2024: Preview

Over 36,000 people from 134 nations are registered. Germany's aces, like Melat Kejeta and Samuel Fitwi, are using the marathon as a readiness test for the Olympic marathon in Paris, are hoping to qualify for the half marathon at the European Athletics Championships in Rome and are even aiming for the European record. The 43rd GENERALI BERLIN HALF MARATHON promises to be a huge sports festival to open the 2024 running season on the streets of the capital. And for the first time, it will be part of the "SuperHalfs"—a series of six top European half marathon races in Germany, Spain, Denmark, Portugal, Great Britain and the Czech Republic. In this digital event magazine, you will find all the information about Germany's biggest half marathon, which will take place in Berlin on 7 April 2024. We are not only presenting the favourites, but also people have their own special motivations for running their half marathons. Of course, it includes all the dates, the best photos from previous years and a preview of what runners and spectators can expect on the half marathon weekend in the capital, as well as lots of tips for the race and the supporting programme in Berlin.

THE COURSEThe amount of

THE COURSEThe amount of historical andcultural monuments that canbe seen here in a short space oftime cannot be matched by eventhe most brisk of visitor tours.CHARLOTTENBURG PALACEKM 4|5With the Victory Column at yourfeet and the Brandenburg Gatebehind you, the first few metresof the run are so spectacular.You run past the Technical University,across Ernst-Reuter-Platz and straight on for fourkilometres to Charlottenburg Palace.Here, where the route takesa sharp left towards Bismarckstrasse,the much-loved sambaband Alegria do Samba plays thedrums, which brings many spectatorsand fans to this hot spotalong the course to cheer onthe runners. Before turning ontoBerlin‘s most popular shoppingboulevard, Ku‘Damm, the routeruns for around three kilometreswith a detour past the idyllicLietzensee lake. A short climb isfollowed by a few hundred metres„downhill“ along Kantstrasse,where you can pick up speedfor the rest of the journey. OnKu‘Damm, the number of livemusicians increases, more andmore people line the course andthe atmosphere rises. Passingthe Kaiser Wilhelm MemorialChurch, the route heads straightacross Wittenbergplatz, hometo the famous KaDeWe departmentstore, and from Nollendorfplatzto Potsdamer Strasse.KM 15|16POTSDAMER PLATZ

MEMORIAL CHURCHKM 11|12se pass by in a crazy rush asyou head along the magnificentboulevard Unter den Linden tothe Brandenburg Gate, beforepassing through the landmark ofBerlin‘s separation just 150 metresbefore the finish. It is hard toimagine a more emotional finish.The course is flat and particularlyfast, so it is always good for anattempt to beat your personalbest time. The course is also veryspectator-friendly; many pointsBERLIN PALACEKM 18|19After Potsdamer Platz, you approachthe centre of Berlin withthe towering television tower onAlexanderplatz. With the tallestbuilding in Germany at 368 metresbehind you, you make yourway through the centre of Berlinpast Checkpoint Charlie, theBerlin Palace and the Gendarmenmarkt.This is Berlin‘s mostbeautiful square with the theatre,the French and the Germancathedrals, which is one of themost exciting hot spots alongthe route. From here, it‘s straighton to the final kilometres. Thecanbe easily reached by undergroundand suburban railway orby bike.– 49 –