Off to the new season with the Berlin New Year's Run

^{Over 4,200 runners took part in the Berlin New Year's Run 2024 ©SCC EVENTS/Sebastian Wells [OSTKREUZ]}

First event by SCC EVENTS in 2024

The Berlin New Year's Run is a source of historic running events. Sports historians truly enjoy the history of this event organised by SCC EVENTS. You can find out more about what the run at the Brandenburg Gate has witnessed over the years in the article History à la Berlin. In general, it is worth spending some time on the Berlin New Year's Run website. It has had a new look for a few days now and is full of details about the event.

From the Berlin New Year's Eve Run to the Berlin New Year's Run

The sweat dripping from some participants had not yet dried from the Berlin New Year's Eve Run when they were back at Pariser Platz to get active again. The Berlin New Year's Eve Run is considered the last race in the Berlin and Brandenburg running calendars and is enjoying ever-increasing popularity. Days before the event, SCC EVENTS, the organiser, announced that no more late registrations could be accepted on site, as all starting places had been allocated in advance. The exclusive medals awarded to all finishers for the first time in 2023 certainly contributed to this success story.

For a good cause at the run at the Brandenburg Gate

Traditionally, there are no medals at the Berlin New Year's Run, but there is also no entry fee. Instead, donations to the Björn Schulz Foundation are welcome. In addition to cash payments on site, it was and still is possible to support this good cause via an online donation platform. The Björn Schulz Foundation provides relief to families with children, adolescents and young adults suffering from life-shortening illnesses, among other things through the Sonnenhof hospice and various outpatient services in Berlin and Brandenburg.

^{The Berlin New Year's Run 2024 was once again marked by an exuberant atmosphere along the route ©SCC EVENTS/Sebastian Wells [OSTKREUZ]}

Endurance sports community gathering at a jogging pace

Just as there are no medals and no entry fees for the Berlin New Year's Run, there is also no timekeeping. This fact is not only accepted by all participants, but also very much welcomed. After all, the Berlin New Year's Run is a gathering of the entire endurance sports community, who want to welcome the new year with a jog. In addition to experienced athletes, this event also attracts newcomers and those returning to the sport with the aim of fulfilling their New Year's resolutions. They are joined by running tourists and curious onlookers. A certificate handed out on site confirms the achievement of everyone, from veterans to rookies. But first, it's time to run.

Once to Berlin Cathedral and back on the first run of the year

Adorned with colourful jerseys, flags and celebratory paraphernalia from the previous night, a lively group of over 4,200 runners set off at 12 noon. Actor Falk-Willy Wild, in his role as ambassador for the Björn Schulz Foundation, gave the starting signal. The four-kilometre route led from Pariser Platz along the magnificent boulevard ‘Unter den Linden’ past the Adlon, the State Opera, the Humboldt Forum to Berlin Cathedral, across the Spree and back again. On the way back, the athletes passed the Bud Spencer Museum, where just a few hours earlier, a party had been held to welcome in the New Year and bid farewell to the Bud Spencer exhibition after almost 1,000 days.

A peaceful and cosmopolitan New Year's greeting at a relaxed running pace

A few metres further on, the runners in the 2024 Berlin New Year's Run were greeted at the finish line just before the Brandenburg Gate with warm drinks, donuts and the first certificate of the year. This was a peaceful way to welcome in the new year, in contrast to the scenes that unfolded just a few metres away from the route on Alexanderplatz on New Year's Eve. A big thank you goes to the volunteers. Right at the start of the year, they not only lent a helping hand, but also created a fantastic atmosphere, promoting Berlin as a cosmopolitan city.