News
Start and finish of the 30th real,- BERLIN-MARATHON
within the political centre of Germany - Get to the start early—it is a long way
2003-09-09
In time for the 30th anniversary of the real,- BERLIN MARATHON, the start and finish areas have been relocated to the most symbolic part of the capital: To the boulevard Straße des 17. Juni, between the Brandenburg Gate and the Victory Column (Siegessäule) – and the preparation and recuperation areas lie between the Federal Chancellery and the Reichstag.The preparation and recuperation areas are in the same spot this year, so participants can pick up their clothing bags where they handed them in before the race—in the area called the “Platz der Republik“. Storage will be provided in the Schenker trucks, which many participants may recognise from previous years. With the start and finish together, the logistical problem of moving the trucks is solved.
Map in high resolution
The “Platz der Republik“, which is closed off with a fence with gates, is open (from all sides) exclusively for the participants before the start. Due to the extensive preparation necessary, the entrance to the start will open at 1:00 p.m. on September 27 for the skaters, and at 6:00 a.m. on September 28 for the runners.
Please note that due to logistical reasons, family members, friends, etc. will not be permitted into this area, which also serves as the post-race area.
There will also be considerable street closures in the area of the start/finish, and parking will not be possible nearby. We suggest that you use public transportation.
The nearest stations (S-Bahn=elevated railway, U-Bahn=subway) are:
- S-Bahn Lehrter Bahnhof/Hauptbahnhof (north)
- S-Bahn Unter den Linden (east)
- U-Bahn Friedrichstraße (east) – with the U 6
- S- and U-Bahn Potsdamer Platz – with the U 2 (south)
- Busses 100, 187, 200, 248, 341 and 348 will be on schedule up to shortly
before the start.
After handing in your clothing bag at the appropriate truck (sorted by race numbers), just follow the signs to the start on Strasse des 17. Juni.
This year, the starting blocks are not marked by colour, but by letter. The letters represent the best time submitted by each participant and can be found on the race number. Runners who did not submit a best time start in the last block (“H“).
The size of the starting blocks was determined according to the times submitted. So—please “be true to your letter“ when finding your block. Access is only possible from the sides (and from the back for the last block). Please get to your block on time, where you will also have space for stretching exercises. Please also note that the walk to the start is longer this year — so get going on time.
Attention: Please be careful when you enter the blocks—especially the skaters—as the ca. 30 cm fence around the Tiergarten Park could not be removed at the entrances. So keep your eyes open and feet up!
Dear participants, please use the amply provided toilets. The trees and bushes in the Tiergarten are already hurting enough from the dogs (and Love Parade).
All clothing left at the start will be considered a donation and collected by the “Brockensammlung Bethel“ of the Bodelschwingh Institution for a good cause. There will be no more chance to “just look for my house key quickly“!
The starting line goes from 24 m in the preparation area to 2 x 8 m mat widths. Nonetheless: Do not push at the start. Each chip starts your own net time.
After spending a short while on the 42 km course, you will cross the Pariser Platz and go through the Brandenburg Gate, and after passing over another 300 m you will cross the finish line directly in front of the Soviet Memorial and the spectators in the stands. Don forget to smile, your picture will be taken. After you receive your medal, you will reach the recuperation area with the warming foils, water and lots of volunteers providing care and refreshments on the Straße des 17. Juni.
In order to be able to use the extensive area of the Platz der Republik in front of the Reichstag, we ask for your understanding if it gets a little tight in the area around the refreshment area. You can either use the path back to Entlastungsstraße or go through the Tiergarten to John-Foster-Dulles-Allee. You will receive the same care and refreshments at the end of both paths! Helpers will open and close the pathways accordingly.
In both John-Foster-Dulles-Allee and Entlastungsstraße you can get a massage. Afterwards, you can get your photo taken by the company “Marathon-Foto“. This is the area for returning your chip, as well. The clothing trucks and showing facilities will be in the area around the Platz der Republik. The large lawn will also provide enough space to relax.
The family reunification area is south of the Reichstag near the fenced off area. You can meet your friends and family alphabetically according to letter. Certificates and souvenirs for the real,- BERLIN MARATHON (including the Finisher t-shirt) will be available north of the Brandenburg Gate.
Note for spectators:
The entire recuperation area is fenced in, in order to facilitate optimal care
for the participants. Understandably, spectators will not be permitted in! The
only way to cross the course in the finishing area or Pariser Platz is
underground via the subway station Unter den Linden.
We wish our guests from near and far a healthy final training and a good trip to Berlin. We wish you lots of fun and success at the 30th real,- BERLIN-MARATHON 2003, the running experience of the year.
Sincerely,
The organising team of the real,- BERLIN-MARATHON
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