• Name: Ingvar “Ingo” Johansson 

• Age: Unknown 
   
• Residence: Malmö, Sweden
   
• Skating since: 19080s on Quads
   
• Motivation to skate: Inlineskating gives me a feeling of flow and rhythm. 

• Quote: "Before I promised myself I am NEVER going to skate on wet asphalt in Berlin - but we had already reached the point of no return when it started."

Describe your feeling when you first got on skates? 

That is too long ago to remember. When starting again in 2000 the first thing I did was to do a hockey stop going downhill. My skate stopped very quickly but the body continued in the same speed and I landed on the side and had some serious "asphalt rash".

What does skating mean to you today and what motivates you to do it? 

I like skiing very much and skating gives me a similar feeling of flow and rhythm, getting around in a nice pace to enjoy the scenery. 

How do you keep fit and what do you do to keep improving? 

During the pandemic I started a routine to walk, run or roll everyday after work, with a long distance track along the beach (walking in the sand is good for the muscles in the foot). Malmö City Skaters have inline practice twice a week, I am tour guide on Sunday tours (20-30 km) and on long distance tours (more than 30 km) 

What does the BERLIN-MARATHON Inlineskating mean to you and why should you definitely start in Berlin?

I heard the expression "You own the asphalt" that describes my feeling of having the opportunity to skate on the streets in a city like Berlin with great atmosphere. Speed is not my focus, it's more to look around, take in the impressions (sightseeing on wheels), having a fun and good pack from the club. Even when it rained 2019 I thought it was fun. Before I promised myself I am NEVER going to skate on wet asphalt in Berlin but we had reached the point of no return when it started.

Your personal tip to a newcomer of the BERLIN MARATHON Inlineskating?

Be in time before start to enjoy the atmosphere. Do your best but focus on having fun. If you set a time goal, do it realistically and don't let it control the experience. Before the race, learn to roll in packs.

• Name: Werner Kaminski 

• Place of residence: Gelnhausen

• Age: 66
   
• Inline skater since: 1998
   
• Motivation to skate: Nowhere else is the dynamic of movement, speed and perceived lightness, coupled with power and elegance so pronounced. 

• Quote: "Skating at racing speed through the urban area of Berlin is wonderfully varied, with lots of curves and long fast straights all while in surroundings that are steeped in history.”

Werner felt a mixture of caution, curiosity, and amazement when he first put on skates. Soon he realized that "there is no other place where the dynamics of movement, pace and perceived lightness, combined with strength and elegance, are so prominent." Above all, skating in a team brings out the best qualities and leads to true enjoyment. " Whether in training camps with experts, with the club's trainers, or in workshops with external skaters, regular technique training is a must for him. That's why Werner founded a skating club where like-minded people could come together and motivate each other. "Because that's a special pleasure and brings speed because you save your strength and everyone else's strength adds up!"

Werner completed his first BMW BERLIN-MARATHON inline skating event in 2001 and has been an EXPERT MARATHON GUIDE since 2003. In 2005, he took over the organization of the guiding project and has been an integral part of the group ever since. "Skating at racing speed through the urban area of Berlin is wonderfully varied, with lots of curves and long fast straights, all while in surroundings that are steeped in history." The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON inline skating event brings competitors from all around the world, from professionals to recreational skaters in all age divisions. Thus, Werner finds the race to be a good season finale.

His tip:

Be well prepared, don't be over-motivated, don't try out any new equipment and enjoy the lap through Berlin and all the like-minded people. And join the GUIDES, then it will be fast and safe and relaxed and in the best company.

• Name: Josie Hofmann
   
• Age: 25 
   
• Place of residence: Gera
   
• Skating since: 2002
   
• Motivation to skate: Inline skating is a kind of freedom for me.
   
• Quote: "The highlight is the finish through the Brandenburg Gate. I think that shows the significance of this race."

Despite being only 25 years old, Josie already has 20 years of experience on skates and has achieved many successes along the way. Also on the ice. Nevertheless, the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON Inlineskating is something special for her.

How did you feel when you first stood on skates?

I can't remember that at all, it was in kindergarten. However, I was immediately so enthusiastic that my mum signed me up for the inline club as soon as she could. 

What does skating mean to you today and what motivates you to do it?

For me, inline skating is a kind of freedom. But as a competitive athlete, this sport means even more. I want to skate a bit faster every day and thus push my body further and further. The thought of standing at the top of the podium spurs me on every day.  

How do you keep fit and what do you do to keep improving?

I don’t only train on my inline skates. My training also includes cycling and running, as well as strength training. However, I spend the majority of my time on the wheels.  

