It is the people who make history in Berlin. In the past and today. Runners, inline skaters, wheelchair athletes and handbikers from all over the world who surpass themselves at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, who perform and achieve the extraordinary. Berlin is the place for legends. Here we present some of our BERLIN LEGENDS.
This past weekend, the #20139 Challenge took place with nearly 15,000 endurance athletes worldwide who completed as many kilometres as possible in 2:01:39 hours, wearing running shoes or inline skates, on hand bikes or wheelchairs.
Here you find the story of Laura. She participated at our GENERALI Berlin Half Marathon 2018 and was running the #20139 challenge on her home track in Ås, Norway.
The beginning
I have been quite sporty during high school and university. Well, if you count dancing & clubbing as sport, I was a top athlete there!!! Fast forward 20 years, a kid and 2 countries later here was I, a middle age, overworked, stressed, slightly depressed and seriously overweight woman who’s idea of a marathon was Game of Thrones and Lord of the Rings extended edition while enjoying the best recovery drink, a large glass of Pinot Gris.
Getting the kick
My running story started almost 4 years ago. One March day in 2017 I went for a run. I managed 2km before my lungs caught fire and my knees started shaking. The crazy thing is that I liked it! So I started coming back for more. And more. Panting and puffing like Thomas the tank engine.
After a while, like a miracle, I found my breath under running but I lost the weight. And I realized how lucky and grateful I am for being able to walk, to move and to run and that there are so many people less fortunate. That was sort of a “click” moment and I found my mojo and my motivation in a bunch of kids affected by a rare genetic disease who will never be able to walk or run.
Keep going
That September I ran my first 5k at a local race and then my first 10k at Oslo Marathon. Slow and steady. It was so great when I got my first bling!
Then still on runners’ high, I made a wage with my husband that in the spring of 2018 I would be running my first HM. And he signed me up for Berlin HM. It was an awful winter and I trained mostly on treadmill, I was scared it wasn't enough. But I did run Berlin HM, I did finish it, and it was incredible, the crowd, the beer, the music and the whole atmosphere! Glorious!
Becoming a marathoner
One thing led to another and in November the same year I tackled one of the most difficult marathon races in Europe: Athens Marathon, the original 42.2 distance. I was over trained, injured and low spirited and when we passed through the villages where the fires killed so many people in July that year and we were met by villagers cheering us and bearing olive branches while the smoke was still lingering in the air, I completely collapsed mentally.
I cried and sobbed for a few km, thinking about giving up. It was hot and sunny and everything hurt. Then I remembered that I may be running for myself but I also put one step in front of the other for those rare kids whose smiles light up the room. And for the rest of the race I said one kid’s name for each km I ran and I did not allow myself to fail any single one of them. I sprinted for the last 200m, the entrance to the Panathinaikos stadium was exhilarating. I was a marathoner, 1% of the world's population!
Staying motivated
Last year I struggled to improve my time but I was so eager to do so that after a great race in Prague, I messed up in Tallin and I was on the verge of DNF in Amsterdam but I called upon my inner pitbull spirit and managed to finish. This year was tough to keep motivated. Virtual races may be an interim solution but I miss the crowds, the excitement, the music, the noise of a real race. Am I disappointed I don’t get to run in Berlin on September 27th? Of course I am but on the bright side I have one more year to train for it!
Some people told me that they started running and training because of me, that my transformation from a potato couch into a runner was their inspiration.
I mean, I am no athlete, I am not fast, I am a back-packer, I am far from being a legend. I am no spring chicken either! But I like running. I like the peace of mind and the inner dialogues a long run brings about, I like blood pumping during a fartlek push, and the feeling of accomplishment once the training is done, the endorphins storm. And I am resilient and stubborn. And I never-ever give up because I am some kids hero and when I put that running t-shirt on and I am matching it with my pink fluffy tutu skirt, it feels like taking up a superhero cape!
The #20139 challenge is a wonderful idea, thanks for sending over the number and the bracelet, it was one heck of a surprise. I promise I’ll do my best, watch out for the tutu!! ;-)
Cheers,
Laura
Lauras #20139 challenge on September 27, 2020
September 27th I was supposed, as so many of us, to be at Brandenburg Gate crossing the finish line of the Berlin Marathon. The fact that 2020 proved to be a totally unexpected kind of year is an understatement. And when the opportunity to run the #20139 challenge presented itself, my only choice was to lace up my shoes, put on my favorite t-shirt and my finest pink tutu skirt and be on my way.
