A summer night of records: at the adidas Runners City Night, thousands of runners and skaters take to the illuminated Kurfürstendamm
- Record number of participants
- Spectacular course record
- A colourful summer evening of sport
- The new Race Village is a hit
More than 16,350 runners and skaters made for yet another record-breaking and vibrant summer evening in City West. The adidas Runners City Night, which took place today, Saturday, is THE running and skating event of the summer, combining elite sport, grassroots sport, an urban party atmosphere and diversity like no other event.
About the adidas Runners City Night
The adidas Runners City Night, organised by SCC EVENTS, is one of the most atmospheric and largest 10-km runs in Germany. The fast course along Kurfürstendamm offers both amateur and elite athletes the perfect setting for personal bests and a sense of community in the heart of Berlin, over distances of 5 km and 10 km.
More than just a race: the adidas Runners City Night celebrates the running and skating lifestyle
The adidas Runners City Night is a striking demonstration of how running has become a true way of life these days. Sport and lifestyle merge in one huge, colourful community party. Dubbed ‘Berlin’s fastest night’, the race organised by SCC EVENTS transformed City West into the place to be for the running and skating community: with creative partner spaces, a new Race Village, a great team atmosphere and loud cheering along the route. The high demand for the event speaks for itself – the 10-km race was fully booked weeks in advance, with 11,600 participants. In addition, just under 4,400 runners took to the 5-kilometre course to run their first ‘five’ or chase their personal best. Around 420 inline skaters also got the evening rolling in style.
A sea of lights, cheering zones, pure excitement
The fast circuit along the atmospherically illuminated Kurfürstendamm once again proved to be a sure-fire way to achieve personal bests. Carried through City West in all four directions, bands, DJs and thousands of fans spurred the runners and skaters on – Adenauerplatz, in particular, was transformed into a buzzing cheering zone. It was particularly refreshing just before the refreshment stations, where extra showers had been installed so that participants could cool down a little before reaching the station. The participants experienced the emotional highlight behind the Gedächtniskirche, just before Wittenbergplatz: beneath the digital finish line, the finish area offered not only well-deserved applause but, as every year, a special medal as a memento of a unique evening.
New start/finish area
Whilst the start remained at its usual spot on the Ku’damm near Joachimstaler Platz, the finish area had to be moved a few hundred metres towards Wittenbergplatz this year due to roadworks. However, this did not affect the smooth running of the event or the well-organised guidance of participants in the area behind the finish line, where well-deserved refreshments were, of course, provided.
Race material pick up for a good cause
This year, the race material pick up took place at BIKINI BERLIN. Anyone who still had sports shoes or trainers in good condition at home could drop them off directly there into the collection box run by the Berliner Stadtmission. In total, over 200 pairs of shoes were collected, which the Stadtmission will pass on to people who urgently need them.
Inline action on the grand boulevard
At 6.00 pm sharp, around 420 skaters kicked off the event, setting the tarmac alight with a fascinating blend of speed, technique and elegance. Among the skaters, Josie Hofmann from Team Powerslide Vesmaco was the clear winner of the women’s race. Unfortunately, the top German skater fell short of her course record with a time of 16 minutes 27 seconds. She then went on to compete in the runners’ 10-kilometre race, as did the men’s winner (see below). The women’s podium was completed by Lilly Weidener (TAX) and Leni Hoffmann (SCC Skating).
Alexander Bastidas (SRC Berlin/IKKBB Pure Racing Team) was once again the dominant athlete at the event. The defending champion celebrated his eighth victory at the adidas Runners City Night in a time of 15:16 minutes. He was followed by Tobias Hecht (Hecht-Customboots) and Guido Hegener (IKKBB – SCC Skating).
5-km euphoria
An hour later, at 7.00 pm, the nearly 4,400 participants in the 5 km race took advantage of the fast course to set numerous personal bests – with Anne Gebauer (Berlin Track Club) finishing in 16:46 minutes ahead of Basmala Iraqi (Top4Running) in 16:50 minutes and Luisa Mlinzk (LG Telis Finanz Regensburg) in 16:56.
In the men’s race, Elias Kolar (LG Telis Finanz Regensburg) won in 14:25, ahead of Felix Hüttig (LAC Olympia 88 Berlin) in 14:29 and Louis Charbonnier in 14:42. Particularly impressive were the support along the route and the enthusiasm and joy as the runners crossed the illuminated finish line.
New course record and fast times for both men and women
The largest field of participants in the history of the adidas Runners City Night set off at 8.00 pm on the high-energy course, renowned for producing personal bests. Over 11,600 runners experienced a thrilling race characterised by a lively party atmosphere.
Kifle Kefyalew (ETH) from SV Fun-Ball Dortelweil set a spectacular course record. He improved on Hendrik Pfeiffer’s previous record from last year, bringing the time down from 28:27 to 28:03 minutes. This means breaking the 28-minute barrier on Berlin’s tarmac is now well within reach. He was followed by Aaron Bienenfeld of Düsseldorf Athletics in 28:29 minutes and Jake Smith (GBR) of Pontypridd Roadents in 28:31. These podium times once again underline the high sporting standard of the adidas Runners City Night.
In the women’s race, Esther Pfeiffer (Düsseldorf Athletics) won in 31:20 minutes, well ahead of Fabienne Königstein (Hannover 96) in 31:57 minutes and Anna Langerwisch in 32:17 minutes. The runner from Marathon Team Berlin thus once again confirmed her current form, raising hopes for further successes.
