of the BERLIN MARATHON) – Photo: Horst Milde

Günter Hallas (left) and Wilfried Köhnke (49-time finisher of the BERLIN MARATHON and thus the record holder) – Photo: Alexander von Uleniecki

On the occasion of the presentation of the “World Athletics Heritage Plaque”—the highest honor—by World Athletics in the Palmensaal of the “Rotes Rathaus” to the BERLIN MARATHON, with Horst Milde and the City of Berlin. The winners of the BERLIN MARATHON with Jutta von Haase (far left) 1974 – Günter Hallas (3rd from left) – 1974 winner – Ingo Sensburg (2nd from right) – three-time winner in 1976, 1979, and 1980, and Uta Pippig (far right) – Three-time winner in 1990, 1992, and 1995, and Horst Milde (2nd from left) – Photo: Laura Donath / Berlin Senate Chancellery

Günter Hallas at his final BERLIN MARATHON in 2024, shortly before the finish line – Photo: SCC EVENTS/Sebastian Wells [OSTKREUZ)

Most recently, we met at the 14th Berlin Runners’ Gathering on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at John Kunkeler’s art gallery “Schlot.” It was always a joyful and special moment for me when the 1974 winners Günter Hallas and Jutta von Haase could stand on stage with me.

14th Berlin Runners’ Meeting on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at John Kunkeler’s “Schlot” with Günter Hallas (far left), Nina Sowinski, Wilfried Koenke (far right), and Horst Milde (2nd from left) – Photo:Horst-Dieter Bellack

We will remember Günter Hallas as a beloved fellow human being and runner who gave so much to all of us through his warm and caring nature.

Günter, we will miss you.

Horst Milde with information from Bernd Kunze (LG Nord Berlin)