The maxim for the event: "Get off your office chairs and put on your trainers. That was the slogan for the B2Run, which was again held in Cologne on Thursday. There was another good turnout from Bayer 04 staff among the 23,000 runners for the third time at this big event. "It was really great fun again," said Jenny Weber, who has now taken over the organisation of the Bayer 04 running group.
The response was similar to last year with some 40 sports-mad Bayer 04 members of staff from all departments taking part in the run, which is one of the biggest in Germany. For the participants in Black and Red, who again prepared for the run under their coach Tatjana Rüber, the start in Cologne is always a special highlight in their sporting calendars. "We're already looking forward to next year's run, said Jenny Weber on behalf of the Bayer 04 group.
The course through the city forest was 5.4 kilometres long and the finishing line was at the RheinEnergie Stadium as usual. A glass of Kölsch beer was raised for the people completing the run and several members of the Leverkusen running group took advantage of the invite to the after-run party in the VIP area at the Cologne Arena. The star guest at the event was B2Run ambassador Magdalena Neuner, double Olympic Gold medal winner and twelve-time biathlon world champion.
The highly successful and mutually appreciated partnership between Bayer 04 and head coach Xabi Alonso ends after two and a half years. The 43-year-old Spaniard has led the Werkself to three trophies. Above all, winning the first German league title in the club's history will always be associated with the name of Xabi Alonso. The former world class player, who won many hearts in Leverkusen as a person, now says farewell to Bayer 04. We look back at a fantastic time with the Basque who fulfilled the biggest dream of all Bayer 04 fans together with an outstanding team.
Show moreA few weeks ago Borussia Dortmund were marooned in mid-table mediocrity in the Bundesliga. Then the Black and Yellows started a run that overcame all comers. And suddenly a Champions League spot was again within reach. BVB will be looking to take the next step towards the big target at the BayArena on Sunday, 11 May (kick-off: 15:30 CEST). Coach Niko Kovac has almost his full squad available. The lowdown on our next opponents.
Show moreA cracker of a semi-final at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. The Bayer 04 U19 team entertain Bayern Munich on Saturday, 10 May (kick-off: 11:00 CEST/stadium opens: 10:00 CEST). In front of a home crowd, the team led by head coach Sergi Runge, who welcomes back an attacking player, is looking to build on the battling performances from the previous knockout games and "perform at the right moment." Tickets are available from the Bayer 04 online shop and the game will also be broadcast live on Sky.
Show moreBayer 04 Leverkusen will be the first Bundesliga club to open and operate a football academy in Brazil. The "Bayer 04 Football Academy São Paulo," led by Bayer 04 club legend Paulo Sérgio, will be established on the Bayer Brazil campus in São Paulo and accommodate up to 300 children and youth ages 5 to 15.
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