By Sabine Klier
Berlin is and always will be GREAT! Almost 50,000 participants from 157 nations – skaters, handbikers, runners – started at the 48th Berlin Marathon. The sunny weather and the great atmosphere on the side of the road made the runners move fast and gave our city a new world record
“I can finally see the top runners,” said Michael Schmidt (60) from Wilmersdorf, who himself had taken part in the marathon 15 times and this time cheered on his running friends from the SCC from the curb. “The whole city is on its feet. It’s extremely motivating when someone is standing there waiting for you,” he knows from experience.
Fun is part of it: some runners dressed up, ran as the Brandenburg Gate or in a dirndl. This participant balanced a pineapple on his head Photo: FABRIZIO BENSCH/REUTERS
► Marie (24), who came from Belgium to cheer on her friend Lennert (25), managed a very special surprise. “He thinks I have to work at home,” she said. And then the midwife ran along at Wittenbergplatz with her visibly surprised friend, who managed to kiss her as he ran. And then he fired the turbo.
Lennert (25) did not know that his girlfriend Marie (24) had come from Belgium to cheer. There was a kiss for that Photo: Ralf Gunther
► José (26) from New York, who was unable to run because of knee surgery, supported his twin brother Carlos. When he appeared in the crowd, he just walked along – and even parents were there live over the phone from New York.
The twin brothers from New York: Carlos (26) ran … Photo: Ralf Gunther
…. and José cheers him on – and then ran along for a while. Apparently Google Translate played a trick on him and translated the Spanish “Vamos!” or “Vamonos!” (“Let’s go!”) somewhat carelessly and too directly. The parents were connected live via mobile phone Photo: Ralf Gunther
► A number of spectators also pushed themselves to the limit, tirelessly cheering on the runners loudly with saucepans, vuvuzelas or rattles.
► At Nollendorfplatz, the Cheerleader Titans swung their pompoms and showed tricks. The “Berlin Academy for Marching Drums” – founded by Peter Fox (Seeed) – started with 40 drummers between the ages of six and 28.
The “Berlin Academy for Marching Drums” created a good atmosphere with 40 drummers at Nollendorfplatz Photo: Ralf Gunther
Today many will have blisters on their feet and hands or will be completely without a voice – they all contributed to making yesterday’s Berlin Marathon an unforgettable experience.
Jean Hugues (39) from France enthused: “It was so impressive to walk through the Brandenburg Gate. This mood is unique!” Photo: Ralf Gunther
Urdur Anna (34) from Iceland and Anne Muurholm from Denmark (24) met in their running group. “We are so proud that we managed our first marathon,” they say happily Photo: Ralf Gunther
Sports also on the side of the road: The Cheerleader Titans from Schöneberg swung their pompoms and showed acrobatic gymnastics Photo: Ralf Gunther
“Where’s Taylor?” Kate (40) from Washington was waiting for her boyfriend with her cousin Emilie (43), the kids Sammy (8) and Richie (12). Photo: Ralf Gunther