Start at 10 a.m. at the Olympic Stadium / Deborah Schöneborn at the “home game” / New offers for the whole family / 7000 runners expected
BERLIN. The S 25 Berlin, Germany’s oldest city run, will transform the heart of the capital into an unforgettable sightseeing tour for sports enthusiasts from all over the world next Sunday, May 15, 2022, starting at 10 a.m. The final highlight: the finish is in the middle of the Berlin Olympic Stadium. And that’s where the S 25 goes into overtime: For the first time, the organizers are organizing a “running festival” on the stadium grounds, which not only has offers for the participants, but also primarily addresses accompanying persons. Among the 7000 active people on the streets of Berlin is Deborah Schöneborn (SCC Berlin), who uses the “fast 25er” to prepare for the marathon at the home European Championships in Munich. On Sunday morning, there are isolated road closures, especially in the west of the city center between 10 a.m. and around 2 p.m. (see overview for details).
41 years ago, the starting signal for the running movement in German cities was given in Berlin: On May 3rd, 1981, the first city run in Germany was held with the “25 km de Berlin”. The premiere was a great success with over 3000 participants. The now traditional route is considered to be particularly fast. For example, in 2012 the Kenyan Dennis Kimetto ran the 25 kilometers in 1:11.18 hours. His world record time is still unbeaten. Since 2017, after Berliner Sparkasse became the main sponsor, the run has been called S 25 Berlin.
“With the Olympic Stadium we have an outstanding location for this”
The running festival at the Olympic Stadium is new this year. “The S 25 is more than a run. Before, during and after the run, we want to create new offers for the whole family, for friends and relatives,” says race director Martin Seeber, who organizes the popular street running series “Berlin Runs!”. “Accompanying persons – whether young or old – should be able to experience a great Sunday morning at the S 25 like all participants. And after the races over the different distances, we celebrate together with the runners. With the Olympic Stadium we have an outstanding location for this.”
At the east gate of the Berlin Olympic Stadium – between the start and finish – there will be an extensive stage program, food trucks and a “chill area” with sun loungers and a picnic area. Also planned are an action mile with numerous offers such as the “best times bell” and a large “kids zone” with an “exercise tent” from the Berliner Sparkasse, Sparkasse, a game course by the “ISTAF macht Schule” team and a special one furnished baby carriage parking lot. Martin Seeber: “Especially after these pandemic years, which were particularly challenging for the youngest, we want to offer activities for the youngsters to join in and imitate. The focus is even more on the young athletes.”
This is also noticeable in the runs themselves: for the first time there will also be time measurement and individualized certificates in the children’s run over 2000 meters in addition to finisher medals. Over 450 young runners aged between five and 13 have already registered. The organizers expect a total of 7,000 active participants.
Sports enthusiasts start on Sunday, May 15, in front of the Olympic Stadium and run – after the “stations” Victory Column, Brandenburg Gate, German and French Cathedral, Potsdamer Platz, Kurfürstendamm, Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church and Radio Tower – on the famous blue track in the Olympic Stadium to the finish. Distances over ten kilometers, the half marathon distance, the traditional 25 kilometers as well as a relay competition for teams (5 x 5 kilometers) and a children’s run are offered. Registration is also possible on site.
Further information and registration at www.berlin-laeuft.de.
An interactive route map with transit times and information on traffic disruptions can be found here
