Race Date: Sunday 6th April 2025
Race Report by: Hannah Wright

Berlin Half Marathon (the last of my SuperHalfs era)

Lisbon (12/3/23)
Copenhagen (17/9/23)
Prague (6/4/24)
Cardiff (6/10/24)
Valencia (27/10/24)
Berlin (6/4/25)

About the SuperHalfs: 

It’s a series of six glorious half marathons that will take you to Lisbon, Prague, Berlin, Copenhagen, Cardiff and Valencia.

Complete these races in any order, in your own time. You will get your SuperMedal at the finish line of your last race!

Expo: 

The expo this year was Messe Berlin. There is no onsite parking at Messe but easily reachable via public transport. 

Race bibs and bags are collected at the expo. If you want to use the bag drop on the event day this has to be pre booked (I was glad I thought ahead and had pre booked this). If you don’t have bag drop you are given a poncho at the end to keep warm. 

The usual merch and sponsorships were at the expo. I managed to get my hands on a few free Maurten gels. 

Berlin Half Marathon: 

What can I say… it was amazing. The event was well organized and memorable (despite being an antibiotics and not in the best of health).

Start times:

09:15 am: Inline skaters
09:55 am: Wheelchair competitors and Handbikers
From 10:05 am: Runners (in several waves)

The start is located on Straße des 17. Juni, between the Brandenburg Gate and the Victory Column. Free transport with your bib on race day. 

Each wave had their own song at the start line. My waves song was Sweet Caroline… oh oh oh. 

The route took you round all the sights of Berlin. On route there was a rave tunnel, smoke machine and chance to sing karaoke whilst you are running. I was tempted as it was the Backstreet Boys ‘I want it that way’. 

The finish line was through the iconic Brandenburg Gate. At the finish I collected my Berlin medal and long awaited SuperHalfs medal…. What an incredible journey it has been. 

Results: 

The men’s race was won by Gemechu Dida (ETH) 58:43. The first female finisher was Fotyen Tesfay (ETH), with a female course record of 63:35. A new German record was set by Amanal Petrol who finished in 59:31. The fastest German woman was Esther Pfeiffer who finished in 69:15.

The winner of the handbike competition was Mathia Behr (GER) in 44:21. The first female finisher was Yvonne Pijahn (GER) in 50:09.

The winner of the wheelchair athletes was Thomas van Hulst  (NED) in 56:11.

The winner of the inline skaters race was Felix Rijhnen (GER) in 32:13. The first female finisher was Noraly Berber Vonk (NED) in 40:59.

Strider’s results: