FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BMW extends BMW BERLIN-MARATHON title partnership
- BMW and the marathon of world records extend the partnership that has
existed since 2011.
- The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON on the fastest course in the world is one of
the six most important international marathon events, the World Marathon
Majors.
- Fully electric BMW i vehicles make an emission-free contribution to a
sustainable BMW BERLIN-MARATHON.
- 2:01:39 Challenge: German top-runners' relay team takes on the
marathon distance of the world record time.
BMW and SCC EVENTS, organiser of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, have announced
the extension of the title partnership, which has been in place since 2011,
at Germany's largest marathon. Today, the 42 fastest kilometres on the
international running calendar would have been started for the 47th time in
total and for the tenth time with BMW as title partner. Despite the
cancellation of this year's BMW BERLIN-MARATHON due to the Corona Pandemic,
first-class sport will be presented in the capital today: A relay team will
attack the marathon world record set by Eliud Kipchoge in the BMW
BERLIN-MARATHON 2018 on a course around the Victory Column.
"We have a lot in common with this sporting event, which is one of a kind
in Germany," says Florian Baumeister, Head of Brand Experience BMW Germany.
"You have the joy, the commitment and the absolute determination to push
oneself to the limit, which is what drives all the runners – whether they
are amateurs or among the best in the world. The BMW Group has placed
sustainability and the conservation of resources at the centre of its
focus. Extending the partnership with the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON is also an
expression of this ambitious commitment, as running is arguably the most
sustainable sport of all."
Over the past years and decades, BMW has repeatedly set standards in terms
of sustainability and has demonstrated this in the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON.
Since the beginning of the partnership, all-electric lead vehicles have led
the field: the BMW ActiveE (2011 - 2012), the BMW i3 (2013 - 2016) and the
BMW i3s (2017 - 2020). These models are part of the strong foundation on
which the BMW Group is building for the future. By 2030, the company has
committed itself to specific targets that include 40 percent less CO2
emissions from more than seven million electrified vehicles, 80 percent
reduction of CO2 emissions from production and sites per vehicle, and 20
percent reduction of supply chain emissions per vehicle.
"In order for our participants to continue to deliver top performances on
the course of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, they are also dependent on
cutting-edge technology and must use resources efficiently. In these areas,
BMW as a premium automobile manufacturer also sets the standards", says
Christian Jost, Managing Director of SCC EVENTS GmbH. "Furthermore, we are
united with BMW by our passion for sports. We are pleased about the
continuing title partnership with which BMW has been driving the BMW
BERLIN-MARATHON since 2011, literally without emissions.
Starting at 00:01 MEST on Saturday, nearly 15,000 of endurance athletes
from well over 120 countries have been on the road around the world to take
part in the 2:01:39 Challenge. This makes the Challenge one of the largest
virtual sporting events ever. The 2:01:39 Challenge is all about covering
as many kilometers as possible in 2:01:39 hours, whether in running shoes,
inline skates or by hand bike or wheelchair. 2:01:39 hours corresponds to
the world record time set by Eliud Kipchoge in 2018 at the BMW BERLIN
MARATHON. Participation is possible until 23:59 MEST today. In addition,
top athletes are currently competing in women's, men's and skating relays
to beat Eliud Kipchoge's marathon world record in a race around the Berlin
Victory Column.
About the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON
The BMW BERLIN MARATHON is one of the largest marathons in the world. To
date, eleven world records have been set on the superfast route (3 by
women, 8 by men). Since 2003, all seven men's world records have been
achieved on the Berlin route, including the current one in 2:01:39 hours
(Eliud Kipchoge), set up in 2018. In 2001, a woman achieved - for the
first time - the dream to undercut 2:20 hours. The Japanese Olympic
champion from 2000, Naoko Takahashi, won in 2:19:43 hours.
The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON is part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors (AWMM),
the group of six leading marathons in the world which was founded in 2006.
They comprise the marathons in Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and
New York.
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