Bewags huge banner of the BERLIN-MARATHON „starts“ in New York – „United We Run in New York“ – By Horst Milde

The huge banner which at the start of this years BERLIN-MARATHON on September 30 referred in a very particular manner to the current political situation in the world will go on a trip. In a way similar to that in Berlin, it will be draped over the athletes participating in the New York City Marathon on November 4, 2001 and send out a political signal to the world at large.

The huge banner has a size of about 25 x 40 meters. It bears the logo of the BERLIN-MARATHON and of the New York City Marathon and displays the slogan: "United We Run".

With this motto, the BERLIN-MARATHON wants to demonstrate its heartfelt solidarity with the American people and in particular its close links to the New York City Marathon.

As already demonstrated in Berlin, the tens of thousands of runners from all over the world taking part in it will show the importance of sports and in particular of marathons for uniting the peoples of the world.

Just like in the German capital, in New York, too, volunteers will help the runners unfold the banner.

The action was made possible by the Bewag AG the major shareholder of which is the American energy corporation Mirant. In a spontaneous action, Bewag had stated shortly before the marathon race that it was ready to bear the costs of the banner.

About 40 staff-members of the company took part in the BERLIN-MARATHON.

Reinhard Heitzmann, spokesman of the Bewag AG: "The horrible events of September 11 in New York and in Washington caused a great shock in our company. We appreciate what America did for Berlin over the past decades. By displaying the huge banner at the start of this years marathon in Berlin and in New York, we want to manifest our solidarity with our partners in America and with the American people".

Horst Milde