Most visitors only seem to come to the marathon tent on Münsterplatz to get their starting numbers. Johannes Adenauer and his partner are an exception. "After we have our numbers, we browse around, that's a tradition for us," says Adenauer. After all, the two Bonners are already running the half marathon course for the "sixth or seventh time" on Sunday. Adenauer has already completed his final training: 13 kilometers with a stroller. "The little one slept well," he says.

There isn’t any product on offer at the marathon fair that covers the training method “with a baby buggy.” But there seems to be something for all other kinds of training. Farina Kaiser, who works as a "Brand Ambassador" for the manufacturer CEP and can be found at the stand of the Siegburger Laufladen, recommends compression stockings manufactured by her firm. "The pressure from the stocking is supposed to help the blood circulate better in the calf," she says. This should help to prevent sore muscles. Eugen Stier from TMX-Faszientraining (Fascia Training) offers so-called triggers to ease problems with muscles, using something like small rolling pins on the knotted muscles.

Gaby Müskens doesn't need those runners’ tools. She runs the marathon in the relay, together with her co-workers. She has also run the half marathon several times. "But it's just nice to be together," she says. Alexandru Popa also runs with a co-worker. For him, it's his first time at the half marathon. "For preparation, I've been running run ten kilometers a day ," says Popa. And he changes his shoes every 200 kilometers. But at the trade fair - where the selection of running shoes is very large - he didn't buy a new pair. Even if they are offered at "fair prices" ten to 15 euros cheaper.

(Orig. text: Stephan Korfe; Translation: ck)