You’re organizing the Volksbank Münster Marathon on on September 6th, 2015. Can you tell us where your event is located and how runners are able to travel there easily?
The Volksbank-Muenster-Marathon is located in Muenster (North Rhine Westphalia), Germany, with the start line directly in front of the Castle of Muenster. Runners can easily travel to Muenster by train or by plane using the airport Muenster-Osnabrueck (FMO).
Are there different distances in your event?
We have several distances making this an interesting event for every runner. First of all we have the traditional marathon distance of 42,195 km. The original marathon course can also be run as a Team-Marathon by 4 runners with every runner covering approximately 10 km. This popular relay run is open for 1,400 teams. As a shorter distance we organize a 10 km charity fun-run. The pace for this run is set at about 6:00 minutes per kilometer. For our younger runners between the age of 6 -13 years we have the Kids-Marathon with a distance of 1,500 meters.
Tell us something about the history of your event. Why was it created in the first place and how has it changed over the years?
The marathon was first organized in the year 2002 at the request of runners who had already known running events that had been organized by race director Michael Brinkmann. The idea came up of doing a run for runners by runners – all members of the organization committee are runners themselves. In the first year there were 5,000 marathon runners at the starting line. Since 2003 the race course hasn’t been changed building a solid fan base at different locations along the course which are well known and complimented for creating an enthusiastic marathon atmosphere. Over the years a relay run was added to the event which by now is always fully booked within just a few weeks after registration opens. In 2013 8,000 runners from a total of 33 nations participated in the different distances. In 2010 the marathon course record for the men with a time of 2:10:25 hours was set. Eleni Gehebriwot broke the womens’ course record in 2013 with a time of 2:29:12 hours. The marathon has evolved to an event that attracts more and more spectators and performers. 100,000 spectators and 200 performers are creating an atmosphere of a folk festival along the course and at the finish line.
Describe your route a bit. How’s the scenery? Is the route beginner friendly? Can runners expect PB’s?
The Volksbank-Muenster-Marathon is a perfect mix between an urban and scenic marathon. The first 10 km carry the runners through the beautiful historic city center and the green belt (called Promenande) that surrounds it. Next comes the pedestrian zone, where the runners can already feel the excitement of the finish area, before the route leaves the city behind and leads towards three urban districts of Muenster and through Muenster’s green lung. The course brings the runners back to town and the last 4 km to the finish line are party central. Overall the course is flat and thus very beginner friendly. A lot of runners set a new PB every year.
How many runners do you expect to have in your event?
We are expecting 3,000 marathon runners and 5,600 relay runners. For the charity fun-run we are anticipating 100 runners and 300 children for the Kids-Marathon.
What kind of weather conditions can runners prepare to face in your event?
Overall we have moderate weather conditions in Muenster. For the marathon event – which is held the second Sunday in September – we are expecting between 19 to 25 degrees. In the past we often had dry weather and beautiful sunshine.
What else runners should do in the city after/before the race? Any suggestions to newcomers?
Muenster is well known for its welcoming charm. If you are cultural interested you have the option to choose between visiting the Varieté, the theater or one of the many cinemas. There are many old buildings in Muenster and you will find a church at almost any corner. The cathedral of Muenster is right in the city center and on Wednesdays and Saturdays the popular farmers market takes place in front of the cathedral. Being a student town there are plenty of pubs to go to and of course there are lots of restaurants to choose from if you feel like trying a local dish. Just like any other town Muenster offers a great shopping experience. And if you feel like it you can book a sight-seeing tour which explores the city center as well as the surrounding areas of Muenster with you.
How would you describe your event to people who haven’t yet participated in it? What makes your event unique?
The atmosphere at the Volksbank-Muenster-Marathon gives every runner goose pumps especially when approaching the last stretch to the finish line which is completely decorated with flags. Not for nothing the marathon with its 100,000 spectators and over 200 artists and bands is well known as a party marathon. The race course is flat and the mixture between urban and scenic parts creates an unique marathon flair for the runners. Feelings of exhilaration, the festive atmosphere and the experience of a marathon are not the only unique features of this noteworthy race. For only a 45-Euro entrance fee (registration until 15th of May), every finisher receives a technical T-shirt, a specially designed medal and a printable certificate of completion. A short movie with the highlights of the race can be downloaded from the marathon website after the event. The organizing committee takes great care to ensure that the runners get medical attention during the marathon. Emergency physicians accompany the runners on bicycle throughout the course, medical points are set up at specific locations and diabetics get specific medical attention. Runners are also supplied with nutrition on the course. There are fruit, electrolyte drinks, and water as well as coke supplied on the last kilometers. In the finish area the runners find nonalcoholic beer.
Anything else you want to tell about your event?
Readers of the online portal marathon4you.de voted the Volksbank-Münster-Marathon 2012 as the most popular marathon in North Rhine Westphalia and as the sixth most popular marathon race in Germany. As the race is organized by runners for runners we focus on making the race a memorable event for the participants – for example we offer a hot shower after the race.
