TEAM-Staffellauf: A Race, a Duck, and Loads of Fun
On June 8th, the 22nd Berliner Wasserbetriebe 5 x 5 km TEAM-Staffellauf was held in Berlin's Tiergarten. This event is a favorite for both top athletes and hobby runners, combining sport and socializing. Running is fun, but running together is even better. This year, we at CoFa joined the fun with a full relay team.
By Jennifer Wjertzoch, Senior Frontend Developer
If you think relay races are uncool, then you clearly haven't met „Lotte“, our little yellow plush duck. The ancient Greeks thought they were fancy with their torch relay, but let's be real – their flames have nothing on our fluffy, quacking wonder. Move over, Olympic flame; there's a new star in town, and it’s soft, yellow, and adorable!
Preparation is Everything – or No
The week before the big race, we had a training session from the office through the Tiergarten. The training session was not only a physical preparation but also a great chance to get to know each other – a little taste of what was to come.
The Race of Races
The race day began as any good day should: with a fair amount of confusion and a little bit of chaos. Our team members, a mix of seasoned marathon runners and those who laced up their running shoes specifically for this day, gathered in Tiergarten. Some of us had trained for weeks, while others faced the start with a bit of nerves but a lot of pride. Everyone was trying to find their DKB shirts and start numbers while our yellow friend peeked innocently out of a sports bag.
Lotte was our secret weapon. While other teams presented their high-tech relay batons with lighting functions and aerodynamic design, our little friend shone with an irresistible charm. She was not only our relay baton but also our lucky charm.
Ready, Set, Go!
With the sound of the starting signal, our first runner dashed off, clutching the fluffy relay baton tightly. Our usually cozy duck had to cover the entire distance without a break. Each of our runners held her so firmly and lovingly that by the end of the race, she was quite squeezed and sweaty. Our team showed real CoFa qualities during the race: persistence and a lot of team spirit. The audience watched everyone sprint by and cheered us on.
When our last runner, crossed the finish line, he raised the yellow relay baton. In the end, we achieved 428th place out of 1500 teams – an accomplishment we are mighty proud of! After the race, we gathered in the CoFa tent to celebrate our achievements. There were cool drinks, many stories from the track, and meeting other DKB runners.
Participating in the relay race was not only a sporting challenge but also a wonderful opportunity for CoFa people from different teams to accomplish something together. So, dear colleagues, you should join us at the next relay race. Bring your running shoes – and a fun relay baton.
Coming Up Next
DKB Staffellauf in Liebenberg on September 14th!
Stay fit and keep running!
Your CoFa Relay Team