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The Running Year 2004 began at noon at the Brandenburg Gate

It was also a family race

2004-01-04

At noon sharp, the district mayor of Berlin Mitte, Joachim Zeller, gave the starting shot and sent nearly 3,600 cheerful runners down the course. Due to an injury, Mayor Zeller was unfortunately not able to participate, but he is in preparation for the 24th Bewag BERLIN HALF MARATHON on 04.04.04.

After the New Years Eve Run the day before, the Berlin running community met again for the 33rd Berlin New Years Day Run, a charity run for UNICEF, this time on the Pariser Platz in front of the Brandenburg Gate, which was already cleaned up after the New Years Eve festivities, in minus 2°C weather. Accompanied by good music, the MC John Kunkeler called the runners and spectators to donate to the Childrens Fund of the United Nations. At the traditional start of the running year in Berlin, “breakers“ organised by SCC RUNNING slowed the masses of participants down to an easy jogging tempo. The police supported the runners by clearing the streets with their cars for a free course. The 4 km FUN RUN, conceived as a charity run for UNICEF, which led down the boulevard Unter den Linden to the Lustgarten and around the Berlin Cathedral, took place under the eyes and applause of numerous strolling spectators and tourists.

The runners were applauded by spectators enjoying champagne at the ice bar of the Adlon Hotel at the start. The most prominent participant was Werner Sonne from the ARD television studio, and the front man of the RBB Running Movement, Hajo Seppelt, led the start as well, which was decorated with flags and colourful balloons.

It was also a family race, with baby joggers out at a jogging pace, from an 89-year-old senior and walker to a wheelchair racer. Even some dogs had their starting numbers with the year 2004 and the UNICEF logo. All participants received the obligatory certificates at the finish, as well as the traditional Berlin jelly donuts. Hot tea supplied by the German Red Cross helped raise the participants temperatures after the race. With this successful starting run on New Years Day, SCC RUNNING can placidly look forward to the running year 2004. The first highlight will be the 24th Bewag BERLIN HALF MARATHON on 04.04.04. Approx. 18,000-20,000 participants from over 60 countries are expected.

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