THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
Enthusiasts are hoping that it will be a history-making event as the fastest marathoners on earth line up to race the 45th BMW Berlin Marathon on Sunday, 29 September.
Last year, Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge won the Men’s race in two hours, one minute and 39 seconds, smashing the world record in the process by a staggering 78 seconds, while his compatriot Gladys Cherono beat out two Ethiopians to win in 2:18:11 in the Women’s race.
Kipchoge, 34, is regarded as the greatest marathon runner of the modern era.
61,390 participants in total from 133 nations (and about 11,000 Breakfast-Run participants). 40,775 runners finished the race (28,443 men, 12,332 women).
The Berlin Marathon (branded BMW Berlin Marathon for sponsorship reasons) is a major running and sporting event held annually in Berlin. The official marathon distance of 42.195 kilometres is set up as a citywide road race where professional athletes and amateur runners jointly participate. Initiated in 1974, the event traditionally takes place on the last weekend in September.
The Berlin marathon is one of the largest and most popular road races in the world. In 2016, the race had 46,950 entrants (41,283 runners, 5,445 inline skaters, 185 hand bikers, 37 wheel-chairers) from 122 countries, and more than one million spectators. Along with five other races, it forms the World Marathon Majors, a series offering a $1 million prize purse to be split equally between the top male and female marathoners.
The event is split over 2 days. About 8,000 additional inline skaters compete at the marathon course the Saturday before the running event on Sunday. Power walkers, handbikers, wheelchair riders, and a children’s marathon (4.2195 km) are also part of the marathon weekend, which is organised by SCC EVENTS and currently sponsored by BMW.
Felix Dappah