In our part of the world, when it rains, it pours! It had been awful weather in the past week with rain and strong wind but the forecast for Sunday promised only wind. I was also hoping for some warming cheers along the way but half of my support team was still sleeping at 8.15 when I set off to do my challenge.
The start was great, I was on fire, everything went as planned. Then I got on the trail and started fighting off the mud, the slippery rocks and pine needles and even fallen tree branches, courtesy of rain & storm and some of the butterflies on my skirt unfortunately did not survive the ordeal :D
Once upon a time
Back in May I ran a virtual HM and I was wearing the same outfit. Along the way I met a little girl with her granny, strolling on the trail. When I passed them she cried “look grandma, look, a fairy!!” :) I stopped, took a bow, waved graciously like a fairy and went my way, laughing & giggling that I was in fact more the plump fairy godmother than a fairy. Yesterday however I only met half of the canine population of our village with their owners attached, out for the ritual morning walk. And the usual squirrels, curious about the commotion in their woods.
Rhythm is a dancer
The music and the encouragement in the app, it utterly ruled!! Here was I, “Eye of the tiger” loud in my ears, like a mean machine Rocky Balboa emerging from the woods :D Please convey my thanks to the person/s who made the song selection, Thunderstruck absolutely made my day.
After the trail, I ran through my neighborhood and then again on a different patch of woods, coming out on a segment we call “faster than the train”, alongside the train tracks. I think the name was given in an ironic way cause the train tends to be delayed sometimes but I had my heart set on a new PR on that segment and I got it :)
Finish with an outlook
Upon my arrival on the stadium for the last few laps of the challenge, my entire support team was there waiting to cheer for me although my dog, Ozzy, who wasn’t allowed on the track, was completely baffled about me not stopping to pet him and keeping on running in circles like a mad hamster.
The last 90 seconds were amazing, I felt like I was there when history was made in 2018! It was one heck of a challenge, you’ve outdone yourselves! The support, the app, the encouragement, the coverage, the motivation, all in one, you should be proud of your achievements and I think runners worldwide responded in kind with the same enthusiasm :) So thank you again for this opportunity and see you next year in Berlin!!
Between 1974 and 1980 the BERLIN-MARATHON was staged in the Grunewald forest west of the divided city of Berlin.
In 1977 the West German national marathon championships were staged on the same day as the BERLIN-MARATHON using the same course and the same infrastructure. The men’s championships race started at noon time, the women’s race thereafter. Christa Vahlensieck broke her own world record from 1975 by almost six minutes clocking 2:34:48 hrs.
The 25th edition of the BERLIN-MARATHON in 1998 was quite unexpectedly crowned with a world record (called „world best“ until 2004). Ronaldo Da Costa from Brazil improved the 10 year old mark of 2:06:50, set by Belayneh Dinsamo of Ethiopia, by 45 seconds clocking 2:06:05 hours.
This way the Brazilian became the first runner ever to cover the marathon distance with average kilometer splits of under 3 minutes performing an average running speed of more than 20 km/h. He improved his personal best time by 3:02 minutes.
The women’s race was won by Belgian Marleen Reeders in 2:25:22 whereas wheelchair legend Heinz Frei from Switzerland took first place in 1:24:19. First in the women’s wheelchair division was Edith Hunkeler (1:47:53) from Switzerland. A record number of 27,621 participants had applied for the 1998 BERLIN-MARATHON.
Three years after Haile Gebrselassie became the first runner to run under 2:04 hrs at the BERLIN-MARATHON it was Patrick Makau from Kenya who ran 21 seconds faster to clock a new world record by running 2:03.38 hrs. He had proven his ability to run fast by winning the BERLIN-MARATHON the year before in 2:05:08 although it was pouring with rain throughout the race. Asked after that performance how fast he could run at better conditions he answered „one and a half minute faster“. In 2011 he proved it to the very second.
Florence Kiplagat won the womens race in 2:19:44 hrs, underlining the importance of the fastest marathon distance in the world.
In 2018 Eliud Kipchoge from Kenya wrote history by winning the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON in the world record time of 2:01:39 hrs bettering the previous mark by 1:18 minutes.
One year later BMW BERLIN-MARATHON winner Kenenisa Bekele from Ethiopia missed the world record by a mere of three seconds winning in 2:01:42 hrs.
He is an absolutely exceptional talent: in 2013, Belgian Bart Swings became the first skater to break the magic one-hour barrier. He repeated this feat in the following years. And so the winner from 2013 to 2018 and again in 2021 and 2022 is Bart Swings. In the process, he also kept lowering his times - right up to the current course record of 56:46 minutes.
