Dear Skaters of the 30th real,- BERLIN-MARATHON and skating enthusiasts,
The summer has reached its climax, the weeks until the real,-
BERLIN-MARATHON are flying by, it is time for you to start with longer training
sessions, but it is also time for us to fill you in with details about this
years event.
It is now official: The police have Okayed the marathon for the skaters for
Saturday, September 27th. The start will be at 4:00 p.m. There were a few
restrictions regarding the course, however: A few classic shopping areas had to
be left out, so that the course will no longer pass across Hermanplatz,
Kurfuerstendamm or Potsdamer Strasse (but will go through Potsdamer Platz). We
will be publishing the final course for the skaters in the next few weeks on
our web page. All other sightseeing points of interest will still be on the
skaters course, however.
The change in course has also made it possible for us to make one potential
danger zone less dangerous: the finish for the skaters will be at Pariser
Platz, just in front of the Brandenburg Gate. This way the skaters will not
have to weave through the small spaces between the pillars of the Brandenburg
Gate at the end of the race, when speeds are up to 50 kph. The weaving of the
course and cobblestones, both factors that could lead to accidents, will be
taken out of the race, so to say. Of course all skaters will still be able to
skate through the Brandenburg Gate.
It will be about 100 metres past the finish line, and you will be able to
roll through the Gate triumphantly. After passing through the Gate, you will
have about 300 m of the runners final stretch before you reach the regular
finish area with refreshments, assistance, and care.
There will be refreshments for the skaters along the course as well. There
will be water stations at the 20, 30, and 35 km points. As it is always
somewhat dangerous to stop at the refreshment points, we would like to ask you
to carry your own refreshments and to use the water bottles distributed with
your race numbers.
You should keep your Saturday evening free here in Berlin. After the race
there will be an awards ceremony on the stage on Pariser Platz, followed by a
party with lots of music. You will be receiving further information about times
and locations in the next few weeks along with your confirmation of
participation, which you will need in order to pick up your starting number.
Please note that you must pick up your race number by 12 noon on Saturday,
September 27.
As the limit of participants has not yet been reached, the registration fee
will not be raised as was planned on August 9, and skaters will continue to be
able to register for 70 Euros until August 29.
Nothing works without volunteers: The expansion of the event over two days
not only pushes the organisers to the limit, it especially means more to do for
the volunteers. Help us to continue do the best job for you. We would love to
have your family, friends, colleagues, and relatives volunteer as helpers. As a
thank you, they will receive an adidas raincoat and have the feeling of being
part of a great thing. Several skaters have already said they would like to
help out along the course on Sunday for the runners. Whether on Saturday or
Sunday, we are thankful for every helping hand we can get. If you are
interested, please contact us at crew@berlin-marathon.com
SCC is offering two more opportunities to train for 30th real,-
BERLIN MARATHON:
- on August 9, the City Night, a 10 km race on a mild summer evening through
the city centre, always a great atmosphere. The start is 7:30 p.m. http://www.berlin-marathon.com/events/citynight
- on August 24, the 2nd Xrace Around the Golden Else, a new event with great
potential... so to say, an insiders tip.
The "XRace Around the Golden Else (Victory Column)" in 2002 was
the first Just-Inline-Race in Berlin, initiated and organised by the SCC XSpeed
Team, by skaters for skaters. The course is a flat and fast circuit around the
Victory Column, between the Tiergarten train station and Entlastungsstrasse.
Start and finish are on Altonaer Strasse, a road that branches off from the
Victory Column.
Five weeks before the real,- BERLIN MARATHON, the Strasse des 17. Juni, from
the Tiergarten train station to Entlastungsstraße, belongs to the
skaters. A good opportunity to check your condition and technique, to test out
your cooperation and tactics with your skating team under real competition
conditions, or as a beginner, to gather your first real competition
experiences.
There will be four races to choose from at the 2nd XRace Around the Golden
Else:
1. "Open A" Race Half Marathon (Time Limit 50 min.) Start 2:45
p.m., five rounds, 21,095 km, the race for experienced skaters.
2. JBC-Elite Mens Marathon (Time Limit 1:25h) Start 4:00 p.m., 10 rounds for
the national and international top skaters.
3. JBC-Elite Womens Half Marathon (Time Limit 45 min) Start 4:01 p.m., 5 rounds
for the best womens teams (German and international).
4. "Open B" Fun-Half Marathon (Anticipated times of 1:30h) Start 5:45
p.m. Last but not least: 5 rounds for everyone--beginners to experienced
skaters.
It is worth it in any case: The Xrace, with the JBC-Elite Marathon/Half
Marathon, is the third station and official timed race of the Jever Blade
Challenge (JBC) 2003, the most important German racing series. As are all JBC
races, the JBC Mens Marathon, as well as the JBC Womens Half Marathon, are
qualified licensed timed races of the German skating association, the Deutscher
Rollsport und Inlineverband (DRIV).
To register go to: http://www.davengo.com/e.php/en/8DF89248
Your Skate-Team of the SCC