Running Friendship Put to the Test at “die Generalprobe”

The running event “die Generalprobe” organized by SCC EVENTS, serves as a benchmark for participants on their way to the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON. Some runners, however, view this event independently of the marathon taking place four weeks later. What many of the starters at the Dress Rehearsal have in common is that they come from Berlin or the surrounding area. But not all of them.

^{Over 4,900 runners, both young and adult, took part in the 2025 Generalprobe. © SCC EVENTS / Petko Beier}

Running connects: in this case Hanover – Berlin

Sascha travels from Hanover to Berlin for the Dress Rehearsal. He has been running for years—long distances, shorter races, sometimes just outside Lower Saxony’s capital, sometimes at the marathon in Malta. One constant in Sascha’s running life was Christine. For a long time, they ran together at the “Lauftreff Herrenhäuser Gärten.” In this small but fine running group, they were by far the most active ones. There was hardly a week when they didn’t lace up their shoes together at least twice. After a rainy run this past January, Christine confessed to Sascha that she was leaving Hanover and moving to Berlin.

Resolutions set in motion: Off to the capital!

When Christine moved a few weeks ago, Sascha naturally helped her. During their final farewell run on their often-chosen home route, the two promised to stay in touch. Now, we all know how such promises sometimes turn out: out of sight, out of mind. Not this time. Just a few days into their running abstinence—Christine hadn’t even unpacked all the boxes yet—the decision was made: a sporty reunion in Berlin had to happen.

Sweet reunion with a slightly bitter aftertaste

Berlin is no unfamiliar ground for Sascha. Medals from the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON and the GENERALI BERLIN HALF MARATHON already decorate the walls of his home office in Lower Saxony. The quarter- or half-marathon distances of the Dress Rehearsal, however, were not yet on his bucket list, but the timing was perfect. They both signed up quickly—just in time, as shortly afterward the race, with around 4,500 participants across both distances, was sold out. On the Friday of race weekend, Sascha already headed to Berlin, leaving plenty of time for sightseeing, spaghetti ice cream, and a strategy talk. Then, on Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m., the moment came. After more than 400 youngsters showcased their talent in the Bambini run, Sascha also heard the starting signal. For Sascha? Why only Sascha? Someone was missing.

Past Christine, Franz Kafka, and a thatched roof

Unfortunately, Christine had to withdraw. An infection, together with a course of antibiotics, kept her sidelined. But she made up for it with a proper kitchen party on Friday night. Runners don’t just know how to run—they know how to celebrate too. So on Sunday morning, Sascha had to take on the challenge alone, with Christine cheering from the sidelines. The first stretch carried him down Schloßstraße past the “Bierpinsel”—that mushroom-shaped building Berliners can only take with humor. Further down Schloßstraße, past the old town hall from 1898, he turned into Grunewaldstraße. Here, one historic Berlin residence lines up after another. At number 13, Franz Kafka spent his last winter in 1923/24. Sascha continued along the street until reaching Königin-Luise-Straße, where the thatched-roof Dahlem-Dorf subway station appeared—a design personally approved by the Kaiser. Just across the street lies the Domäne Dahlem, once famous for its milk, now home to a farm shop and museum.

On the way with dog, boar, snake, and Rainer Maria Rilke

At kilometer 3, Sascha entered Pacelliallee. To the left is the cemetery of the St. Anne parish, where Rudi Dutschke is buried. Soon after, he passed the rectory of Martin Niemöller, the resistance fighter of the Confessing Church. The avenue is wide and green, and soon the Stauss Villa appeared on the right—once the headquarters of the U.S. city commanders, later used by the Foreign Office. Shortly afterward, Sascha reached the Platz des Wilden Ebers, well known to him as a cheering hotspot during the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON. Continuing along Rheinbabenallee and into Hundekehlstraße, he passed number 11—once home to Rainer Maria Rilke. Here Rilke wrote The Lay of the Love and Death of Cornet Christoph Rilke in a single night. Today, nothing remains of the villa, but the place is still special. Finally, the Hanoverian reached Rüdesheimer Platz. In May, wine flows here at the Rheingau Wine Fountain. Nearby stands “The Snake”—a high-rise building through which a highway runs. Once controversial, today it is a listed monument. Past the Rheingau district, kilometer 9 was already behind him. After one final right turn at Friedrich-Wilhelm-Platz, Sascha hit the home stretch, where Christine greeted him with joy.

^{At the finish line, Christine waited for Sascha and symbolically handed him his medal. © SCC EVENTS / Petko Beier}

Marathon Team Berlin with two course records

As the organizer of “The Dress Rehearsal,” SCC EVENTS had every reason to be pleased with the early sell-out. A total of 4,520 participants registered for the quarter- and half-marathon distances through southwest Berlin. In addition, 402 Bambini ran along Schloßstraße in Steglitz. The numbers once again confirm how deeply running has become rooted in society. Movement in running shoes is more than sport for young and old—it has become a lifestyle. Among the adults, Susan Witte (TSR Olympia WHV) won in 37:57 minutes and Joshua Wragg (Rotherham Harriers) in 33:43 minutes over 10.5 kilometers. Over the 21.0975 kilometers, Johannes Motschmann from Marathon Team Berlin triumphed with a new course record of 64:02 minutes. The women’s half marathon was won by Kristina Hendel, also from Marathon Team Berlin, in 1:14:07 minutes—another course record. With these promising results from Marathon Team Berlin (Sebastian Hendel finished second in the half marathon in 66:10 minutes), the anticipation for the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON continues to grow. In the best running weather, many participants rounded off the sporty morning by chatting over a refreshing Erdinger Alkoholfrei.

^{Kristina Hendel from Marathon Team Berlin claimed victory in the women’s half marathon with a course record. © SCC EVENTS / Petko Beier}

^{Johannes Motschman (left) won the half marathon with a course record, ahead of Sebastian Hendel (both Marathon Team Berlin). © SCC EVENTS / Petko Beier}