More than 200 musicians accompany the Capital of Culture Marathon

During the Capital of Culture Marathon on Sunday (May 18), Chemnitz will not only become a mecca for thousands of runners. The route across the city will also be transformed into a huge stage for music of all kinds. More than 200 musicians will make sure of this, as the Sparkasse Chemnitz, the organizer, has announced. They include samba drummers, the Chemnitz Singakademie, several DJs, musicians from the Robert Schumann Philharmonic Orchestra, brass groups, Guggemusiker musicians and a school children's choir.

The marathon not only stands for the sports culture that is anchored in Chemnitz's program as European Capital of Culture. It also builds a bridge to music under the title "Running Culture". The organizers call it the "longest stage in the world", which is created along the route.

More than 8,000 runners will be at the start

The interest of athletes is huge. According to the information provided, more than 8,100 runners from nine countries have registered. This has exceeded expectations, according to Sparkasse spokesman Sven Mücklich. Originally, 3,000 or at most 5,000 participants had been expected. The most well-traveled participants came from Canada. But there would also be runners from Great Britain, Austria, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Denmark and Spain. The German marathon champion Samuel Fitwi is also taking part.

The starting shot will be fired at 9.00 am on the market square, where the finish line will also be. The route leads past the castle pond, the Marx Monument, Theaterplatz, the colorful chimney as the highest work of art in Saxony, Villa Esche and the historic railroad viaduct.

Several streets in the city center and surrounding districts will be closed for the marathon. Thousands of spectators are expected along the route. A cultural picnic will be held at the Stadthalle the day before.