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Horst Milde: The man who taught Berlin running
In 40 years he has organised almost 350 races
2003-11-24
It was on last Friday evening (19 Nov) when Horst Milde got one of the warmest rounds of applause of his life for an honour which he rates as the most valuable he has ever received at an international level.During a reception the IAAF, which is holding its Council meeting in Berlin this weekend, took the opportunity to honour Horst Milde for his lifelong work and commitment for athletics, with IAAF President Lamine Diack presenting him with the IAAF Plaque of Merit.
Milde is Berlin’s Fred Lebow. The 65 year-old not only is the Race Director of the Real Berlin Marathon plus a number of other big road races. He also has a tremendous share of the great development of road running in Germany and especially in Berlin. If one speaks about Horst Milde in the capital he is referred to the man who taught Berlin running.
“I was very proud to be honoured by the IAAF. I never expected this. But I have to stress that this success was possible only because I have got a great team of co-organisers, who are also absolutely committed to our sport.”
350 races in 40 years
In 40 years he has organised almost 350 races with altogether around 1.25 million participants. Worldwide these are quite unique figures taking into account that it was one single race director for all the events. And probably they can only be matched by the New York Road Runners Club.
It was in 1964 when Milde and his fellow students started one of the first ever cross country races in Germany. Additionally this race in the West Berlin wood (Grunewald) was one of the very first ones nationwide that allowed everyone to take part. And at once this became the biggest German cross country race with more than 700 competitors.
For full article on iaaf.org - click here
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