More than 60,000 participants from 156 nations will take part in various race competitions at this year’s BMW Berlin Marathon in Germany’s capital on September 23-24, 2023.
Event organiser SCC Events notes that it attaches particular importance to setting an example for young people and sustainability. This year, participants include:
- 47,912 runners;
- 4,523 inline skaters;
- 95 handbikers and 61 wheelchair athletes; and
- More than 9,200 students, about 1,200 children
“The topic of lack of exercise is on everyone’s lips,” explained Jürgen Lock, CEO of SCC Events. “We want to show that exercise is fun. We want to motivate people and get them excited about an active lifestyle.
“At the same time, it’s aways important to emphasize that even a marathon time of five hours or more is a great achievement.”
New junior series R5K with grand finale in Berlin
SCC Events adds that it is particularly committed to young athletes, who will find participation opportunities on Saturday in the mini-marathon and the bambini runs as well as the new format R5K.
With the R5K, SCC Events, together with the German Athletics Association (DLV), German Road Races (GRR) and other organizers, has initiated a new series for young athletes, which is specifically designed to promote talent between the ages of 12 and 22. After three stops, the finale will be held in Berlin on Saturday afternoon.
“Junior races often take place in empty stadiums,” continued Jürgen Lock. “We want to give the young talents visibility, so we deliberately integrated the races into big events.
“Five kilometres is the perfect distance for these age groups, and a series like this offers the opportunity to see your own improvement in times.”
Sustainability
As an EMAS-certified event, ecological responsibility has played a central role at the BMW Berlin Marathon. Initiatives range from the use of reusable cups, to refill stations for self-carried drinking systems, recycled cups and organic bananas to a baling press for heat foils.
Michael Fuchs, SCC Events’ Sustainability Manager, said “We take a holistic approach to the topic of sustainability.
“All participants are expressly encouraged to donate well-preserved running shoes, hoodies, sweatpants, etc., to the Berliner Stadtmission, which will then be distributed to those in need via a clothing store.”
TV eye
The BMW Berlin Marathon will be shown this year on Eurosport 1 (Free-TV Germany, Austria), from 09:00 to 12:00 CET on TV as well as via Livestream on discovery+ (Germany and Austria). From 12:00 to 14:30, RBB will broadcast a BMW Berlin Marathon show.
www.bmw-berlin-marathon.com/en
www.scc-events.com
