Run, run, as fast as you can!

Yes folks, it's Marathon time, if you haven't signed up there's still time, and if you're not up to the run, take a look at the Marathon Messe in the Rhinepark - the second best thing to taking part. This year is the 13th Cologne Marathon and promises to be another record breaking year, last year's winners were Robe Tola Guta (ETH) with a time of 02:29:39h,and Sammy Kurgat (KEN) who actually broke the marathon record with a time of 02:10:03h.  Over nine thousand participants from 57 nations took part in last year's race with 7,553 reaching the finishing line. As well as the full 42km marathon, there's also a half marathon, an in-line skating  marathon, a kids run and kids skate marathon on Saturday, plus the school relay marathon with the title "One for all and all for one".  On top of the races there's the Marathon Messe (exhibition/fair) at the Rhinehallen - here you'll find sports goods and fitness companies and also a desk where you can sign up for the marathon itself - yes there is still time!  The days events start at 8.45am with the half marathon, and the main marathon starts at 11.30am. The race is a great viewing spectacle, and the runners need as much encouragement as they can get, especially towards the end of the day, so if you have the time and the inclination, help line the route and cheer on the runners, skaters and wheelchair racers.   What are you waiting for?  On your marks, get set, GO!
Cologne Marathon, Sunday 4th October - 11.30am
www.marathonmesse-koeln.de
www.koeln-marathon.de