MARATHON. Around 250

MARATHON. Around 250 runnerstravelled directly fromPrague to Berlin to run a halfmarathon in the Czech Republicon Saturday and thenagain in Berlin less than 24hours later on Sunday.A total of 35,583 people finishedthe half marathon at theBrandenburg Gate – yet anotherrecord. The previous bestwas 32,989 in 2024. Beforethe pandemic, the highestnumber was 28,670 in 2019.But in Berlin, it’s not just aboutthe numbers – we want toensure that each participanthas the best possible personalexperience. And this approachclearly works, as thecomments at the finish lineshow – you can read them inthis digital magazine on pages106 to 143. The 44th GENERA-LI BERLIN HALF MARATHON2025 sold out even earlierthan any of its predecessors,meaning there will be a drawingfor race entries for thefirst time in 2026 (more onthis on page 105).The partially revised coursewas also well received. Onceagain, the 21.0975-kilometreroute through Berlin wasinto a sightseeing tour onthe run, passing many of theGerman capital’s most iconiclandmarks. In 2025, the finalsection of the course becameeven more attractive, offeringspectators and runners alikea special atmosphere in thestretch between the BerlinPalace, Alexanderplatz, Karl-Marx-Allee and Museum Island.The organisers of the GENE-RALI BERLIN HALF MARA-THON have also long workedwith their partners to maketheir running events moresustainable. A key part ofthis is the involvement of theparticipants – something thatwent especially well in 2025:– 64 –

European success factor: The six SuperHalfs races – in Berlin, Prague, Cardiff,Lisbon, Copenhagen, and Valencia – continue to inspire happy finishers and fuelthe half marathon boom.At the HALF MARATHONEXPO, a running shoe donationcampaign was held withBerliner Stadtmission (BerlinCity Mission), collecting wellpreservedtrainers for peopleexperiencing homelessness orin need.A total of 443 pairs of shoeswere collected, almost all ofwhich were suitable for reuse.Just before the start, runnersdonated more than 5,252 kilogramsof used sports clothingto the Berlin City Mission, tobe passed on to those in need.– 65 –