For the first time Germany’s biggest spring marathon will not take place in spring. The 35th edition of the Haspa Marathon Hamburg, which was suspended a good two weeks ago due to the coronavirus pandemic, will be postponed to Sunday, 13 September 2020.
“We are firmly convinced that it is realistic to hold the event at this new time, even though essential organisational conditions, especially due to the corona epidemic and new findings on the health protection of participants expected by then, will be different from those that have been usual up to now”, explains Chief Organiser Frank Thaleiser.
Hamburg’s Sports Senator Andy Grote adds: “The new date for the Haspa Marathon is also an optimistic signal: With good cooperation, a lot can be achieved in sport even in difficult times. Sport is a role model here. I would like to thank the organizer, the police and all other participants for their professional work”.
After the appointment has been made, the classic organisational system is now back in operation, with numerous additional subject areas and tasks, particularly with regard to prevention measures and hygiene regulations.
It is therefore unclear whether the Youth and Children’s Race Das Zehntel can be organised within the framework of the new event date or on a separate date. “In this situation, which is not only completely different in terms of dates, we must also put some things we have grown fond of to the test and plan step by step. Basically, however, our concern is that the social significance and role of sport at the competition level should also be kept in view, if not at the moment then at least in perspective. We receive a lot of confirmation and support here, from a large number of our participants, our partners and not least the City of Hamburg, which provides us with excellent support from all administrative bodies, above all the State Sports Office and Sports Senator Andy Grote, for which we are extremely grateful. Our special thanks also go to Karsten Schölerman (BMS die Laufgesellschaft mbH), who, despite organizing his own event on September 13th at the same time, accepted our request to relocate the Haspa Marathon Hamburg”.
