German
English
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At the annual conference of the interest group for renowned street races,
German Road Races (GRR), the association of the largest race organisers in
Germany, in Herborn on November 15-16, 2003, Harald Rösch (Ford Cologne
Marathon) was elected the successor of Erwin Rixen (Olympus Marathon Hamburg)
as the new spokesman of the organization. Horst Milde (real,- BERLIN-MARATHON)
retained his position as secondary spokesman. The 6-person board also includes:
Bernd Düngen (Rhein-Ruhr-Marathon)
Derk Kogelheide (RUN BERLIN/25km von Berlin)
Artur Schmidt (Adventslauf Herborn)
Gernot Weigl (medien.marathon münchen)
GRR was called to life in 1995 by the leading street race organisers in
Germany. In addition to representing their interests with i.e. the German
Athletics Association (DLV) and with diverse international committees, the aim
of the GRR is to secure quality standards for German road races, so that they
can continue to be competitive on a national and international level in the
future.
In 2003, the largest German marathons and road races almost all had record
participation and had to thus limit the numbers allowed. The members of GRR see
that as a confirmation of their successful work, and want to further this in
the future through increased quality requirement at their races, thus giving
the sport of running in Germany new impulses. Now over 30 race organizers (of
various course lengths) belong to the association, and more and more applicants
want to join.
The members of GRR are also striving to have the German Championships in the
10km street race and half marathon integrated into their races, as already in
the case of the marathon, so that there is adequate resonance from the
participants, spectators, and media. The GRR is also striving to have the
direct monies, which are paid to the state associations and DLV by the event
organizers, go directly to the support of the sport of running in Germany.