Commemoration. Emotion. 100 miles. The Berlin Wall Race
The Wall Race annually remembers the construction of the Wall and the victims of Germany’s separation. The 100-Mile course leads around Western Berlin and matches the former course of the border. The finisher medal will again show the portrait of someone who lost his or her life in an attempt to vanquish the barbed wire and concrete. Patron of the race is the former GDR civil rights activist Rainer Eppelmann.
What is there to know about the Berlin Wall Race? It is mostly flat and paved, runs partly through urban areas, but also through forests and along meadows and fields – a course rich in variety. In 2017 the course will be run counterclockwise, thus following the Wall Trail to the south after starting at Jahn-Sportpark.
A specialty: Due to its length and the time limit of 30 hours (for solo runners, 27 hours for relays) the course is not cordoned off, thus encounters with cars, bikes and pedestrians are likely. Due to this reason the Road Traffic Act must be followed at all times! That a runner can be incredibly fast even with red traffic lights was proven to be true by Markin Perkins in 2014 with a new course record. It took the Brit only 13 hours and 6 minutes to complete the 100 miles!
The popularity of the event, which has been held since 2011, is also due to the 400 volunteers along the course. They do not only supply the runners with drinks and food at 27 aid stations, but are motivation and comfort at the same time. One more reason not to give up along the way!
A unique finisher medal is awarded to everyone who finishes the race within the time limit. Solo runners, who have completed the 100 Meilen Berlin within 30 hours in 2016 and 2017, will also receive a Back-to-Back Medal. And finishers, who have completed the course successfully within 24 hours, will in addition receive a 100Meilen-Buckle.
The Berlin Wall Race is organized by LG Mauerweg.
Course record holders are:
Mark Perkins: 13:06 (2014) and
Patricia Rolle: 15:57 (2015)