RUNNING GERMANY: BERLIN – 10th “Burn off the Christmas Goose“ Run with goose in Berlin – Bernd Hübners race (only jogging) at Christmas – anniversary run in the „Grunewald“ forest

The surprise for the real live Christmas goose “Joggy“ was perfect: At the 10th “Burn off the Christmas Goose“ the traditional Santa (Wolfgang Paech) arrived at Mommsen Stadium with a goose under his arm. Bernd Hübner had invited everyone to join him in his traditional Christmas calorie-burning and recuperation run—and was “overrun“ with participants.

Bernd Hübner – famous in Germany – for he is the record holder for taking part for 35-times in the BERLIN-MARATHON:

The participants of the small public race gathered together in front of the stadium and waited at 10.00 am for the running Santa with the goose. At minus 3 degrees C, sunny weather – ideal for running, 276 runners  (new record), ran in their best form while 2 TV teams accompanied the participants for an easy and fun run through the woods.

The traditional resting point in the training area of the Grunewald Forest was the ranger station Saubucht (Bay of Pigs). The participants had mulled wine waiting for them there. The runners gave the ex-ranger Hans Lippert a small thank-you: a bottle of wine.

All year long, Ranger Lippert offers the running community fresh water when they pass by his station.

A thank you goes out to the Sport Administration from Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf – Mommsen Stadium was opened as a special service to the Christmas runners.

Horst Milde