The Cologne Marathon has been the sporting running highlight of the cathedral city for years. After a three-year break due to coronavirus restrictions, a total of around 13,500 participants took to the starting line on Sunday (2 October). Among them were once again employees from all REWE Group business units across Germany. And they impressed with impressive times: Alessandro Scarpello from REWE Digital finished the marathon distance in just under two hours and 48 minutes. Sabine Kaunzner from DERTOURISTIK took just under an hour longer to cover the 42 kilometres. Björn Stadtel from the accounting department was the best runner in the half marathon. Amelie Horten from Finance was the best female runner. REWE IC Team 3 was the best relay team. This time, the participants received special support during the dreaded final kilometres, when many runners fall into a motivational slump: REWE and toom Baumarkt DIY store had organised a motivational programme with music at the REWE Group hammer mile at the Mediapark to help participants "get back on their feet." The REWE Group Hammer Mile

This year's motivation will once again benefit the HistiocytosisHilfe e.V. organisation. REWE Group donates one euro for every kilometre run. This year, the amount was rounded up to 4000 euros.

To ensure that everyone at the Cologne Marathon can keep going, REWE Group also catered for the participants during the run and behind the finish line. The catering commitment in the REWE Group catering village and at the REWE catering points along the route was once again put together with sustainability, seasonality and regionality in mind.

REWE Group's "marathon menu" included 30,000 Chiquita bananas, 14,000 muesli bars from PENNY, 5,000 regional apples from Krings, 3,000 litres of REWE organic apple juice, 1,000 pears, 300 mini cucumbers and 70 kg of carrots as well as 540 kg of ja! Trail mix. As in previous years, the surplus food from the running event was donated to the Cologne food bank. The REWE delivery service once again provided delivery vehicles for catering along the route and supported the distribution of food to the 1,300 posts along the route.

"I am delighted that, after three years of coronavirus restrictions, this year's Generali Cologne Marathon will once again showcase the city's enthusiasm for sport. As REWE Group, we are once again fully involved at the start. With runners from our company, but also off the course. That's what makes this major event so appealing - everyone takes part," says Ines Schurin, Head of Corporate Communications at REWE Group.

"Hundreds of running employees and a company that fully supports our sustainability strategy with its regional and certified products. The well-stocked REWE Group catering village enjoys a legendary reputation in the running community. This is how I imagine a partnership," says Markus Frisch, Managing Director and Race Director of Köln Marathon Veranstaltungs- und Werbe GmbH.