In 2009, four Kenyans

In 2009, four Kenyans finished in under one hour, and five did so in 2012. Word got out that the Berlin Half marathon course is as fast as that of its big brother marathon. In 2018, the Kenyan Eric Kiptanui broke the course record set by compatriot Patrik Makau (58:56 minutes) in 2007 with a winning time of 58:42 minutes. This was the fifth best time ever achieved by a runner worldwide. The number of participants has exploded since 2010 After having stagnating numbers of participants early on, the 10,000 mark was exceeded for the first time in 2001. From then on, an enormous influx of runners from all over the world began. This was favoured by the growing popularity of the half marathon course and the professional organisation of the organiser, SCC EVENTS. SCC EVENTS was and is able to contribute its rich experience and the entire know-how gained through organising the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON. Already by 2010, the BERLIN HALF MA- RATHON reached the 1996 level of the BERLIN-MARATHON, with 19,687 finishers. Thereafter, the number of finishers rose steadily, going above the 25,000 mark, and in 2002, the inline skating competition was add-ed to the program. Since then, this competition has also become an internationally renowned address for inline skating. In 2019, around 1,300 skaters took part. The race has moved its route around several times since the fall of the Berlin Wall. After 1991 and the traditional start on Karl-Marx-Alle, the start and finish were later moved around the corner next to the Congress Hall at the big square, Alexanderplatz, then later on they relocated to the boulevard Unter den Linden, then on the Schlossbrücke am Dom near - 41 -

the cathedral, then next to the Rote Rathaus (Red City Hall), then onto Leipziger Strasse and finally, for several years until 2018, back to Karl-Marx-Alle. Due to prolonged construction work, this area be-tween Alexanderplatz and Strausberger Platz had to be abandoned. Since 2019, the start and finish area has been almost identical to that of the BWW BERLIN- MARTHON on the Strasse des 17. Juni. After a longer stretch through the former western part of the city, the route takes you across Potsdamer Platz along the old route past Checkpoint Charlie. The Gendarmenmarkt has been added to the sights along the course, with the course circling around it. Formerly located at the beginning of the route, the boulevard Unter den Linden and the Brandenburg Gate now are located at the end of the course, which finishes off a perfect sightseeing tour through the German capital. Since 2010, the number of participants has exploded. And in 2019, the relocation of the start/finish area to the Brandenburg Gate and the introduction of the new main sponsor Generali provided a further boost - 42 -