“Munich water, Munich water!”, “Good morning, have you had a good night’s sleep?” the runners say in a good mood from the drinks station on Katharina-von-Bora-Straße. The participants in the Munich marathon already have a few kilometers in their legs.
Where cars are parked immediately after Königsplatz, the hard shoulder is covered with white cups. But not every runner takes it. Some, the self-sufficient so to speak, have canisters on their backs and take the necessary liquid through a hose. One even sprints past the water levels with two well-filled bottles in his hands, an additional weight of at least one pound each.
On your marks, get set, go: The starting shot was fired on Sunday morning in the Olympic Center.
(Photo: Catherine Hess)
It is a colorful worm that populates the Königsplatz on Sunday morning after the start in the Olympic Center – in groups, in pairs or as lone fighters. “Alex” calls out from a group of spectators behind the bars of the curve, where it goes into Katharina-Bora-Straße. Waves, cheers, the sound of ratchets.
Just grab it: These passers-by held out small rations of sugar to passers-by.
(Photo: Catherine Hess)
There is filming, clapping and high fives when one of the runners, despite all the effort, swings into the larger hairpin bend to say thank you to the cheering crowd. The applause puts a smile on a tense face and mobilizes new strength.
High five and refuel: This strengthening then seems more psychological.
(Photo: Catherine Hess)
No, they didn’t come for specific runners, say a couple who cheered tirelessly. “We clap for everyone,” says the man. “This is our training.” A woman on a bike with several children has finally found her favorite. “Her husband?” – “No, a friend!”, she shouts and off they go.
In contrast to hotspots such as Leopoldstrasse or Marienplatz, a marathon is sometimes a lonely business: there is no one at the windows on Luisenstrasse, where the elite have long since passed. The few passers-by are more likely to look at their dogs than the lone fighters separated by large distances. For this, however, each individual is rewarded with enthusiastic applause from the route helper, who is also posted lonely.