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The countdown is underway -While last year there was talk about a “half marathon boom despite the ice and snow”, this year there is still a boom, but now amidst
RUNNING GERMANY – 31st BERLIN HALF MARATHON (April 3)
The countdown is underway -While last year there was talk about a “half marathon boom despite the ice and snow”, this year there is still a boom, but now amidst a March filled with lots of sun and good training conditions. Spring on its way, and we have the best conditions for a good start into the running season.
The BERLIN HALF MARATHON again is setting the standards with new record numbers of participants, and it awaits you with its fast and spectacular course. The only registrations still open are for the Bambini Run and the SCC-Skating KidsCup (on site at the expo).
Things will be starting off as usual with the three-day BERLIN VITAL Expo, which will take place once again in the former Tempelhof Airport, where you will find all kinds of info and activities relating to endurance sport.
Contents:
- Half marathon favourites and a record number of participants
- EVENT Shirt 2011 – BERLIN HALF MARATHON
- The “Red Noses” will be happy – Vattenfall is donating
one Euro for every participant - ERDINGER Alkoholfrei (alcohol-free beer) –
the Weissbier (wheat beer) of heroes - Ecumenical moment for runners at the Vattenfall BERLIN HALF MARATHON
1. Half marathon favourites and a record number of participants
With about 28,000 runners, skaters, power walkers, wheelchair athletes, hand cyclists and kids, we are expecting a new record number of participants this year, an indication of the rising popularity of the spring half marathon in Berlin.
The top athletes do not see it any differently: Sabrina Mockenhaupt, the most famous German long distance runner will be testing her conditioning at the start of the season.
We are expecting a world class men’s race, too, with three runners with best times under an hour at the start: Ayele Abshero of Ethiopia and Kiplimo Kumutai and Leonard Langat from Kenya.
Read the full article.
2. EVENT Shirt 2011 – BERLIN HALF MARATHON
On the occasion of the 31st BERLIN HALF MARATHON, for the first time we will be offering two different event shirts for the men and women. These shirts have limited availability and most of them have already been pre-ordered. If you would like to get one of the last shirts, order them now at our online shop or pick one up at the BERLIN VITAL Expo (while supplies last). You will also find our entire Vattenfall BERLIN HALF MARATHON collection at the expo. We look forward to seeing you.
3. The “Red Noses” will be happy – Vattenfall is donating one Euro for every participant
Every year, our title sponsor, Vattenfall, donates one Euro per participant for a good cause. This year the sum of almost 30,000 Euros will go to the “Rote Nasen e.V. – Clowns im Krankenhaus” (Red Noses – Clowns in Hospitals). These performers visit children in hospitals to bring some joy into their day-to-day lives in the clinics. The men and women involved in this initiative receive extra training for this therapeutic work.
4. ERDINGER Alkoholfrei (alcohol-free beer) –
the Weissbier (wheat beer) of heroes
Exhausted athletes literally thirst for afterwards: a cool ERDINGER Alkoholfrei after a draining competition. On the one hand it is a fabulous reward for your efforts, and on the other it is also the ideal regenerative drink. Again this year, the participants in the 31st Vattenfall BERLIN HALF MARATHON will have a double reason to cheer on April 3 just before they cross the finish line: you have almost made it, and you are just about to get an irresistibly refreshing alcohol-free beer … and a nice smile from the friendly ERDINDER Alkoholfrei service team. And if you cannot wait that long, then just visit the BERLIN VITAL Expo from March 31 to April 2 in the former Tempelhof Airport. Free cold isotonic fitness drinks will be served to all of the visitors.
Additional information is available at www.erdinger-alkoholfrei.de
5. Ecumenical moment for runners at for the BERLIN HALF MARATHON
For the first time, there will be an ecumenical moment for runners directly before the start of the half marathon on Sunday, presented by two participants: Frieder Schaefer (youth director) and Sabrina Tesch (deaconess). The brief service will be held from 9:20 -9:35 in the choir room in the St. Marienkirche (St. Mary’s Church) – of course you can come in running attire, as it takes place just before the start. The church will have its regular service at 10:30, and it sends its blessings to all of the runners.
The St. Marienkirche is located at the base of the TV Tower, about 1km from the start (Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse 8).