At the Olympic Games, he proves that he is not only the best in the world on wheels. After silver in 2018, he won gold four years later in Beijing, both times in the mass start.
Wheelchair athlete Catherine Debrunner provided one of the biggest success stories at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON. In 2022, at her first start in Berlin, she won at her first attempt! One year later, she outdid herself: World record for the likeable Swiss athlete (1:34:16). After winning in London, New York and Chicago, she secured overall victory in the Abbott World Marathon Majors Series in 2023.
Catherine Debrunner is not only at home on the long distance, she also holds the world records over 200, 400, 800 and 1500 metres. An absolute highlight of her very successful career is being honoured with the Laureus World Sports Award Parasport. In addition to her great passion for professional sport, she works as a primary school teacher in Switzerland.
1999 was another record-breaking year for the BERLIN-MARATHON. Tegla Loroupe from Kenya broke her own world record by four seconds clocking 2:20:43 hrs adding one more jewel to her impressive career as a distance runner.
The winning time on the men’s side was world class, too. The winner was Kenyan Josephat Kiprono (2:06:44) while 2nd place finisher Takayuki Inubushi from Japan set a continental record for Asia (2:06:57). The combined times of the men’s and the women’s winner represented another „world record“.
The wheelchair race was taken one more time by Heinz Frei from Switzerland. It was his 12th victory in the German capital whereas Monica Wetterström (Sweden) won the women’s competition.
A record number of 27,112 runners registered for the race.
Between 2006 and 2009 Haile Gebrselassie won the BERLIN-MARATHON four times and broke the world marathon record twice.
In 2007 the Ethiopian superstar clocked 2:04:26 hrs shaving 29 seconds off Paul Tergat´s world record mark set in Berlin in 2003. One year later the he ran 2:03:59 and became the first runner ever under 2:04 hrs. He won also in 2009 but failed to better his own record due to increasing temperatures.
A record number of 35,783 runners finished the marathon in 2008.
In the presence of the previous world record runners of the BERLIN-MARATHON, who followed the race due to the anniversary celebrations of the 40th BERLIN-MARATHON 2013, the Kenyan Wilson Kipsang stormed through the capital in a world record time. The clock showed 2:03:23 hours when he crossed the finish line.
Second in 2:04:05 hours was a certain Eliud Kipchoge in his second marathon. Never before has a runner-up been faster than him.
36,527 finishers also meant a record.
Gladys Cherono from Kenya won the BERLIN-MARATHON three times, 2015, 2017 and 2018 clocking a course record of 2:18:11 hrs in 2018 which was the 4th fastest time worldwide at the time being. The combined winning times of the 2018 BERLIN-MARATHON made this race the fastest ever over the marathon distance.
Anyone who hears the name Uta Pippig immediately thinks of the Brandenburg Gate. Born in Leipzig, she marked the beginning of a new era for the capital and for the BERLIN-MARATHON in 1990 with her amazing run as an East German across the borders of the divided city. Just three days before Reunification, the route led through East and West Berlin for the first time.
World-Class Athlete behind the Iron Curtain
Uta Pippig began training for the long distances at the age of 13. In 1986, not yet 20 years old, she won the marathon at East German Championships in Leipzig. However, when she travelled to the Tokyo Marathon in 1988, her trainer Dieter Hogen was not allowed to accompany her. She came in second with a time of 2:32:20 hours. The political conditions in the GDR restricted one’s opportunities for self-determination, and in the case of Uta Pippig, limited her opportunities to establish herself in the international world of sport.
The Fall of the Wall and Uta Pippig's Breakthrough
1990 therefore marked a breakthrough in many respects, not only with regard to Germany as a whole, but also for Pippig's career. The Wall had fallen, and the participants of the BERLIN-MARATHON were able to pass through the Brandenburg Gate on the new route for the very first time. For many participants, this was a special moment. Uta Pippig describes this moment in our Fall of the Wall anniversary video interview with an incomparable feeling of freedom that still inspires her in all of her endeavors today. This day was crowned by her victory over 42.195 kilometres and a new course record with a time of 2:28:37 hours.
International Success Story
Inspired by this experience, Uta Pippig appeared on the world stage of running in the early 1990s and collected marathon victories in Boston and New York. She was named ‘Runner of the Year’ by the Association of International Marathons and Road Races in 1995 and 1996. Between 1990 and 1996, she won seven marathons in these cities, and added to her list of exceptional achievements by competing in the Olympic Games in Barcelona in 1992 (7th place in the 10,000M) and in Atlanta in 1996.
