Berlin New Year's Run kicks off the 2025 season at a running pace

_{4,300 runners started at a relaxed pace in the 2025 Berlin New Year's Run ©SCC EVENTS / Petko Beier}

Kick-off for SCC EVENTS in 2025

The 52nd edition of the Berlin New Year's Run once again provided special moments for participants from many nations. Regardless of whether they were still celebrating shortly before the start or had been actively running in the Berlin New Year's Eve Run the day before, the 4,300 participants on New Year's Day had one thing in common: cool asphalt instead of a warm bed was their first choice.

23 hours between the Berlin New Year's Eve Run and the Berlin New Year's Run

A Berlin speciality: two traditional races so close together. Less than 24 hours between the 47th edition of the New Year's Eve Run at Teufelsberg in Grunewald and the 52nd New Year's Run at the Brandenburg Gate.

Some double starters rubbed their eyes in amazement. Had some of the participants in the Berlin New Year's Eve Run not changed their clothes and turned up at the start in the same costumes as the day before?

Days before the race, the organiser SCC EVENTS announced that the last run of the year was fully booked! 3,277 participants had registered in advance for the Berlin New Year's Eve Run – more than ever before! Once again, all runners – whether in costume or classic running gear – enjoyed medals and donuts at the finish line. Some even made it up the Teufelsberg twice in glorious sunny weather. Once at running pace and then with their race numbers for free admission to the Winterzauber (Winter Magic) on the highest elevation in Berlin's Grunewald forest.

Run and donate for a good cause

The Berlin New Year's Run traditionally focuses on other things rather than fast times. Participants combine two things: they put their first New Year's resolution – to do more sport – into practice straight away and also do good while running. The organiser of the Berlin New Year's Run, SCC EVENTS, has always waived participation fees and asked for donations instead.

_{Donations for the Björn Schulz Foundation at the Berlin New Year's Run 2025 ©SCC EVENTS / Petko Beier}

Over the past 14 years, donations totalling more than €60,000 have been collected for the Björn Schulz Foundation. The foundation supports families with children, teenagers and young adults suffering from life-shortening illnesses. It provides assistance through various outpatient services in Berlin and Brandenburg, such as the Sonnenhof hospice. In addition to cash payments on site, participants also made numerous donations via QR codes on their race numbers and certificates via an online donation platform, which will remain open until 27 January 2025.

From cycling to running: double starter and former professional cyclist Jens Voigt

After securing his well-deserved medal in the 10-kilometre Berlin New Year's Eve Run, 17-time Tour de France participant Jens Voigt also took part in the Berlin New Year's Run – but not before making his donation to the Björn Schulz Foundation. Alongside him, over 4,000 participants enjoyed the relaxed running pace without any time pressure at the start of the year.

^{Former professional cyclist Jens Voigt in good spirits at the 2025 Berlin New Year's Run ©SCC EVENTS / Petko Beier}

Actor and ambassador for the Björn Schulz Foundation, Falk Willy Wild, gave the starting signal for the runners at 12 noon sharp. The four-kilometre route also had plenty to offer sightseeing enthusiasts: from Pariser Platz past the Hotel Adlon, the State Opera and the Humboldt Forum to Berlin Cathedral, before passing the Neue Wache and Humboldt University on the way back. The participants were welcomed at the Brandenburg Gate by enthusiastic volunteers with certificates, warm tea and donuts.