What does the BMW BERLIN MARATHON inline skating mean to you?

The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON Inlineskating is simply unique. Rolling through the streets of the capital and being cheered on by the countless fans standing along the road is breathtaking year after year. The highlight is the finish through the Brandenburg Gate. That shows the significance of this race. Everyone who likes to skate should participate in this race. In Berlin, you realise that for so many people it's not just about a fast time. It's rather the coming together of people who love the same thing and have fun together. 

Your personal tip to a newcomer to the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON Inlineskating:

Just have fun. Don't put pressure on yourself for a fast time. With fun, fast times come all by themselves. Enjoy the atmosphere and the great course through Berlin. Meet new people and have a great weekend in the capital.

• Name: Sven Boekhorst 

• Age: 42

• Place of residence: Den Bosch, Netherlands

• Inline skater since: 1994 

• Motivation to skate: It became a way of living.

• Quote: “Still to today when I go out and skate if feels like playing outside for adults.”

Describe your feeling when you first got on skates?

Felt like floating over the asfalt. Such a great experience. Freedom.

What does skating mean to you today and what motivates you to do it?

It means more to me then just a hobby or sport. It became a way of living. It influence my taste of music, clothes, the friends I got all over the world. The adrenaline rush when you're building up for a tricks. Still to today when I go out and skate if feels like playing outside for adults.

How do you keep fit and what do you do to keep improving?

Try to pay attention to my food and a morning routine of stretching and planking.

But for sure I just try to skate at much as possible.

What does the BMW BERLIN MARATHON Inlineskating mean to you and why should you definitely start in Berlin?

Berlin Marathon means a great weekend with thousands of inline skaters all over the world sharing the same passion. Besides that it's such a unique experience to start at the brandenbuger tor and skate 42km through Berlin city centre with all those skaters and people watching the race.

Your personal tip to a newcomer of the BMW BERLIN MARATHON Inlineskating

Don't let the name Marathon scare you. It's not like running a marathon. If you're able to bike 42 km chance is big you can do the same on inline skates.

• Name: Pawel Ciężki 

• Year of birth: 1991 

• Place of residence: Kraków

• Inline skater since: 1999 

• Motivation to skate: Inline skating is a great balance to the stress of everyday life at work

• Quote: "The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON Inline Skating is simply a celebration of our sport."

At the age of 7, I got my first inline skates as a present from my uncle and was immediately enthusiastic about it. 

After the initial excitement, this overriding feeling of freedom quickly prevailed when I was on my skates. This feeling has remained to the present and gives me the opportunity to find balance in my strenuous everyday professional life. 

To stay fit, I like to cycle or go running in the Tatra Mountains with my girlfriend. And even though I'm quite happy with my skating technique, focusing on technique is an important part of any training. There is endless potential for improvement. For everyone.

For me, Berlin is THE marathon of the year and it also marks the end of the season. 

The atmosphere of this professional sporting event is palpable for every participant: no matter if you are a professional or an amateur. The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON Inline Skating is simply a celebration of our sport.

My personal tip for newcomer

Try "using" the group. It's simply fun to skate in a "peloton" – you can go faster and save a lot of energy.

• Name: Hiroki Totori 

• Year of birth: 1981 

• Place of residence: Tokyo

• Inline skater since: 1984 

• Motivation to skate: Skating is so much fun. Everyday it gets more fun.

• Quote: “Please don’t hesitate to join the line. There are so many skaters, so that you will surely find your rivals, friends and the best memories.”

“Skating is so much fun. Everyday it gets more fun.”

So Hiroki continued with this “cool sport” and made it to the National Team of Japan.
When he is on skates he finds new ideas every time. Besides skating, he also does Cycling to keep fit and even more challenging: vertical running, also known as “tower running”. In this competitive sport, the staircase becomes the track. Hiroki “always loves to talk with coaches and athletes from other sports as well.”

For Hiroki, the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON Inlineskating is comparable to World Championships, as all the strongest skaters participate. “But even nevertheless, it’s the most fun race in the world and it makes me very motivated.”

Hiroki’s personal tip

“Please don’t hesitate to join the line. There are so many skaters, so that you will surely find your rivals, friends and the best memories.”

