Posted: September 25, 2005

Athletics: Luca Saggiorato and Briggyte Mendez win real,- BERLN-MARATHON for inline skaters with top times

Mass sprints brought the decision about the winner of the 32nd real,- BERLIN-MARATHON for the inline skaters. The Italian Luca Saggiorato got to the finish with a flimsy winning margin and in a world class time of 1:01:21 hours. In the women’s race Briggyte Mendez of Colombia won in 1:10:43 hours, also a top time. These were the fastest winning times in Berlin since 2000. Best German skater was Nico Wieduwilt (Gera) finishing 19th in 1:01:21 and Michaela Neuling (Gera), finishing 16th in 1:10:44.

The real,- BERLIN-MARATHON with its 8.098 skaters once again confirmed its position as the biggest skating marathon in the world. About 300,000 spectators watched the race at the 42.195 k long race through the city centre of Berlin. Start and finish were close to the Brandenburg Gate.

"300,000 people made sure that along the course the atmosphere was wonderful and that carried the skaters to the finish with really fast times,“ said a happy Alexander Uphues, who is responsible for the inline skaters at SCC-RUNNING, after the race.

The race developed to a thriller with beautiful weather conditions and numerous break aways. But in this world class field nobody could break away decisively from the leading group. So it came to a great mass sprint on the last stretch, which ended with an Italian triple victory. It was the first Italian victory at the real,- BERLIN-MARATHON of the inline skaters. Luca Saggiorato finished in 61:21 and it was the third fastest time ever in Berlin. Runner up was his countryman Francesco Zangarini, and third was Massimiliano Presti. The first seven skaters finished with the same.

In the women’s race the group kept together until the finish. Briggyte Mendez came through to win in 1:10:43 ahead of Brittany Bowe (USA) and Julie Glass (USA). All three Skaters finished with the same time. “The real,- BERLIN-MARATHON was very nice, but it was a hard fight on the long home straight,” said Briggytte Mendez.

The real,- BERLIN-MARATHON also was the final event of the World-Inline-Cup (WIC). But already before the race the two winners had been decided: Massimiliano Presti and Laura Lardani (both Italy).

Luca Saggiorato (ITA), Team Fila International, winner of the 32nd real,- BERLIN-MARATHON for inline skaters in 1:01:21 hours

"It was a hard race and very fast. There were a lot of break aways, so you had to work all the time to stay in front. Because of the many spectators along the whole course Berlin is the best race I know.“

Francesco Zangarini (ITA), Team Bont International, runner up in 1:01:21 hours

"The race was really fast and I could catch Presti just with doing a finish split.“

Massimiliano Presti (ITA), Team Fila International, 3rd place, overall winner of the World Inline Cup 2005 in 1:01:21 hours

"I felt that I am not in optimal conditions. That is why I have worked for my team colleague Luca Saggiorato. I hate it to loose, and if so then there should at least a team member be first. Berlin is my personal number one of competitions. Everything is very professional, there are a lot spectators and a great atmosphere.“

Brigitte Mendenz (COL), Team K2 Empire, Winner of the 32. real,- BERLIN-MARATHON for Inline-Skater in 1:10:43 hours

"The real,- BERLIN-MARATHON was very nice, but it was a hard fight on the long home straight. I have run for the first time in Berlin and I am happy that I could win it at first go. Speed skating is my job, otherwise it would be very hard to run internationally.“

Brittany Bowe (USA), Team Powerslide, runner up in 1:10:43 hours

"I am a 10 time junior world champion and was running for the first time in Berlin. I am an all-rounder and that is a bit unusual for a skater. Normally you have sprinters and long distance specialists. The crowd along the course was so enthusiastic, that was great.“

Julie Glass (USA), Team Powerslide, 3rd place in 1:10:43 hours

"The first part of the race was very aggressive, with a lot of break aways especially of the Kia and Salomon Team. With half way to go it was a bit slower, otherwise we might have broken the world record. In Berlin you run to win, nobody is watching the clock.“

Mark Milde, SCC-RUNNING Race-Director

"The atmosphere along the race was very good because we had so many spectators. We are happy, that the race was so fast. It is a pity that they missed the course record.”