University Employees Race through the Heart of Berlin
Freie Universität Shows Up in Strong Numbers Again at the Berlin Company Run
May 27, 2019
The rain and cool temperatures at the eighteenth Berlin Company Run did not dampen spirits. Three hundred runners from Freie Universität were ready to give it their all and determined to have a good time. Just before the first start signal, the rain stopped and a few sunbeams even broke through the overcast sky. Carolin Dunst, an event management trainee at the University Sports Center, was there for the first time. She was part of the team of organizers and shared her experience with us. Here is her report:
Freie Universität Berlin once again had a strong showing at this year’s Berlin Company Run. As usual, the course started at Brandenburg Gate with the finish line on Straße des 17. Juni (17th of June Street). University management supports the event financially, while the University Sports Center and the occupational health team “Fundament Gesundheit” help with organizing. For many university employees, the race through the heart of Berlin is a chance to push themselves physically, network with colleagues, or just enjoy an easy-going sports event on the streets of Tiergarten.
Five, Four, Three, Two, One – Go!
Before the traditional start signal, Freie Universität participants get together for a group photo. Then all 19,000 runners, walkers, skaters, and other competitors on wheels count down together:
Five, four, three, two, one – go!
The skaters were first to start. Stephan Birk (00:11:34.34) and Jana Ulrich (00:18:35.52) were the top finishers in this category from Freie Universität. With the rainy weather, it could have been a dangerous undertaking for skaters on the wet streets. Luckily, the streets dried up just in time for a safe start.
Shortly after the skaters reached the finish line, the runners’ start signal sounded. What the signal means is open to interpretation: “Time to give it everything I’ve got and zip around the competition,” said one runner. Others take a more relaxed approach to the 5.5-kilometer route, “The important thing is just to be a part of it all and have a nice time.”
Active Support from University Leadership
Laura Pahnke from the Institute of Animal Nutrition (00:21:45) and professor of computer science Daniel Göhring (00:19:21) were the fastest on their feet among the runners from Freie Universität. The fastest team of runners this year was made up of Daniel Göhring and Phillip Reitsch from the Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry together with Matthias Straka from the Working Group Urban Climate and Health at the Institute of Meteorology. Their combined time was 01:01.56.
Professor of medicine Hauke Heekeren also participated in the race. The avid runner and vice president of Freie Universität wanted to actively demonstrate the university leadership’s support for the event. The final round of racers to cover the 5.5 kilometers were the walkers.
New to the company run: veterinarians Jenny Wilzopolski and Nadja Skoddow
Image Credit: Carolin Dunst
After the race, everyone came by the Freie Universität stand. A bit exhausted, but in good spirits, the participants could grab some fruit or a drink. A lucky few were also able to get a massage from one of the message therapists at the stand, a welcome treat after a hard run.
Spreading the Word around Campus
Jenny Wilzopolski and Nadja Skoddow from the Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology in the Department of Veterinary Medicine competed with the skaters. It was their first time at the Berlin Company Run. The cool temperatures did not deter them, they said. Next year they want to convince more of their colleagues to participate. They didn’t do any special training to prepare for the skate race and were “very pleased” with their times.
Christian Mundhenk, head of the University Sports Center, also considered the event a success. “By now we’ve got our routine all worked out, so everything goes very smoothly.
We are especially excited that Professor Heekeren was here and participated as a member of the university leadership. It’s also great to see how new colleagues always come to the event and mix with the veteran runners who brave the streets year after year.”
It was also a great experience for me. Everyone was in a good mood and ready to give it their best, whether they were there to run or help with organizing. After the race, a lot of people stopped by to thank us for everything: the massages, the fresh fruit and water, and of course for looking after their belongings while they ran. I am already looking forward to next year, when I hope to run myself – and if possible with a big team of trainees from Freie Universität.