Munich/Berlin. More than one million spectators,
about 70,000 runners from 130 countries, and 5,500 volunteers: the
German capital will once again be transformed into a gigantic open-air
stadium for the 43rd BMW BERLIN MARATHON on 25th September. The
fastest route on the international marathon calendar attracts some of
the world’s top runners ever year, as well as tens of thousands of
amateur athletes. The marathon festival is the highlight of the
extensive BMW Running commitment and is one of the six stand-out
marathons in the world. As at all the major marathon events in
Germany, the fully-electric BMW i3 will be used as the official timing
and lead car.
“The great enthusiasm in the sporting metropolis of Berlin is a key
factor in the largest marathon event in Germany, and is inspiring for
the many participants. Sportiness is at the heart of our company, so
we are all delighted to be the title partner of the BMW BERLIN
MARATHON again as we celebrate the centenary of the BMW Group and the
BMW brand,” said Peter van Binsbergen, Senior Vice President Sales and
Marketing BMW Germany.
As well as an enthusiastic welcome from the people of Berlin, the
runners can also look forward to an event perfectly organised by SCC
EVENTS GmbH. Title partner BMW will also contribute to the success of
the event: along with the BMW i3, it will also provide a BMW i8 as the
safety car, a further seven timing cars, and 12 BMW E-Scooter C
Evolutions, as well as a total of 40 additional cars for
organisational purposes and for use as shuttles.
This year, a BMW winter sports squad boasting many Olympic victories
and world championship titles will run in Berlin. Miriam Gössner
(biathlon), Tobias Wendl (luge) and Johannes Lochner (bobsleigh) will
experience the BMW BERLIN MARATHON out on the route – supported by BMW
Running ambassadors and Olympians Anna and Lisa Hahner.
Two world records have been broken at the BMW BERLIN MARATHON in the
past three years. In 2013, Wilson Kipsang covered the 42 kilometres
faster than any man before him in a time of 2:03:23 hours. Now 34, the
Kenyan is one of the top stars in this year’s marathon. The same goes
for Kenenisa Bekele from Ethiopia. One of the most successful track
distance runners of all time, he is a three-time Olympic gold
medallist and five-time world champion over 5,000 and 10,000 metres,
and has also won the World Cross Country championship 11 times,
including victories over the shorter and longer distance. He also
holds the world record over 5,000 and 10,000 metres. He has been
trying his hand at marathon running since 2014 and this year’s BMW
BERLIN MARATHON represents his fifth start over the classic distance.
Top favourite in the women’s race is Florence Kiplagat from Kenya, who
was first across the finish line at the Brandenburg Gate in 2011 and
2013 and also boasts a fastest time of 2:19:44.
“The fact that the route through the German capital is always good
for a world record is another thing that makes the BMW BERLIN MARATHON
so special,” said van Binsbergen. “Facing every challenge and pursuing
ambitious goals with passion and stamina has always been in the DNA of
our company, ever since the early days of BMW. This is behind the
innovation BMW demonstrates in automobile manufacturing, which has set
new benchmarks in electric mobility with the development of the BMW i
cars, which are made sustainably and from carbon.”
The BMW i3 and BMW i8, together with other models, will be on display
at the BERLIN VITAL trade fair, which will this year take place at an
attractive new venue in STATION Berlin at Gleisdreieck. From 22nd to
24th September, roughly 200 national and international exhibitors will
present their lifestyle, sport, wellness, health and nutrition
products to 90,000 visitors.
As in previous years, ARD and rbb will broadcast the BMW BERLIN
MARATHON live. ARD will report from 09:00 to 11:40 on 25th September,
while rbb will broadcast from 09:00 to 14:00.