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Our commitment
We move Berlin.
At the GENERALI BERLIN HALF MARATHON, we inspire more than 35,000 participants to lead an active lifestyle. At the same time, we create considerable economic value in the capital.
In addition to athletes from over 100 nations, numerous spectators follow the event along the route - and generate revenue. For example in the catering sector. What is more, wherever possible, we also favour regional service providers and producers for our event. In addition, we cooperate with a number of Berlin hotels so that special contingents are available for our event.
We help where the shoe pinches
Together with the Berliner Stadtmission, we collect well-preserved running clothes and shoes to pass on to people in need.
Whether well-preserved hoodies, training jackets or pants - much of what lies unused in runners' wardrobes is urgently needed by others. All the discarded clothing and running shoes we collect together with the Berliner Stadtmission benefit needy and unhoused people who depend upon the support of such clothing closets. This both helps reduce social inequalities and conserves resources, as the clothes and shoes get a longer life.
Green mobility
We have set up a free local transit BVG ticket as well as an event ticket for discounted travel by train.
There's no question about it: we are delighted to welcome participants from all over the world – even though we know full well that the journeys of the athletes and spectators account for by far the largest proportion of CO2 emissions at a sporting event like the GENERALI BERLIN HALF MARATHON. At events of this size, the CO2 footprint from travel is often higher than, for example, that of waste, accommodation and catering combined.
Accordingly, the journey to and from the GENERALI BERLIN HALF MARATHON poses one of the greatest challenges to emission reductions for the organisers. Our aim is therefore to create a wide range of offers that enable attractive and sustainable alternatives for all participants. For this we are also dependent upon the cooperation of all athletes.
Participants in the GENERALI BERLIN HALF MARATHON already receive a free local transit BVG ticket for travelling to and from the event. Participants can use all public transport in the Berlin fare zones A and B directly with their race bib on the day of the event (between 5am and 7pm). In addition, we have set up an event ticket for discounted travel by train.
Thermal blankets
For years, used thermal blankets have been pressed into bales and returned to the manufacturer where they are used again as a raw material for production.
The baling press is our champion in this process. The used thermal film foil blankets are pressed into bales and returned to the manufacturer. The recovered raw material is used to produce new thermal blankets. We do not put any year-specific branding on the foils so that the leftovers can be utilised in the following year.
Refreshment points
We offer refill stations for your own hydration systems at all refreshment points. In addition, we use more and more reusable cups made primarily from renewable raw materials. This serves our goal of continuously reducing the number of cups that end up as waste.
We use reusable cups made primarily from renewable raw materials at two of the four supply points along the course, which we collect, rinse and then reuse. We also collect the disposable cups from the other two supply stations separately and return them to the manufacturer, where they are recycled and reused for production.
We do not use commercially available reusable cups made of hard plastic at the refreshment stations in the race, as they pose a safety risk for runners. On the one hand, they pose too much of a tripping hazard, even if only a few of them end up on the road and not in the bin or at the side of the road. Secondly, broken hard plastic cups with their sharp edges pose too high a risk of injury.
With the new SPRINT reusable cup, which was developed for SCC EVENTS by experts from the Alfred Wegener Institute and the company CUNA, we are now testing a reusable cup that poses no risk to our participants. The new cup is made from a granulate that consists mainly of renewable raw materials. If the cup is defective after use or has reached the end of its service life after up to 300 rinses, it is recycled and the material can be reprocessed. Another advantage is that the cup has particularly good flight characteristics. This makes it even easier to ensure that the cup actually ends up in the bins and containers after use by the runners.
Waste separation
Besides avoiding waste, waste separation is one of our most important goals in terms of environmental protection. That is why we have implemented a waste separation concept both in the start-finish area and at the EXPO.
We have analysed waste streams and, based on this, placed the necessary waste bins in the start-finish area. What is more, this year, we will also be testing a waste separation station in the catering area, where volunteers will support participants to sort their waste correctly.
Similarly, we have also developed a waste concept at our EXPO to make it as easy as possible for visitors to dispose of their waste in the correct bins. In addition to providing and signposting the waste bins, we are also raising awareness among visitors to the GREEN LINE stand with an interactive competition with great prizes.
