October 3, 2024: Exactly one year ago, the Bréal Marathon took place in Landau. Prof. Hans Giessen

On October 3, 2024, exactly one year ago, the Bréal Marathon took place in Landau.

Today a small town with just under 40,000 inhabitants, located in the Palatinate region, in South West Germany – the “Tuscany of Germany” –, surrounded by vineyards, Landau has a thoroughly turbulent history.

Last year, the town celebrated an anniversary: exactly 750 years ago, it was granted town rights by Rudolf von Habsburg, then King of the Holy Empire.

The state government provided special funding so that Landau could celebrate the anniversary in style.

Among other things, these funds were used to organize the marathon. This may seem surprising at first, but there is a clear reason for it: Michael Julius Alfred Breal, the “inventor” of the marathon as a sports event, was born in Landau in 1832. It was he who, when the first Olympic Games were planned in Athens in 1894, suggested that runners should compete in a race from Marathon to Athens. Bréal himself was an influential professor in Paris at the time.

Michael Julius Alfred Bréal, the “inventor” of the marathon as a sports event – Phozo: Hans Giessen

In any case, it seemed appropriate and sensible to use the state government’s money to organize a marathon, the “Landau Bréal Marathon.” The first marathon in the city where the inventor of the marathon came from.

This was ideal for the runners: the Landau Marathon was both a city marathon and a race through idyllic vineyards. However, it proved expensive and complicated for the organizers. They had to reorganize some 1,500 new traffic signs and six kilometers of barriers.

In addition, many running competitions were to be made possible: a classic marathon and a half marathon, plus the marathon distance as an Ekiden relay, as well as school and “Bambini” runs. As a result, a shuttle service with buses had to be set up. In addition, there were 4,000 liters of water, more than 1,000 liters of tea, almost 1,000 liters of electrolyte, almost 500 kilograms of pretzels, just as many bananas, and orange pieces to distribute. More than 400 helpers were on duty.

It was definitely worth it. Around 3,000 registrations is quite remarkable for a small-town marathon being organized for the very first time. And that despite the fact that there were no prominent runners to attract additional attention (unfortunately, former German champion Sabrina Mockenhaupt was unable to participate). But the times of the regional starters were also impressive, with the winning time for men at 2:42 and for women at 3:03, even though there was at least one “rock-hard” climb, as the local daily newspaper “Die Rheinpfalz” quoted one runner as saying. The media response was “enthusiastic about the course and the audience,” according to the local daily newspaper: “No one can take that away from Landau.”

The birthplace of Bréal – Photo: Hans Giessen

But the state government’s funds were not enough. Shortly before the event, an additional 150,000 Euros had to be made available. Even though a quarter of a million Euros in entry fees and sponsorship money was recouped in the end, those responsible came to the conclusion that there would be no second Bréal Marathon: “The efforts involved are extreme,” said one of the co-organizers, adding that it was only feasible in the anniversary year and thanks to financial support from the state government. Especially since the city itself is heavily in debt.

The Landau Bréal Marathon therefore remains a special event. An experience, both in terms of running – in ideal weather, not too hot but dry – and because of the occasion.

The participant’s medal showed the inventor of the marathon in front of the city backdrop, a very special memento of the first and, at least for the foreseeable future, only marathon in the birth town of the sport’s “inventor.”

Prof. Hans Giessen