Der Berliner Mauerweglauf

§staticmap(9226,5,450,250)Hello, on August 20th 2011, you’ll be organizing the 100MeilenBerlin. Can you tell us where it is located? The 100MeilenBerlin follows the trail of the Berlin Wall. It runs along the former border between East and West Berlin. Basically it is a great trek around western Berlin starting in Kreuzberg on Lobeckstraße. Kreuzberg is very multi-cultural and especially popular amongst artists and creative people, such as musicians. This is the inaugural race. Why was it created in the first place? Indeed, the 100MeilenBerlin is a sport competition, however; it is also about the need to remember. In August 1961, Berlin was separated and with that sealed the fate of numerous people. By participating the runners are reminded of the victims of the Berlin Wall and their desperate struggle for freedom and democracy. Therefore, it was decided for a generous time limit of 30 hours to allow any athlete from nearby and abroad the opportunity to participate. Credit : 100MeilenBerlinWhat kind of route have you set up for the runners? How would you describe it? It is a varied route. First, there are traces of the Wall and the former border to discover. On the other hand, running the Wall trail will show Berlin from all sides for the most part. There are more urban city sections with many famous sights like the Brandenburg Gate, East Side Gallery, or the Reichstag, yet it will also run through forests and past meadows and fields where one comes close to nature. The course of the trail shows how broad and diversified Berlin became after the reunification. It is important to note that the trail is not closed so you must observe traffic lights or railway crossings. Credit : 100MeilenBerlinHow many runners do you expect on Saturday morning? What type of runners do you plan to attract? At the 6:00 AM start, we expect over 100 participants from the quick ambitious runners to the carefree runners who take their time and enjoy the run in their own way. After all, they have at least 30 hours. Enough time to experience Berlin’s history and to determine their own limits. Do you organize other races during the Week-End? If so, on what distances? For now there will only be this 100 mile run. Eventually we may hold relays but this is not yet determined. Credit : 100MeilenBerlinAt that time of the year, what kind of weather can we expect? Naturally it can be quite warm, temps from 25 to 30° C are not a rarity but it can also be rainy and rather cool. A precise weather prediction in Berlin is next to impossible – one should be prepared for all weather. Have you planned festivities around the race? We will host a “pasta party” on the evening before as well as a breakfast before the start and a “noodle feast” after the race. In addition there is a panel discussion planned a few days prior with the theme: “The Wall and Sport in Berlin". The race finished, what advice would you give a runner who has never been to Berlin before? A good restaurant, a fancy sightseeing? A beautiful location is certainly the “Schlot” which is an artistic hangout in the center of Berlin. Great atmosphere offering jazz for all. More info at: www.kunstfabrik-schlot.de In a single sentence, what would you tell the readers of ahotu Marathons to make them register for the 100MeilenBerlin? Only those who run the 100MeilenBerlin will truly know Berlin! Interview with Alexander von Uleniecki Alexander is running crazy since he started in 2003. He has completed over 150 marathons but he is nevertheless always taking a look at the normal life of people around him.