FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
High Honours for the real,- Berlin Marathon – "Marathon of the Decade"
For the first time in its history, AIMS, the Association of International
Marathons and Distance Races, is conferring a so far one-of-kind honorary
prize with the title: "MARATHON OF THE DECADE" – and the recipient is the
real,- BERLIN MARATHON.
AIMS is thus giving recognition to the important achievements of the BERLIN
MARATHON with is unparalleled series of world records over the past decade.
Six world records from 1998 to 2008 document the high quality of the Berlin
event – a performance never before achieved by any other marathon event.
20 September 1998 Ronaldo da Costa 2:06:05
26 September 1999 Tegla Loroupe 2:20:43
30 September 2001 Naoko Takahashi 2:19:46
28 September 2003 Paul Tergat 2:04:55
29 September 2007 Haile Gebrselassie 2:04:26
28 September 2008 Haile Gebrselassie 2:03:59
AIMS not only took the quality of the top performances into consideration
for this decision, but also the incredibly high number of runners (from
over 100 countries) who compete. With over 35,000 finishers last year, the
BERLIN MARARTHON ranks second in the world in participation.
The awards ceremony will take place on Tuesday, July 7, in the Berlin City
Hall in the office of the governing mayor of Berlin, Klaus Wowereit.
Francisco Borao/Valencia, vice-president of AIMS, who will attend in lieu
of the Japanese president, Hiroaki Chosa, will deliver the prize to the
governing mayor together with the General Secretary of AIMS, Hugh
Jones/London. The prize symbolically recognises the fact that the Berlin
Marathon serves as an important international figurehead and ambassador for
the city of Berlin throughout the world. Rüdiger Otto, as the managing
director, and Mark Milde, who is responsible for signing the top athletes
for the Berlin Marathon, will receive the prize from the mayor.
The Berlin Marathon began in 1974 under the direction of Horst Milde (Race
Director until 2004) with 286 runners in the Grunewald Forest; in 1981, the
race "moved" to the city with the start at the Reichstag; starting in 1990
after the fall of the Berlin Wall – with a then record number of 25,000
runners (the limit at the time) – and the live television broadcasting in
Japan, the marathon joined the ranks of the top events.
The fast and flat course in Berlin and the enthusiasm of the spectators,
together with the perfect organisation are the most important factors in
fostering Berlin's reputation as a city for runners.
"For AIMS, the Berlin Marathon is an excellent event, which we are proud
of, which has written international sport history through its success, and
which provides an excellent example of how through good cooperation with
the institutions in a city, sport can positively affect the lives of its
citizens," stated the president of AIMS, Hiroaki Chosa, in his
congratulatory greetings to the mayor and to the BERLIN MARATHON.
For further information contact AIMS Board Member Horst Milde at:
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