Incredible atmosphere” at the S 25 Berlin – Germany’s oldest city run is getting younger and younger

16. May 2022

Deborah Schöneborn comes second / 500 children at the start for the first time – State Secretary Böcker-Giannini: “A great sign for the sports metropolis Berlin” / Running Festival “complete success”

BERLIN. More than 500 children – more than ever before in the 41-year history – took part this Sunday [15. May 2022] at the S 25 Berlin. Mariia Mazurenko triumphed in the “big ones”. The Ukrainian, who fled from the war in her homeland and lives in Düsseldorf, needed 1:28:31 hours for the 25 kilometers through downtown Berlin. Berlin’s long-distance ace Deborah Schöneborn (1:29:43 hours) finished second like last year. Kenyan Vincent Kiprotich (1:17:24) was fastest among the men. Together with around 7000 other running enthusiasts, they turned the heart of the capital back into
a sporty sightseeing tour that takes you past numerous sights.

“Great weather, great route, great run,” said Dr. Nicola Böcker-Giannini. Berlin’s State Secretary for Sport has already run the S 25 herself, this time she gave the starting signal together with Frank Weidner, company spokesman for the Berliner Sparkasse, and LSB President Thomas Härtel. After the athletes of the longer distances (25 km, half marathon, 10 km, 5×5 km relay), around 500 five to 13-year-old youngsters also set off on the approximately two-kilometer course in the direction of the Berlin Olympic Stadium. Never before have so many children taken part in the traditional event. dr Nicola Böcker-Giannini: “That’s a great sign for the sports metropolis of Berlin.”

For the first time part of the S25 program was the “Lauf Festival” on the grounds of the Berlin Olympic Stadium on this sunny Sunday – with numerous activities for children and a “Chill Area” with a picnic area, food trucks and much more. “The premiere of the running festival is a complete success,” said race director Martin Seeber. “It was nice to see how the athletes and their families took advantage of the offers and how everyone spent a nice Sunday together at the Olympic Stadium.”

Deborah Schöneborn (1:29:43 hours) also had a lot of fun, coming second like last year but four minutes faster than in 2021. “This month is for enjoying. It’s such a great experience walking the streets of Berlin. You are carried by the people. So many people are calling your name here at the S 25,” enthused Deborah Schöneborn and laughed. “It doesn’t matter that half calls out ‘Debbie’ and the other half Rabea. It’s just great!” Berlin’s long-distance ace, who together with her twin sister Rabea is one of the best marathon runners in Germany, was only beaten by Mariia Mazurenko (1:28:31) in her home race. The Ukrainian also managed to qualify for the half marathon world championships on the streets of Berlin (01:13:14). “Wow, this is my first time in Berlin, this fast track is just great. The S 25 is a special experience for me.” The 24-year-old Ukrainian lives and trains in Düsseldorf after fleeing. Mariia Mazurenko: “I’m just happy today.”

Berlin 15.05.2022 S25 Foto: Tilo Wiedensohler/camera4

Fabian Clarkson from Berlin crossed the finish line in the Olympic Stadium with a big smile. At his home game, he needed almost one and a half minutes less than last year for the 25 kilometers. “It was really fun,” said the athlete from the SCC Berlin Marathon team. “The track is a dream. I have never experienced such an amazing atmosphere in any other city. I still have a lot planned for this year here in the Berlin Olympic Stadium. I want to run the 5,000 meters and the 3,000 meters steeplechase at the German Athletics Championships.”

At the S 25 Berlin, the participants started in front of the Olympic Stadium and – after the “stations” Victory Column, Brandenburg Gate, German and French Cathedral, Potsdamer Platz, Kurfürstendamm, Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church and Radio Tower – ran to the finish on the famous blue track in the Olympic Stadium . Distances over ten kilometers, the half marathon distance, the traditional 25 kilometers as well as a relay competition for teams (5x5km) and a children’s run were offered. The S 25 Berlin is part of the “Berlin is running!” series. It continues with the VOLVO animal park run on 10./11. September. All information and registration at www.berlinlaeuft.de.

These are the winners at the S 25 Berlin 202222