Deutsche Post Marathon today Everything you need to know

BONN · On Sunday morning the 18th Deutsche Post Marathon will take place in Bonn. It’s the biggest sports event in the region. Over 12,000 participants from 36 nations are taking part. And the rain is supposed to clear during the morning. The Bonn police are updating their traffic info regularly online and on Twitter (bonn.polizei.nrw).

On Sunday morning the 18th Deutsche Post Marathon will take place in Bonn. It’s the biggest sports event in the region. Over 12,000 participants from 36 nations are taking part. And the rain is supposed to clear during the morning.

Also it’s raining heavily in Bonn at the moment, marathon participants are hoping that the weather will clear up during the morning. Here is everything you need to know about the 18th Deutsche Post Marathon.

1) What’s happening?

The Deutsche Post Marathon is the biggest sports event in the Bonn/Rhein-Sieg region and the highlight of the running calendar in North Rhine-Westphalia. Other big events include the marathon in Düsseldorf (April 29), where the German Championships take place this year, and in Cologne (October 7).

2) Where will the participants run?

In a loop which marks exactly half of the marathon distance (42,195 km) - for the whole marathon the runners have to do it twice. The starting point is at the Koblenzer Tor, facing North, after a few hundred meters the runners turn right onto the Kennedy Bridge, running seven Kilometers through Beuel before crossing it again. Then they’ll be running along the Rhine past the Post Tower before turning around near the Science Centre in the Rheinaue. Then they pass the 15-km-mark on the way back. The finish line is at the Marktplatz in front of the Alte Rathaus.

3) Which competitions are being held today?

8.30 am: Half marathon for hand biker and inline skaters.

8.45 am: Half marathon (21.0975 km).

10.30 am: Marathon (two rounds/loops) for single runners and relay teams.

4) How does Bonn rank countrywide?

In the hit list of all German marathon races 2017, as the magazine Spiridone found out, Bonn ranks 11th. Berlin is leading the list before Frankfurt, Hamburg and Cologne. Düsseldorf comes in as 6th, Münster 8th. In Bonn, particularly the half marathon is very popular, it serves as a perfect preparation for runners who take part in one of the city marathon races in two or three weeks’ time - like London (April 22) and Hamburg (April 29). Bonn had 5945 participants in the 2017 half marathon race, meaning Bonn is number seven in Germany in this list currently. In case that 500 more half marathon runners reach the Marktplatz, Bonn could be in 5th place again, ahead of Munich.

5) How many people are expected to line the streets?

This is an often discussed hot topic. Who counts the spectators in fabulous spring weather, which draws thousands into the city even without a marathon? It seems legitimate to count the passers-by too, who stop and frantically cheer the runners on. There are no official numbers, but when the weather is good, the organisers of the marathon estimate up to 200,000 spectators…

6) Can I still take part?

No, only as a fan or spectator. The last enrolment period ended on Saturday.

7) How high is the start fee?

70 Euro for the marathon, 55 Euro for the half marathon.

8) How do I prepare?

If you want to run a marathon, in Bonn next year or another one in the next few months, please don’t do this half-heartedly. The whole marathon distance requires at least six months of preparation. If you like the idea of running a marathon - go and watch it today and then find a proper training plan and take part in spring 2019.

9) Are top athletes taking part today?

The organisers don’t invite top athletes to give the best runners in the region a chance to shine and achieve some of the best results. The price money isn’t huge either:

For the marathon places 1, 2 and 3 the winners get 500 Euro, 300 Euro and 200 Euro - with a 100 Euro bonus for every minute under 2.30 hours (men) or 2.45 hours (women). In the half marathon, it’s 200 Euro, 150 Euro and 100 Euro for the first places.

10) And the weather?

At least it’s not cold, but a bit wet still in the early hours of today. Hopefully, the rain will clear away during the morning.

To all runners: Have fun, enjoy the run!

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