After Sport is before Sport
Despite such a diverse athletic biography, looking back, Uta reflects: “My victory in Berlin on that day (1990 BERLIN MARATHON) was probably the emotional highlight of my career.” She is still our running expert for the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON and certainly deserves to call herself a Berlin Legend!
"Do not compare yourself with others, concentrate on yourself and make the most of your opportunities." Inspired by her athletic role model Allyson Felix, coupled with down-to-earth nature and sense of purpose, Katharina Rumpus has worked her way up in the world of inline skating—a true story of a superwoman.
The heralded story of the football player, who metamorphoses from a sandlot kid to a million-dollar professional, is often told in the media. However, this kind of storytelling may more likely be attributed to a resourceful manager than to the truth. In the case of Katharina Rumpus, she truly did have a very modest start to her career. Currently, the 25-year-old from Powerslide Matter World Team is one of Germany's fastest inline skaters.
Katharina has achieved this success despite beginning her internship as a student teacher in Neckarsulm at the start of the year. Dealing with a dual life is new for the athlete from Heilbronn, as she has previously had to organise her school and university studies around her sports. The aspiring secondary school teacher for maths and sports admits frankly, “But I also have to say that the internship is much more stressful than studying. I am not as flexible with my time and I had to reduce my distances significantly.” But all the hard work appears to be worth it for her. Katharina has always known that she wanted to go to college. Her desire to teach is great, or, as the Heilbronn woman expresses sympathetically: “The internship is a lot of fun. I just love working with children and sharing my knowledge with them.”
Katharina does what she loves well—very well. That’s the way it was with skating, too. Actually, she never planned on becoming a professional athlete. That simply developed out of her love and enthusiasm for sports. Early on, Katharina was on skis—not skates. She started her sports career at a young age at the club Ski Sport Franken Heilbronn. In order to stay fit over the summer months for the upcoming winter season, Katharina trained with her brother on inline slalom skis, always under the aegis of her father. Naturally, she also took part in competitions in this discipline due to her irrepressible desire for victory. At one of these competitions, the family found out about inline speed skating by accident. “We were hooked immediately, and that is how the insane journey began”, the superwoman describes that decisive moment. What followed were odd training sessions on illuminated parking lots at night or on crummy bike paths. Her father provided the training, and his son and daughter skillfully executed it. When asked about the miserable conditions for training, Katharina says: “That did not bother us; quite the contrary, it made us tough and incredibly versatile. The competitions not only provided an opportunity to compete with our peers, but also a chance to skate on good tracks and real road courses.”
The concept worked. Katharina Rumpus won three junior world titles. And in contrast to the story about football players told earlier, the woman from Heilbronn did not immediately look for the big money. Although she did start training at a pro camp, she also continued her academics. During her studies, the aspiring teacher focused on the marathon. Her ability for self-reflection helped her come back stronger from defeat. In 2016, Katharina became the European Champion over the 42.195-km distance and in 2018, she won the BMW BERLIN MARATHON.
Back to the current day. If you think that Katharina Rumpus might not be a main contender at the BMW BERLIN MARATHON in 2019, since, as she mentioned, she has not been able to get in as much training as she was used to, be warned. “I think I’m in good shape despite everything,” she modestly assesses her situation. Her athletic role model is Allyson Felix, so this statement takes on a very different meaning. She tells all women, who, like Katharina, want to be successful on skates: “Do not compare yourself with others, concentrate on yourself and make the most of your possibilities.”
At the age of 25, the Ethiopian won the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON for the first time in 2022 in her second attempt in 2:15:37 hours. She beat her best time over the marathon distance by 18 minutes. A year later, Tigst Assefa achieved the biggest coup of her career to date on the streets of the German capital: she won the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON again - in a marvellous new world record time of 2:11:53. This also earned her the title of World Athlete of the Year 2023 by World Athletics.
The 28th edition of the BERLIN-MARATHON saw yet another world record being broken when Japanese Olympic champion Naoko Takahashi won the race. Her winning time of 2:19:47 hrs made her the first female runner ever to break the bareer of 2:20 hrs. Since Naoko Takahashi was some kind of cult figure in her home country millions of spectators watched the live tv coverage of the BERLIN-MARATHON in Japan.
It was the 3rd world record at the BERLIN-MARATHON which gave proof of the flat and fast course of this race. But Takahasi´s record lasted only one week. At the Chicago Marathon Kenyan runner Catherine Ndereba ran almost 1 minute faster (2:18:46). A record number of 25,916 runners finished the race.
The wheelchair division was won by Swiss legend Heinz Frei (1:30:24) whereas fellow Swiss wheely Edith Hunkeler took the women’s title (1:47:46).
On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the BERLIN-MARATHON the start and the finish line were moved to Strasse des 17. Juni near Brandenburg Gate - a location which made for iconic photos. Former Kenyan track star Paul Tergat went for a fast time in his 6th marathon. Paced by his training companion Sammy Korir he reached the finish line in a new world record time of 2:04:55 hrs with Korir just one second behind him.
Yasuo Hashimoto of Japan won the women’s division in 2:26:32. A record number of 30,837 runners reached the finish line. After 29 years race director Horst Milde who invented this marathon retired and handed the baton to his son Mark who serves in this position until today.
He was the runner-up at the 2012 BERLIN-MARATHON when everybody who watched got the impression that he was holding back to let his training partner win the race. In 2014 it was his turn to win the BERLIN-MARATHON. And Dennis Kimetto did it with style. The runner from Kenya became the first runner under the 2:03 barrier clocking a new world record of 2:02:57.
Three women under 2:22 h was a record for the BERLIN-MARATHON.
“As this is a big competition, implement your training well in the race and run with full confidence.” – This is Mare Dibaba’s advice for all runners racing in Berlin.
Mare won the marathon world championships in Beijing 2015 and is ready to toe the starting line of the 2019 BMW BERLIN-MARATHON.
Interview with Mare Dibaba
Tell us your story. How did your love and passion for running come about?
After my participation in school competitions and victories I started to gain confidence. I kept on competing with my friends and started with regular training.
What motivated you to pursue a career as a professional runner?
My good results in school competitions.
What was your biggest success so far and which success was the most important for you?
My biggest success was winning the 2015 Marathon World Championship in Beijing. It was a very important victory for me, because I told myself and family that one day, I will bring home a gold medal for my country. At the 2015 World Champion that dream came true.
Which traits do you most appreciate about yourself?
My strong capacity of taking my work seriously. I am able to maintain focus and don’t get distracted from my work by any other situation around me.
What is your life motto?
Work hard, be respectful, and plan.
In your opinion, what makes a strong athlete, what skills and characteristics do they require?
Having a good discipline towards athletic requirements, focusing on work, and following the instruction of coaches.
Who is your athletic role model? What inspires you?
Fatuma Roba and Derartu Tulu from the previous generation. And Tirunesh Dibaba from the current athletes.
What kind of message do you want to give to women who are looking for a career in running?
My advice to women who want to run is to stay strong and keep a healthy base. The situation around them may be difficult when they progress towards their goal but, they have to say “no” to things that will hold them back. Most important is to listen to coaching instructions and give full attention to work.
What does your life look like outside of competitive sports?
Mostly, I spend my time working at home and spending time with my family and watching movies.
To what extent has success in sport also contributed to success in your life?
Sport (Athletics) has changed my life completely. Before, I didn't even have a cent for public transportation, but I am now standing by myself and even help my family to have a better life.
You are a powerful woman—tell us more about it.
I come from a family of farmers and I was helping my family in house holding throughout my childhood, this gives me strength to pursue my athletics career.
What is your life motto?
Never give up stay strong.
Why do you want to race the BMW BERLIN MARATHON?
Since the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON is in a good season and has a flat course, it's a good race to run fast and improve my PB.
What motivates you on days when things are not going so well?
My patience and knowing there are also tomorrow.
Do you have any tips for the participants in the BMW BERLIN MARATHON?
As this is a big competition, implement your training well in the race and run with full confidence.
What is your goal for the BMW BERLIN MARATHON 2019?
My goal is to improve my personal best in the 2019 BMW BERLIN-MARATHON.
When Heinz Frei crossed the finish line of the BERLIN MARATHON for the first time in 1985, he had no idea how often he would repeat this feat. The pioneer of wheelchair sport left the competition in the metropolis on the Spree behind him a total of 20 times. The successful Swiss top athlete has collected three world records, several world championship titles and Paralympic gold medals.
As an authentic speaker, he shares his stories and experiences with his fellows and, with his positive attitude, is regarded as a role model for a conscious lifestyle and courage in life.
Born 1995 in Eritrea, he came to Germany at the age of 16 and promptly joined an athletics club. Since then, he has been collecting medals and records non-stop at national and international level, both in track and road races as well as in cross-country. An absolute highlight of his career: In 2023, he set a new German record at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON in 2:04:58 h. Petros, who also holds the German record for the half marathon distance (1:00:09 h), is not only a true Berlin Legend, but also a member of the Marathon Team Berlin.
