News
New finish at Brandenburg Gate is welcomed by top officials
The new finish of this year
2003-05-23
The new finish of this years 30th real,- BERLIN MARATHON is welcomed by top officials worldwide. Since the organisers from SCC-RUNNING have announced that the real,- BERLIN-MARATHON will finish at the Brandenburg Gate for the first time, the response has been enormous.Additionally for the first time the inline skaters are planned to have their own race a day earlier on 27th September. Runners, wheelchair athletes and walkers will follow on 28th September. News of the finish led to an entry boom, which the race had had only once before. That was in 1990, when the marathon led the runners through Brandenburg Gate for the first time after the fall of the Berlin wall in late 1989. The participation limit in 1990 was 25,000 – this year a record number of 35,000 entries from runners will be accepted. But the real,- BERLIN MARATHON is already now nearly sold out. Additionally 12,000 inline skaters will be allowed to compete. But again there are not many numbers left. So if you want to take part in this years real,- BERLIN MARATHON enter the race now.
Here are some prominent statements concerning the new finish:
Lamine Diack
IAAF President:
"On behalf of the
International Association of Athletics Federations, I commend the organisers of
the real,- BERLIN MARATHON for the decision to stage the finish this year at
the Brandenburg Gate. For me, and many people around the world, this
architectural marvel has come to symbolise not only Berlin, but "new"
Germany with all its prospects. I believe that the real,- BERLIN MARATHON,
which has earned its place as one of the best marathons in the world, will gain
even more publicity by having such a photogenic backdrop. With the recent news
that Berlin is also bidding for the 2009 World Championships in Athletics, I
commend the city for showing itself to be Germanys "City of
Athletics." I wish all the competitors, and the race organisers, the best
of luck."
Hiroaki Chosa
AIMS President:
"On behalf of AIMS we would like to express our sincere respect your
wisdom to change finishing area to Brandenburg Gate which is the symbolic
monument for the unification of the Germany. We also congratulate on the
challenge of Mr.Milde and his staff for their continuous effort. AIMS has now
175 memberships world wide and contributing to the humanhealth through running.
As you know there are more than 1 billion runnersthroughout the world and real
– BERLIN MARATHON is one of the fastest growing marathon.We know you are
runners friendly organization and runners are appreciating it from their
heart.In 2001 Naoko Takahashi (Gold medallist, Sydney Olympic Games) of Japan
achieved the first sub 2:20 performance at womens marathon in Berlin. She
appreciated the cheerful voice from the crowd along with the course inBerlin.
JAAF deeply appreciated organizers to make necessary preparation atevery way.In
conclusion on behalf of AIMS, We wish you the success of real,- BERLIN MARATHON
in 2003 and step forward to the future."
Allan Steinfeld
Race Director, New York City Marathon:
"I applaud the real,- BERLIN MARATHON for moving the finish of this world
class event to the Brandenberg Gate. During the Cold War, the Gate was a symbol
of divisiveness and oppression. It now stands as a beacon of freedom for all
the world to see. What better way to showcase the real,- BERLIN MARATHON and
its diverse international field and spirit than to unite runners from the four
corners of the world in sport and comraderie and have them finish under the
magnificent Brandenberg Gate"
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