The Berlin New Year’s Day Run– 37 Years – The running year began in Berlin at noon on January 1

The running year began in Berlin at noon on January 1, 2008 with the traditional New Year’s Day Run at the Brandenburg Gate. This non-competitive event has now become an institution that is an integral part of the sporting life of Berlin. It also demonstrates the unique Berlin situation, where what used to be an East Berlin race has now become a race for everyone together after the fall of the Wall on November 9, 1989.

It has now become tradition to start the race at noon on New Year’s Day at Pariser Platz in front of the Brandenburg Gate, and to set off at an easy pace down Berlin’s grand boulevard Unter den Linden to Spandauer Straße, behind the Berlin Cathedral and Lustgarten, then back along Unter den Linden to the Brandenburg Gate.

Celebrity Runners

Slow pace makers lead the way with flags to assure that the run does not become competitive, but rather proceeds at an easy pace for everyone, including walkers, wheelchairs, parents with kids, and moms with joggers. Numerous celebrities have participated; a few years ago the German foreign minister, Joschka Fischer, joined in unnoticed.

UNICEF Children’s Fund

The streets are kept clear with the assistance of the Berlin police. There is no registration fee, but a donation is collected from each runner for the UNICEF Children’s Fund. Many journalists are also there to report on the first sporting event of the year.
The race is over after 45 minutes – numerous tourists cheer them on after a night of New Year’s celebrating.

The participants receive a nice certificate signed by race director Mark Milde – and Heinz Florian Oertel, the initiator of the New Year’s Day Run in 1972.
It is the joy of running, as Heinz Florian Oertel stated in 1972 at the premiere in Friedrichshain, that brings all of the runners together on that day and place to demonstrate the enjoyment of their common sport.