The Grand Anniversary Celebration: 5x5 = 25 Years
Once Upon a Time in Copenhagen ...
When a team from SCC EVENTS (then still known as SCC Veranstaltungs-GmbH) set off for the Danish capital in 1999, no one could have imagined what would evolve from that trip over the next 25 years. Their visit to the 5x5 km relays—the great role model and "mother" of all relay events—served primarily as a source of inspiration and a learning opportunity.
Taking cues from others is expressly permitted. And so it came to pass that, just one year later, at the premiere event in Berlin’s Tiergarten, 218 relay teams ran their laps for the very first time. The concept of a sporty summer party fueled by team spirit proved a success; more and more companies began signing up their employees for this summer celebration with that special something extra. When, after the first three years, the meadow along Hofjägerallee became too small, the event relocated to the meadow near the Goethe Monument on the other side of the Tiergarten; finally, in 2009, it found its permanent home right in the city center—directly on the Sculpture Meadow adjacent to the Federal Chancellery. What the Copenhagen event boasts in sheer numbers (120,000 runners and walkers over five consecutive days), the Berlin event matches with its spectacular backdrop. The route leads directly through the government district—past the Federal Chancellery, the Reichstag, the Victory Column, Bellevue Palace, and the House of the Cultures of the World. It simply doesn't get any better than this. Across the three days of the Berliner Wasserbetriebe 5x5 km TEAM Relay, a total of 6,256 teams now take part. This anniversary year is, fittingly, also a record-breaking year.
Inclusion in the Team
The Bethel Foundation have been part of the action almost from the very beginning (since 2003). Through the baton exchange and the post-race celebrations, teams comprising students with and without disabilities experience the inclusive power of running. Following months of training together, the three-day trip to the capital stands as one of the annual highlights on their calendar. On Wednesday, five relay teams from Bielefeld lined up at the starting line. After a brief dip in participation numbers following the COVID-19 pandemic, figures are now once again on a steep upward trajectory. The next major highlight on the horizon is the Special Olympics National Games in Saarland, taking place from June 15 to 20, 2026. We wish them every success!
A newcomer to Berlin is Achilles International. This global non-profit organization operates in 60 countries with a mission to connect people with all types of disabilities through running groups and to facilitate their participation in running events. With local chapters already established in six German cities, the organization has now officially arrived in the capital. Featuring a blind participant running the full 25-kilometer distance alongside five different guides, this debut could hardly be more unique. We are excited to see how this initiative continues to develop. The Achilles Running Club Berlin is currently seeking new members. For more information, please visit www.achilles-germany.de or contact info@achilles-international-germany.org.
What happened on Day 2?
A total of 2,080 relay teams (10,400 participants) made their way through the Tiergarten on Wednesday—the midpoint of the event. With temperatures at 20 degrees Celsius, conditions were ideal for running; the thick cloud cover present at the start gave way toward evening to blue skies and slanting rays of sunshine. In the "Companies with the Most Teams" category, Deutsche Bank (80) finished ahead of Sana Kliniken (63) and Stromnetz (57).
We look forward to Day 3 and a fantastic finale to the biggest relay party of the year.