• Name: Felix Rijhnen

• Year of birth: 1990

• Place of residence: Darmstadt

• Profession: Police Superintendent

• Team: Powerslide Racing

• Inline skater: since 1995

• First marathon in: 2001

• BMW BERLIN-MARATHON participation(s): 12

• Motivation to skate: Freedom, speed, elegance

• Motivation to skate the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON in 2022: Hells Bells at the start and the ride through the Brandenburg Gate

“For me, it means pure excitement every time I stand at the start and ‘Hells Bells’ sound from the loudspeakers,” says Felix Rijhnen, who never tires of competing in the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, even after twelve times: “The marathon is simply the supreme discipline for me.” Felix is considered to be the most successful German skater—and not just since 2019, when he became the first German ever to win the men’s race at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON. Felix lives for the sport. Even at 32, he is far from reaching the end of his career. His motivation still knows no bounds, as does his infectious enthusiasm and positive charisma.

Victory in Berlin was the fulfillment of his childhood dream

His unwavering willpower took Felix all the way to Beijing. Not at all surprisingly for many, he qualified for the German Olympic team in speed skating and showed that he is still a force to be reckoned with in the years to come.

But his heart—as he emphasises again and again—lies with inline speed skating. He has been doing this sport since he was five years old. In the course of his career, he has collected many titles and medals at European Championships. In 2017, he won his first gold medal at the World Championships in the 10,000-point race, and a year later he won the World Championship title in the marathon.

Winning the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON had a very special significance for him. “To someday win the biggest marathon in the world one day was something I dreamed of since I first participated, and that that happened in 2019 was simply phenomenal,” says Felix.

Victory in Berlin was the fulfillment of his childhood dream

For Felix, it is clear that every skater should participate in Berlin at least once.

It makes no difference to him what time you finish with: “The ride through the Brandenburg Gate simply can’t be topped.”

• Name: Sebastian Becker 
   
• Place of residence: Hürth near Cologne
   
• Inline skater since: 2002
   
• First marathon in 2005
   
• BMW BERLIN MARATHON participations in total: 12
   
• Motivation to skate: Why run when you can also roll!
   
• Motivation to skate the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON in 2022: Skating, meeting old friends, partying.
   
• Quote: "Definitely sign up and participate!"

Why run - when you can also roller-skate!

Sebastian came to inline skating through running. Actually, he wanted to run a (running) marathon and had been training hard for it when a friend recommended that he try the distance on skates first. "Just to know what I was getting myself into," says Sebastian. And that's exactly what he did - and has never "run" the marathon since!

To stay fit and improve, Sebastian rides his racing bike, goes for running and, in bad weather, sometimes to the gym. But nothing beats the "rush of speed in the great outdoors. As soon as the weather somehow suits, I have to get out on skates!"

The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON Inlineskating is the highlight of the year for Sebastian: "Skating, meeting old friends, partying. The whole scene meets there, from the pros to the ambitious recreational athletes to the rookies! And everyone has the same goal: to get to the Brandenburg Gate with lots of fun!

And slipstreaming is even more fun when there are so many participants! That's exactly why his personal tip for every newcomer is: 

"Make sure you register and join in!"

• Name:  Angelina Wong
   
• Age: 35 
   
• Residence: Hong Kong 
   
• Skating Since: 1991

When “Angie” got on her skates for the first time, she was four and a little bit scared of falling and refused to try it. But as soon as she put the skates on, she already knew how to skate and on that day she even learnt how to do backwards.

“Exploring the city at full speed - amazing!”

Vicky is motivated by this indescribable “feeling of absolute freedom. Exploring the world like that, testing limits and getting faster is simply fun.” That was true then and is still now.

“Skating is part of my life already and I would like to spread this passion to everyone and everywhere.

If she is not skating, she sometimes goes to the gym to stay fit and for improving her skating, she is watching a lot of videos and also signed as an international judge. For Angie, the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON ist the most important event in the year.

„It is the biggest inline skating marathon in the world, Berlin has the best surface of the road, also the atmosphere is super good and it’s a yearly celebration already.“
She also says that riding through the city is like a history lesson on fast forward for her as she passes by the many sights. 

Angie is not only an enthusiastic participant in skate events herself. She is considered "the queen on wheels" in China, there is hardly any event there that is not organised by and with her.

She infects everyone with her passion, politicians and athletes alike. She is also very committed to young people on wheels.

Angie’s tip if you want to go to Berlin: “Get prepared well with a lot of space in your phone because I am sure you will take a lot of photos.” 

• Name: Thomas Collin
   
• Nickname: Rocketman 
   
• Born in 1968
   
• Residence: Denmark
   
• Inlineskating since 2010
   
• Personal  tip to a newcomer of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON Inlineskating:  
  “Just do it… Everyone can participate no matter how fast you are. Come to the biggest family party on skates. There's room for everyone.”

“It started with Friday Night Skate and ended with BMW BERLIN-MARATHON Inlineskating and 24 h in Le Mans.”

