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Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner has called on climate protection group Last Generation to stay away from protests at the city’s marathon.
“If so-called climate activists wanted to disrupt the marathon, that would make many Berliners very angry,” Wegner said Saturday.
“I don’t even like to imagine it – a disruptive action could even stop the marathon world record.”
Considered one of the world’s premier long-distance races, the Berlin Marathon is an Abbott World Marathon Major, along with prestigious races in New York, Boston, Chicago, London and Tokyo.
The event follows last weekend’s Sydney Marathon, which attracted a record field to become the seventh Abbott premier in his second year of a three-year candidacy period.
Entrants in this year’s Berlin field include Kenya’s star marathon runner Eliud Kipchoge, who set the marathon world record in Berlin last year.
Nearly 48,000 people have registered to take part in Sunday’s race, the 49th Berlin Marathon, according to event organizers.
The city race is beloved because it is mainly flat and therefore a good option for first-time marathoners.
Weger, a member of the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party, said potential protesters could face legal consequences and warned that protests could adversely affect their climate goals.
He added, “Let me say it again clearly – anyone who wants to stand up for climate protection must refrain from these provocative and punitive actions.”
“Every disruptive individual should know that the police and the rule of law will clearly take action.
“So I hope that the so-called last generation will refrain from announcing their intention to disrupt the marathon.”
Wegner said he fears acceptance for climate protection could decline “if the so-called Last Generation does not finally stop blocking its roads or damaging historic buildings like the Brandenburg Gate”.
“If this happens, climate goals will not be achieved,” he said.
“But I want to achieve climate protection goals in Berlin, in Germany and around the world.”
