The 49th Berlin Marathon started without any problems. Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) gave the starting signal for Germany’s largest city run on the Straße des 17. Juni in the Tiergarten. A record number of almost 48,000 participants from more than 150 countries registered.
In good running conditions with temperatures around 14 degrees and the sky was overcast, Wegner did not give the starting signal, but instead gave the starting signal with a buzzer. “A start signal via buzzer is much more appropriate in times when war is being waged in Ukraine,” Wegner told the German Press Agency about not using a pistol.
The city leader had previously called on climate activists to refrain from protest actions. The Last Generation group had announced that they wanted to interrupt the marathon. Members of the group protested with actions in Berlin throughout the week. A week ago, activists sprayed the Brandenburg Gate near the marathon finish line with orange paint.
