Münster welcomes celebs and visitors

8,760 runners from a total of 45 nations have already registered so far. This means that the participation of nations was once again clearly surpassed compared to previous years. The implementation of the Hengst-Filtration28 run also comes at just the right time for this event, after all, after several 10 km attempts, some finally want to try a 2/3 marathon before they go on the big picture and marathon runners who have recovered from a corona infection do not yet feel fit for the mammoth distance of 42.195 km. Almost 400 registrations have already been received.

Celebrities are also represented in Münster, as Heiner Brand, as the former national coach of the men’s national handball team, known for his walrus beard, will give the starting signal together with the board of directors of the Volksbank Münsterland Nord and the mayor. Heiner Brand also acts as a sponsor for this year’s charity partner KiO – Kinderhilfe Organtransplantation Deutschland, which supports children undergoing organ transplants.

45 nations is a new record result, as participants from all over the world come to Münster to celebrate and be part of this running event. Several top elite runners have set their sights on the course record. One of the training partners of our German marathon champion Henrik Pfeiffer, Kiprotich Kirui from Kenya, who wants to be at the forefront this year. “When I have time and the European Championship is over, I might come by to cheer on my friend,” said Henrik Pfeiffer during a press conference. A total of 26 elite runners are fighting for the “anniversary title” and possibly a new course record. The course record holder from four years ago, Justus Kiprotich from Kenya, is also there. The “pacers” have already adjusted their pace accordingly, as they want to lead the elite at least to 21 kilometers. More and more German runners are registering for the interesting prizes for the fastest runners in the field. The fastest German runner could land 2000 EUR.

The small South America mile is now also getting more and more of a face, as part of the last few kilometers is to be designed in a South American style with appropriate motif walls, large plants and, of course, appropriate dance and drum groups. The traditional wine stand of the “Schoppenstecher” will not be missing either, whose owner Peter Wolfrom is now at the start for the 20th time. This year, the 32 loyal runners will receive a high-quality running jacket from the marathon organization team as a thank you for their loyalty.

Shortly before the big start, the city of Münster will equip the Prinzipalmarkt with more than 1000 flags and the carpet service provider will again line the finish line for a bright red carpet – a very special finish in the 20th year of the Volksbank-Münster-Marathon. Thousands of spectators are expected at the finish, on Prinzipalmarkt, where the large finish stage is located, but also at the various power points along the route and the district centers in Gievenbeck, Nienberge and Roxel. The top-class supporting program – by the way a best of the last 20 years – also invites you to do so, which will act on the individual power points, at the start and at the finish.

Everyone is looking forward to 20 years of the Volksbank-Münster-Marathon – a whole city going wild. Many best times are pre-programmed here and the many marathon novices are literally carried to the finish by the spectators, hopes Dietmar Dertwinkel, member of the board of Volksbank Münsterland Nord, who wants to tackle his first marathon on September 11th. “We’re looking forward to breaking the 9,000 runner mark,” the organization team hopes for this hopefully soon new record.