SCC Events organiser of the BMW Berlin Marathon, which takes place on Sunday, September 26, is getting ready to put on ‘the world’s largest marathon since the beginning of the pandemic.’
Media attention is high, with currently around 500 accredited media representatives. The event features amateur and professional athletes. Around 25,000 participants are expected on the starting line on Sunday (with about 2,800 skaters on Saturday).
Jürgen Lock, Managing Director of SCC Events, hosted a press conference to kick off the marathon week. “Months ago, we already set ourselves the challenge of organizing a safe BMW Berlin-Marathon in the fall of 2021,” he said.
“We have managed to do that. This race has great significance. We want to see the community running and laughing again.”
Lock emphasized that the steps to get to race week were not easy. The circumstances of the pandemic, including short-time work for staff, presented hurdles for SCC Events. The company also had to develop a sophisticated hygiene concept on which the event is ultimately being based, allowing for a safe return for the marathon.
“A very good, trusting cooperation with the city, especially with the Senate Department for the Interior and Sport, made it possible for us to start this weekend,” explained Lock, who also thanked all event partners and other Berlin authorities.
SCC Events’ Berlin hygiene concept is based on the ‘Three Gs’: anyone who goes to the start must either be vaccinated, recovered or tested negative by PCR test and provide proof of this. Spectators along the course are requested to keep their distance and to wear a mouth-nose protection.
The BMW Berlin Marathon is part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors series together with races in Boston, Chicago, London, New York and Tokyo. It is Germany’s biggest road running race. The event will take place under strict hygiene rules after the 2020 edition had to be cancelled because of the Corona pandemic.
Given the continuing conditions imposed by the pandemic, the number of starters has been considerably reduced. This year around 25,000 runners are expected to compete. The organisers note that this number would still make the BMW Berlin Marathon the biggest marathon worldwide since the Corona pandemic began.
Two years ago the BMW Berlin Marathon registered a record 43,987 finishers who ran through the Brandenburg Gate to the finish line.
www.bmw-berlin-marathon.com/en
www.scc-events.com
