Why skating is no longer part of the hella hamburg half marathon
For 27 years, skating was an integral part of the hella hamburg half marathon. In 1998, participants were able to take part on wheels for the first time—and in the years that followed, it developed into one of the largest skate races in northern Germany. Even when the sport on wheels temporarily struggled, we remained committed to it—and with success: as a regular stop of the German Inline Cup and, most recently, as host of the German Championships, the competition along the Elbe consistently delivered top-class duels and thrilling finishes.
However—as you may have already guessed—every success story eventually comes to an end. After long and careful consideration, we have decided to discontinue skating as a competitive event. The reasons for this are manifold.
On the one hand, it has become increasingly difficult to reconcile the requirements of a skate race with those of a running event. While we have always managed to stage an inline event in recent years, planning and organization have increasingly been shaped by the needs of runners.
Different demands on the course, its surface, and safety also require different priorities, which do not always align with those of a running competition. In addition, our supply concept—especially in hot summer conditions—is difficult to combine with a skate race. When temperatures rise, we rely on water hoses and sprinklers—something that, as is well known, skaters do not particularly appreciate. Construction-related route adjustments and debris have also taken their toll in the past, making the race increasingly less attractive for skaters.
Moreover, participation numbers for skaters and runners have continued to diverge: most recently, just 600 skaters faced a record 18,000 runners. Current registration figures suggest that this trend will continue. The resulting higher demands on organization and safety make it nearly impossible for us to do equal justice to both competitions.
All of these factors make maintaining a dual event within a single race increasingly unsustainable in the long term. Skating requires more focus and dedication than we will be able to provide in the future. This great sport deserves the opportunity to grow independently, rather than simply “rolling along” as part of a running event.
With this decision, we are not closing a door—we are leaving it slightly ajar. We will continue to be open to ideas and the implementation of independent skate concepts. The most important thing is:
Keep on rollin’!
