Supporting Programme
From a cheering spectator to a jubilant World Championships player
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity not only to experience the atmosphere of the World Championships as a spectator, but actually to play a real part in the action. The moving images of the finish of the men’s marathon on August 22, 2009 (starting at 11:45 am) are still fresh in your mind, the sweat from those elite runners is still wet on the pavement, and just a few hours later at 3:45 pm all running enthusiasts can follow in the footsteps of the world champion - a unique chance to be in the middle of the action.
The very special pre-start phase
Forget the stress that you usually feel before the start - you have picked up your race number on one of the two days before the race, and now you can simply enjoy the men’s marathon final live. The overwhelming enthusiasm along the course and the special entertainment provided around the Brandenburg Gate as part of the 12th IAAF World Championships in Athletics berlin 2009™ will get you in the mood and up to working temperature. Time for a little stretching before the start, and you are ready for your unforgettable and once-in-a-lifetime chance to “participate” in the World Championships in Berlin.
The original World Championships Marathon Course
In order for all of the participants to really be able to enjoy this race, the 10 km loop will only be run once rather than four times, as is the case for the marathon. The course ends just a few metres past the Brandenburg Gate, the colossal historic edifice and the best-known symbol of the city worldwide. Could there be a more impressive backdrop for the finish gate?
The finish is not the only highlight, for the course through the centre of the city is like a sightseeing tour, leading past the Holocaust Memorial, Potsdamer Platz, the Victory Column (Siegessäule), Bellevue Palace, the Federal Chancellery, the Central Train Station (Hauptbahnhof), the Reichstag, the Bode Museum, the Lustgarten, and the German State Opera (Deutsche Staatsoper) with the final stretch down the grand boulevard “Unter den Linden”.
At the finish
Even if you do not finish among the top three, a “World Championship” medal and certificate are guaranteed at the 10 km Champions Run. After the event you can relive your experience together with thousands of other runners and spectators, refreshed and rejuvenated at one of the many culinary booths.
Look forward to this unique experience and register soon - the number of starting slots is limited.
