2021

Finally, the time had come again: The 'BERLIN-MARATHON Jubilee Club world' had waited a long time – too long – for everyone to get together at the start, and it was time for me to finally jump into the cold water at my new position.

Anja looks back on her exciting first BMW BERLIN-MARATHON as Jubilee Commissioner

It was such an exciting experience to organise the Jubilee Lounge at the EXPO and the honouring of the new Jubilee members, both on Saturday for the skaters in the VIP area and on the race Sunday on the Reichstag lawn!

I felt a bit queasy stepping into such big shoes, which Constanze Feistkorn left for me and who is now enjoying her more than deserved retirement.

A textbook start or "potential for improvement"? 

Of course, something promptly went wrong – how could it go otherwise the first time . Unfortunately, the banner for the Jubilee runners in the Jubilee Lounge at the EXPO became a game of searching for the right bib.

All of the Jubilees who visited the Jubilee Lounge quickly noticed that their names did not match the bib numbers, and vice versa (my mistake). Every beginning is hard, and I now know that this will not happen again.

There is something to be said about that, too. Besides, I trust in my Jubilee community, which has long since forgiven me and granted me "puppy protection" for this mistake of mine (thanks for that, ).

Personal moments of joy 

Even though it was a very intensive and, above all, nerve-racking time of preparation for such a big event, the fun and joy outweighed it all in the end. I finally got the chance to meet some of the Jubilee members in person, whom I had previously only known through phone calls or e-mails.

Welcoming our "new Jubilees" at the celebration after the race and my brief meeting with Michel Descombes – Jubilee member since 2004 – and probably the best-known Frenchman at the BERLIN-MARATHON, are definitely among my personal highlights.

Tip of my hat 

In addition to all the other jubilees, I was very impressed by the achievement of our member Tim Jansen – a club member since 2010. At only 42 years of age, he ran the BERLIN MARATHON for the 20th time. He has now run a total of 100 marathons. A mega achievement, and I tip my chapeau to you!

If you want to know more about him, you can read his story in the current Finisher Magazine 2021.

The new one bestows the honours on the new ones 

The official acceptance of the new Jubilee Club members during the ceremony on the day of the event was also very exciting – for both sides, for me and the new Jubilees. It was simply crazy to look into so many happy faces, full of joy and euphoria.

For me, it was an unforgettable experience that will give me goosebumps for many years to come. These are emotions that never become routine. Here, also thanks to my great volunteers, everything went like clockwork. After several hours of non-stop talking at the Info-Point, the moderators' voices were already a bit sore, but that didn't affect the great atmosphere.

The photographer even took out his camera again for a few late-comers.

Here, too, a big thank you to all those who made this moment unforgettable for our "newcomers".  

Special thanks and much anticipation for 2022

A very big, fat thank you for the great support goes to the department heads Simone and Martin Knab, Thomas Köppe and all the hard-working volunteers in the Jubilee Lounge at the EXPO. THANK YOU!!!

I'm already looking forward to September 2022, and I'll do my best for you... you're amazing!