Stienitzsee-Cross a Real Success

Start of the 21K run at the 2nd Stienitzseecross.

There were many who felt like winners at the 2nd edition of the Stienitzsee-Cross on September 3^rd: the whole region around the lake, the participants, the 220 volunteers and the organizers. “Including school relays and children we had about double the participants from last year, about 1,500 runners. That shows that our idea of combining sport, nature and family is attractive for many people, who look for an event in a charming landscape,” said Henrik Sundström, who initiated the race.

“The success was possible because of the fine cooperation between our organization, the local clubs and the authorities,” said Sundström. And Peter Farr, the owner of a leisure center at the Highway B1 in Schöneiche who sponsored the event said: “The impact this event had is unbelievable. We will increase our commitment next year.”

Ellen Wessinghage was cheered as she finished. The former middle distance runner, who had won national titles 38 times and had twice been an Olympic participant (1972 and 1976), was once again winner of the 12-kilometer race. Clocking fine 49:56 minutes she said: “You are all winners!” Afterwards she collected donations for children with cancer together with former tennis player Eva Pfaff.

The fastest man was Jean Luc Jarvis from France with 43:31 minutes. As well as in the 12K there was a French winner in the 21K race. Mehdi Akaouch finished with 1:20:59 hours. Both winners come from Pierrefitte, the twin town of Rüdersdorf at the Stienitz lake. Fastest woman in the 21K race was Bettina Börner (LC Stolpertruppe Berlin/1:41:42). The 3K race was won by Carolin Scheffler in 13:40 minutes and David Arnold in 12:56. Arnold’s track club is the SV Blau-Weiß Petershagen. This is the club where three time Boston- and Berlin Marathon winner Uta Pippig once started her track career. Uta Pippig still has good relations to the region and was supporting the Stienitzsee-Cross.