hella hamburg half marathon will take place digitally
Unfortunately, we have to inform you that the hella hamburg halfmarathon has not been approved. After the review process for the adapted event concept took a long time, the application was finally rejected by the authorities today. Thus, it is certain we will not experience a run on the Elbe island Kaltehofe. The months of planning and preparation did not pay off – our disappointment is accordingly great.
Therefore, the 27th edition will be held in digital form and all registered participants are invited to do their run where they want.
To give you a little insight into the processes of the past weeks and months, we would like to explain why the decision-making process took so long and why we were still hopeful to be able to take place.
After months of preparations with the authorities, agencies and independent safety experts, a 70-page infection control and hygiene concept was submitted 6 weeks ago.
In developing this concept, we were assisted by one of Germany’s leading safety experts as well as a team of experts from the Manchester Metropolitan University, which enjoys a worldwide reputation in the field of “Crowd safety and risk analysis”. The same team is currently working with the London Marathon and New York City Marathon to realize running events with tenfold of participants.
The concept took into account both the latest developments in pandemic control and extensive data collection for scientific monitoring. For example, sent bib numbers with integrated timing chips were to be used to track movements on the site, while the proven hygiene protocols of our previously implemented events were maximized and optimized. These included e.g. the complete shutdown off the Elbe island of Kaltehofe for the duration of the event, which was to be opened only to participants and crew.
According to the authorities, the cancellation was due to a decreased relevance of the model test – the incidence values were too low and the outdoor setup was not suitable to achieve a scientific benefit. However, a release without a model test is not compatible with the current containment regulations.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your trust and solidarity in accompanying us on this journey over the past 1½ years. Even if we feel empty, exhausted and drained at the moment, we are confident that we will run same day together again. Thus, we do not want to let the joy of running be taken away from us and with this attitude we will go to the start on June 27, 2021 – each for himself, but still together!
Use the equipment sent to you to hold your personal hella hamburg halfmarathon 2021. Run where you like, meet with other participants and bring courage and confidence to the running world.
“The pessimist complains about the wind, the optimist hopes it will turn, and the realist adjusts the sail.” – Adolphus William Ward
We are adjusting the sails and look forward to every participant who will run in the digital race. Your registration will automatically be converted to the digital race. Should you refrain from digital participation and wish to transfer your participation to the hella hamburg halfmarathon 2022 taking place on Sunday, June 26, please let us know by Sunday, June 27, 2021 via the form sent to you.
Thank you, keep running and stay healthy!
Your BMS team