Skating pushed Thomas a little bit out of his comfort zone but it was also very exciting. 
Night Skating through Copenhagen was a good opportunity to get used to it. 

“Now, akating is a big part of my life and it’s a big motivation to give back to the sport as a coach, what it has given to me. And also to see people's joy when they achieve their dreams.”

Skating, biking and some dryland exercises help him to keep in shape. To get better on  skates, he is doing a lot of the basic technical exercises over and over again.
 

“If I had to pick one race to participate in all season, it would definitely be in Berlin. It's the skating party of the year and it gives a great end to the skating season.”

Thomas’ personal tip to a newcomer of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON Inlineskating: 

“Just do it… Everyone can participate no matter how fast you are. Come to the biggest family party on skates. There's room for everyone. If you're not sure about getting around on your own, just sign up with Experts Marathon Guiding Service... they will help you through in the time you want, making the experience even better.”

• Name: "Big Birdy" Claus Vogel
   
• Place of residence: Düsseldorf
   
• Year of birth: a good one!
   
• Inline skater since: 1980 Quads, 1996 Inline
   
• Quote: "Just do it! If you participate regularly in inline skating nights, you will also be able to handle the marathon distance of 42.1 kilometres in under two hours. Everyone should experience the atmosphere for themselves at least once and just do it."

The group DUSFOR in Düsseldorf, then the nucleus of unorganised inline skating, motivated him to skate and to found Rollnacht Düsseldorf, which now has up to 5,000 regular participants. Back then, "Big Birdy", as Claus is also called, enjoyed the freedom of cruising through his own city as well as when travelling with his friends in boxer shorts and sweatshirt, jumping over stairs, going up and down hills and filming videos while doing so. Today, he still does it just like that - only with protective equipment and a helmet.

Conquering the world on skates together with friends.

To keep fit, Claus also goes to the gym, does yoga and rides his bike, with the attitude: "Just for fun, move freely!"

His favorite places to be are at the inline skate nights in Düsseldorf, Münster, Munich, Hanover, Brussels and Paris. And, of course, on vacation in Dubai, Ibiza, or France.

"The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON Inline Skating means relaxation. Just let it roll!"

"Berlin is the absolute highlight of the season, a MUST for every inline skater," says Claus. For the 11th time, after a successful season as an organiser of Rollnacht Düsseldorf, here he can simply enjoy skating with his "motivation squad" at the end of the field to help them experience the feeling of joy when they reach the finish.

His training tip for perseverance: "Just do it! If you regularly take part in an inline skating night, you can also complete the marathon distance of 42.1 kilometres in under two hours.

Everyone should experience the atmosphere for themselves at least once and just do it."

• Name: Viktoria Hartmann
   
• Year of birth: 1992
   
• Place of residence: Düsseldorf 
   
• Inline skater since: 1999
   
• Motivation to skate: The indescribable feeling of absolute freedom
   
• Motivation to skate the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON in 2022: to finish the season and enjoy the legendary party on Saturday evening
   
• Quote: "The atmosphere on the streets and along the course is always incomparable in Berlin. I still get goosebumps when I think about the music and the countdown at the start."

“Exploring the city at full speed - amazing!”

Vicky is motivated by this indescribable “feeling of absolute freedom. Exploring the world like that, testing limits and getting faster is simply fun.” That was true then and is still now.

Being fit through diverse training

Since Viktoria is currently not actively competing, she can simply glide along and “100% enjoy every moment on skates—like at the Rollnacht Düsseldorf, for example.” Or together with the motivation squad at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON. “Fortunately, you don’t forget the technique of skating so easily.”

To keep fit beyond that, Vicky likes to ride on a racing bike, go running and do yoga and calisthenics.

“The atmosphere on the streets and along the course is always incomparable in Berlin. I still get goosebumps when I think about the music and the countdown at the start.”

The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON is also the perfect event for Vicky to round off the season and meet up with all her friends and acquaintances from the inline scene once again “before it’s time for the winter break, so to say.” And don’t forget, of course, the great atmosphere at the legendary marathon party after the race—which was a very pleasant surprise the first time she participated.

Vicky’s personal tip to newcomers to the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON Inline Skating:

“Keep calm and skate on. The most important thing is not to make yourself crazy and to assess your own performance realistically so that you don’t start off too fast at the beginning. The general conditions of an event like this help ‘push’ one’s own performance quite a bit, so everyone who trains regularly or takes part in an inline skating event, such as the Rollnacht Düsseldorf, is sure to reach the finish line. Good luck, everyone!”