Berlin Wall Race 2024 – Nothing changes as quickly as a plan

What will we think back to when we think about the Mauerweglauf 2024? We have a few ideas…

It was the first time in the history of the run that the news came less than two weeks before the start
that the previously planned start and finish area could not be used due to unforeseen difficulties at
the construction site there. So what to do? As we are used to as ultra runners, we didn´t spend too
long despairing and found a new solution with the responsible authorities within a few days.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Berlin-Mitte district once again for making this
possible and, above all, SV Nord Wedding, who did everything they could to ensure that we could not
only hold the event but also feel really comfortable at the new venue! Thanks, of course, to all the
participants who reacted flexibly and understandingly, making our work much easier. The “only”
things left to do within a few days were to change the route, scheduling and logistics, obtain new
permits, reschedule helpers and communicate all of this accordingly. So we were never bored – many
thanks to everyone who contributed to making all this possible in their respective positions.

And then it was actually Saturday, August 17, and we were ready to go! The individual runners were
sent out on the course at 6:00 a.m. and the relay team starts began an hour later. The Berlin Wall
Walk also took place for the first time this year, starting on Saturday evening at the market square in
Teltow. There were a total of nine starting waves at half-hour intervals, which could be chosen freely.

The weather was once again a challenge for everyone involved. Although the sky often remained
overcast, the humidity was already high in the morning, and this not only made running difficult, but
also led to stomach and circulatory problems for many participants. While there were only brief rain
showers on the course, the helpers in the stadium had to deal with a heavy thunderstorm in the
afternoon and did their best to bring everything important to safety.

As always with (very) long runs, plans have to be changed and adapted again and again if
circumstances require it. While some participants were able to meet or even exceed their
expectations, many others had to cut back on their goals or drop out for health reasons. Those who
were able to fight their way through despite all the problems certainly had the support of the
numerous volunteers along the route to thank, some of whom were also on their feet for more than
24 hours to provide refreshments, comfort and encouragement.

Another premiere this year: for the first time, a participant managed to repeat his victory at the
Mauerweglauf: Ivan Penalba Lopez from Spain crossed the finish line after 13:52:02 hours, improving
his winning time from 2021 by almost 15 minutes. His partner Carmen María Pérez Serrano crossed
the finish line after 15:16:33 as second overall and first woman – congratulations and felicidades to
the “power couple”!

Norman Mascher-Aspensjö (SCC Berlin) – the 2022 winner – came second in the men's race and third
overall in 15:52:21, with Sven Herder (SG Dynamo Dresden) third in 16:23:41. Irene Kinnegim from
the Netherlands took second place in the women's race in 16:14:04 hours, finishing fourth overall!
Lenka Berrouche from Czechia came third in 17:58:01 hours.

The first two-person relay team was “Andi Andi Andreas vs. Tommy and Maximilian” (AS Zeuthen,
14:32:18 hours) ahead of “Marla” (Berlin Harriers, 16:25:27 hours) and “Die Invaliden” (Warburger
SV, 18:55:28 hours).

There was a new course record in the 4-person relay: the team “all gas kein brakes” (Berlin Harrier)
crossed the finish line first after 11:40:56 hours, ahead of “LGU and friends” from LG Ultralauf
(13:16:53 hours) and “Siblings4run” (Potsdam, 13:18:33 hours).

The winners of the 10+ relay were the “Optimistic Runners” from Russia in 12:07:58 hours, followed
by the “Boulderhalle Eberswalde” team (13:14:40 hours) and the “Top Ten” from the Berlin-
Brandenburger Laufclub (13:27:18 hours).

We congratulate all finishers and wish those who were unable to complete the race a speedy
recovery and good luck next time.

At this year´s run, we remembered Silvio Proksch, who was shot dead at Christmas 1983 at the age of
21 during an escape attempt at the Pankow III cemetery. His family only officially learned of the
circumstances of his death in 1990. We do not want to forget that life in freedom and legal security is
a valuable achievement that must always be actively lived and protected.

Once again, we would like to thank everyone who made this run possible, especially our
approximately 450 volunteers for their great teamwork this year under special circumstances! We
wish everyone who took part a good rest, great memories and of course we are always pleased to
receive constructive feedback.

All results 2024

Here are the statistics: