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Cover of the invitation to the "1st Berlin People's Marathon" on 13.10.1974 - Photo: Horst Milde
Search for the „finishers“ of the 1st BERLIN MARATHON in 1974
On 29 September 2024, the BERLIN MARATHON celebrates its 50th anniversary (founded as the „1st Berlin People’s Marathon“ on 13 October 1974).
The start was located at Waldschulallee 80 in Berlin-Charlottenburg. The organiser SCC Berlin received 286 entries from 4 nations, 244 participants reached the finish line.
The start time was 9.00 am. The entry fee was 12.00 DM. On the day of the event, all participants had to present a medical certificate from a sports doctor, which must not be older than 6 weeks.
The finish line was in front of the Mommsenstadion in Charlottenburg. The route was a 2-lap course to the Wannsee lido and back, parallel to the AVUS, practically on/in the Grunewald forest.
The start of the „1st Berlin People’s Marathon“ at Waldschulallee 80 in Berlin-Charlottenburg – Photo: private
The winner was Günter Hallas (LG Nord) in 2:44:53 – the winner Jutta von Haase (LG Süd) in 3:22:01
In the year of the 50th anniversary of the BERLIN-MARATHON, Peter Bartel (finisher in 1974) and Horst Milde (founder of the BERLIN-MARATHON) are looking for the remaining FINISHERS of the inaugural event in 1974 on a private initiative – in addition to the two winners Günter Hallas and Jutta von Haase – also Bernd Hübner (as local hero).
The list of results from 1974 only contains the surname, first name, time and age group at that time. No club and no further details. It is therefore very difficult to search for and find the finishers from 1974.
Peter Bartel, who came up with the idea for this campaign, is not only a marathon runner but also an ultra runner, which means that nothing can knock him down so easily. He has been able to identify and contact 30 runners (27 men and 3 women) in countless phone calls so far.
There is also a US American who has contacted the organisers to run in the 50th BERLIN-MARATHON. He served with the US Allied Brigade in 1974 and raced with the „US Marathon Team“ at the premiere. He is still so fit that he wants to be back at the start in Berlin 50 years later.
Winner Günter Hallas also wants to try again, but this time he wants to walk. He would then have „finished“ the BERLIN MARATHON 43 times.
Many of the finishers today must be 70 years old, some even 90 years or older.
The purpose of the search for the „74 finishers“ is to enable them to meet up after 50 years in the forefield of the 50th BERLIN-MARATHON 2024 and share remembrances. A photo shoot at the start and finish of 1974 is also planned, among other things. There will also be an invitation to an ecumenical marathon prayer service in the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church on the Saturday before the BERLIN MARATHON.
Anyone who can provide relevant information about other 74 finishers should contact Peter Bartel (Tel: 030-401 59 33 – Mobile: 0151 1026 4722)
REPORTS and REQUESTS ONLY to:
Peter Bartel
Fuchssteinerweg 33
13465 Berlin-Frohnau
Tel: 030-401 59 33
Mobile phone: 0151 1026 4722
E-mail: peter-bartel@peter-bartel.de
This is not a press release from SCC Berlin, SCC Events or BERLIN-MARATHON.
Horst Milde
