you live in Canada and have travelled this weekend to the half – marathon and Berlin- not for the first Time. What is the appeal of the event for participants from all over the world?

As I started to run, I would have never expected that I would be traveling to international competitions. But I had great luck that it has developed. In the meantime, I’ve participated in a few international races, and great people met. Running is often seen as something you do alone.

wrong?

I have learned that it is a very community-oriented Sport, and has developed into an international movement. The stimulus to travel to races, is therefore also meeting old friends again and new. It’s always a great Reunion. We have all trained hard and look forward, the other back. In the case of large races such as the Marathon and the half marathon, local country teams organize events and Meetings for runners before the race and then a great Celebration.

As a Marathon and half marathon are different in Berlin from the other races?

Berlin is fast, flat route is known. Than I ran last year in Berlin, broke Eliud Kipchoge, the world record. This is already something very Special, something to experience. There were pre-race events with him and the other top runners. That was very inspiring and uplifting to hear him speak.

And the mood of the Day?

In Berlin to cheer a impressive for many people. And there were many excellent musicians that played along the route. I would have stopped to take it all in in peace, if I would not just run a race. It is a city with a heavy past, and at the same time, it is a city that really knows how to celebrate. And a German special feature: gets You at the end of a Erdinger beer presented-however, alcohol.

What are the parts of the route you like best?

I love to run through the different quarters and to see so many familiar, iconic places, from the victory column, the Reichstag, the Potsdamer Platz, and Berlin Cathedral. Also, it is just fantastic to run through the streets of a major city. Normally everything here is full of cars, and we all move to the foot, this is a fantastic feeling.

And what are the biggest challenges?

The last six, seven kilometers. You’re physically exhausted, it is a challenge. But then you walk Under the Linden and the goal at the Brandenburg gate – this is an incredible experience. It is a surreal feeling to walk through this gate. If you know Berlin’s history and in this way, the presence of experienced, an experience that is humbling.

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Berlin half marathon in 2019 to Run, watch run…!

Thomas Loy

The Interview was conducted by Lars von Törne