Grunewald's legendary cross -country run: A look back at 60 years of history!

Grunewald's legendary cross -country run: A look back at 60 years of history!

Grunewald, Deutschland - Bodo Tümmler, a legendary runner with impressive titles such as multiple German champions over 1500 meters and Olympic bronze in 1968, remembers the first cross-country race in the Grunewald 60 years ago. "It was incredibly exhausting," he reports of the challenging route, which led over deep sand, felled trees and even moor. At this time there were no nature conservation authorities, which made the conditions particularly rough. But for Tümmler it was not just the challenge that made this race unforgettable. He was the first to cross the finish line and received a trophy in the form of a small wild boar. This event marked the beginning of a running event that brought together the Berlin city society and laid the foundation for today's marathon events.

a visionary event

The idea for the cross-country run came from Horst Milde, who was inspired during a student exchange in France. "Something like this is also needed in Berlin, but not just for club runners," his goal was. On November 8, 1964, around 700 runners were ready under the Teufelsberg, and the event was a complete success. The following year, the number of participants rose to 1800. Heiko Schliff, coach at the Free University of Berlin and organizer of the race, emphasizes: "The cross-country run is the germ cell of all other runs." But despite its importance, the interest in cross runs has decreased over the years, and the event has had an eventful story.

After moving to the Maifeld at the Olympic Stadium and later to the Döberitzer Heide in Brandenburg, the cross-country run is now struggling to recapture its original home in the Grunewald. Schliff kept the registration fees low to win more participants, and committed helpers put a lot of passion in the organization. Nevertheless, he is faced with numerous challenges, including difficulties in choosing the route and lack of support from authorities. "Only stones are put in your way," he complains. Despite all the hurdles, Schliff remains optimistic that the anniversary run can take place on November 9th, and Teummler and Milde have also announced their arrival. "But I only keep the starting pistol," jokes Tümmler and is ready for new sporting challenges.