BR42 - Homemade Marathon

The Jucht… A nature reserve in the south of Düsseldorf, where the Rhine makes a 90 degree bend. Popular as a local recreation area for stressed city dwellers who want to escape from everyday life between calls and coffee dates, for hobby ornithologists who want to see other birds than the oddball across from you at your desk, for nature lovers who can do more than the plants in the garden to drown your own living room. In short, for those who want peace and quiet. At least on 364 days last year - the only exception being April 23, 2022. The class 42 celebrated its premiere where foxes and rabbits usually say good night. The first marathon we hosted.

The concept: a lap of 5km, so that everyone can run the distance they wanted to. Right up to the marathon.

The smart thing: Starting point chosen so that the finish line was always at the BRIDGERUNNERS home base.

The cool thing: goosebumps every five kilometers when passing the cheering zone.

The (positively) crazy thing: pedestrians, hikers, farmers and cyclists were simply cheered on.

The best: target catering with Holger's and Azib's cinnamon rolls.

Again no Düsseldorf Marathon 2022

One after the other... After years of the corona pandemic and countless canceled (half) marathons, there was finally light at the end of the tunnel. The Düsseldorf marathon was to take place at the end of April. Pacing, race classification, current form, long runs, mental tricks and the right nutrition for a marathon have been discussed at the track for weeks. The euphoria was there. Finally another running event in Düsseldorf.

But a month before the time had finally come, there were increasing signs that the official Düsseldorf marathon was not going to happen. Sometimes there was speculation about weak registration phases, sometimes about the corona restrictions. There were still rumors and speculations, but enough that the BRIDGERUNNERS organizing team was working behind the scenes on their own solution.

When the official cancellation came with reference to the corona restrictions and concerns about the safety of the starters, the BR42 plan was summarily pulled out of the drawer. Of course, once again with a great campaign designed by the social media team. A collective sigh of relief for all those who had tormented themselves with endless long runs in sub-zero temperatures during the winter months: there would be a marathon. Smaller, finer, with great people - and Kinpoint as a partner. The result: over 60 registrations.

An almost normal Saturday on the Jücht

The Jücht residents have only rarely experienced that the hiking car park was almost completely occupied by 8 a.m. But the people who parked there didn't have hiking boots and poles with them. Instead, boxes, branded beer tent sets, BRIDGERUNNERS displays, snacks and drinks. That day it was: Vaporflys instead of Gore-Tex.
The Cheering Zone was set up behind the small grove on the dyke, the weather was a dream, the atmosphere unique. From the first minute. The special thing about us is simple: Those who don't run come anyway and celebrate with us. In addition, Kinpoint on the side as an uncomplicated and relaxed partner. Had a bit of a family outing. A pretty big family outing.

The crew also had a lot to celebrate in terms of sport. A successful marathon debut by Jana, who had only been able to free herself a few weeks before the marathon, an unbelievable half marathon time of just under 1:18 hours by Tomoya and many fast 5-10km laps were recorded at the end of the day. The guest from the Triathlon Team Düsseldorf was also celebrated and was accompanied by Hanniel on his last lap for the marathon. And everyone knows how Hanniel can shout one forward. Breaking in is forbidden.
Conclusion: everyone wants it to be repeated.

As if nothing had happened

Those who only set out on their afternoon hiking route in the Jücht after coffee and cake should only hear about the BR42 spectacle from hearsay. The crew had removed all traces in no time at all.
The after party took place in the Rheinpark, where endurance was also put to the test on the glass.