News Archive

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