It has become a beautiful city

Conrad Kebelmann & Michael Rieß

There will "definitely be a new record number of participants" at the 9th Chemnitz company run on Wednesday, 3 September, announces Conrad Kebelmann from the agency "Die Sportmacher". Together with business partner Michael Rieß, the 35-year-old began writing his own "summer fairy tale" in 2006, which has developed into a real success story after some tough early years. "Die Sportmacher" now organise company runs at four different locations. Both have not forgotten their premiere event and their love for Chemnitz. Whoever attracts over 5,000 starters from almost 450 companies to the "somewhat different networking party" is the maker of the week for us.

How did you come up with the idea of organising company runs?
Michael Rieß: Born in Berlin, we both studied sport and business administration in Chemnitz. At some point, we had to decide what we wanted to do afterwards. We are not the kind of people who are happy in permanent employment and decided to set up our own business - with corporate fitness. In a society that is getting older and older and in which companies have to do more for their employees in terms of fitness and sport, this was supposed to be the future. However, things turned out quite differently: in 2006, we happened to meet an organiser who wanted to organise company runs in Chemnitz and other cities. The result was a collaboration that would benefit both sides. We helped him with the organisation and in return were allowed to advertise our company fitness.
The problem was that three months before the actual date, he said he wasn't going to do it after all and we had no plan B. So we decided to organise the run ourselves. So we decided to organise the run ourselves. Completely inexperienced, we asked him how to organise a company run. In his pragmatic way, he replied: "Well, you find a sponsor and then you organise a company run." That was it? Good, we thought, that's all. We then looked for a sponsor - MLP - who were enthusiastic about the concept and agreed. We then went back to the actual organiser and asked: "And now?" The simple answer was: "Now you're doing a company run" (both laugh)

You basically had three months to organise the company run?
Conrad Kebelmann: Exactly!

Why a five-kilometre course?
Conrad Kebelmann: The mother of all company runs in Germany takes place in Frankfurt am Main. They brought the idea over from the USA in 1993. At the time we started, it was the biggest run in the world with almost 70,000 participants. They also run around five kilometres. We were inspired by that. The intention was to take the idea of competition out of the event and therefore not choose a classic athletics course.
Michael Rieß: (interrupts) And we were looking for a distance that anyone can actually manage if they train just a little. It is possible to get fit for a five-kilometre run within four weeks.
Conrad Kebelmann: It was also a good fit. The inner-city loop twice was 4.8 kilometres.

How did the first event in 2006 go with the very short preparation time of three months?
Michael Rieß: A few things went wrong. This was not due to the organisation, but more to environmental factors. The world "ended" with the last finish due to the weather. However, the atmosphere and the response from the participants were so overwhelming that we decided on the spot to continue the event the following year. So the idea of company runs was born and the actual project - company fitness - was buried.

Where do company runs now take place under your organisation?
Michael Rieß: In Leipzig, Potsdam, Braunschweig, but the most beautiful one is of course in Chemnitz.

Why is that the best one for you?
Michael Rieß: Because it has the most emotional connection. We started here, lived in the city and know a lot of people privately.
Conrad Kebelmann: We are regularly in Chemnitz. That also connects us.
Michael Rieß: You've moved yourself in Chemnitz and now you're moving Chemnitz.

The number of registrations for their company runs is steadily increasing. A success that Conrad Kebelmann and Michael Rieß could not have predicted, but which they always believed in. This year, they broke the 10,000 participant mark in Leipzig. Nevertheless, they both rate the success in Chemnitz more highly. "Leipzig is simply a different place and difficult to compare with Chemnitz," says Michael Rieß.

Why are company runs so popular?
Michael Rieß: In my view, because they appeal to both runners and non-runners. The team spirit in the companies is there and it's not about performance per se. You can also run slowly.
Conrad Kebelmann: There are even more factors at play. The companies have a platform to advertise themselves. As a result, the motivation in the companies is high. There are people responsible for the company run. The companies make internal appeals to acquire participants. However, it is not only the external publicity that is important, but also the internal publicity. The companies can organise a campaign for their team spirit. They sometimes use participation as a company party.

You have the biggest in Chemnitz. Does that make you proud?
(Both laugh)
Conrad Kebelmann: Definitely. It shows that the "company run" appeals to a lot of people. Even the non-runners or the non-athletic or the creative types. But maybe it's also Chemnitz as a business location. That they are inspired by an idea and set an example for a good working atmosphere. If, for example, 300 employees from the hospital take part in the race, they don't have to. They work shifts and don't have an easy daily routine. Nevertheless, they come to the event and run along.

So you shouldn't get sick on days like this or have an acute emergency?
Conrad Kebelmann: (laughs): In this case, it's always said that the employees aren't on shift at the time. After all, they don't run during their working hours but in their free time. So medical care is always guaranteed.

Your slogan - The Chemnitz economy is running - rather provocative?
Conrad Kebelmann: Not necessarily. Chemnitz as a business location has many facets, a lot to offer and proves to be very solid time and time again. At least that's what we hear in the media. But what we hear and read is actually very positive. So the Chemnitz economy is running in a double sense. Literally on the company run and figuratively, because the companies are doing well.
Launched nine years ago in Chemnitz with 243 runners from 43 companies, this year the organisers of the Chemnitz company run are expecting over 5,000 runners from almost 450 companies. Starting with an idea, a laptop and a phone, they now employ several people. A lot has changed over the nine years, and not just logistically due to the move to Berlin. The range of tasks and responsibilities has also grown.

What exactly has changed for you?
Conrad Kebelmann: We have professionalised over the years. While it was still somewhat improvised in the early years, we now have a completely normal working life. With all the obligations that go with it. But also with a certain freedom that we have been able to maintain because we have our own company. Looking back, a lot has changed in eight years. It also looks a lot different for us.

Can you say that - from a crazy idea to a solidly managed company?
Michael Rieß: Well, at least the tax office says "solidly managed".
Conrad Kebelmann: I don't quite agree with the crazy idea. I believed in this concept from the very first minute. The first five years were difficult, but thanks to the number of events and the number of participants, we are now in the black and have been able to strengthen our team.

If others have an idea like this or another one and want to realise it. What advice do you give them?
Michael Rieß: Just do it.
Conrad Kebelmann: (laughs): Yes, to go for it. I think that's good.
Michael Rieß: To believe in it.
Conrad Kebelmann: So you don't just have to believe in it and it has to make sense, it also has to be a lot of fun. That keeps motivation high. As with any start-up, the initial effort is high and the return is low. Of course, that's not desirable for everyone. But for those who are keen to work hard and create something and perhaps earn money with it at some point in the future, we can only advise them: Go for it and see it through.

Where did you get your confidence, fun and reward from when things weren't yet on such a solid economic footing?
Conrad Kebelmann: From the event itself and, from the second year onwards, from the popularity. The response you generate. Be it in the media, the number of participants or the feedback from runners who came to us after the event and said: "Guys, great idea - definitely keep it going. It's really great and fun." You draw a lot of strength from that. And then at some point you do the maths. We doubled the number of participants in the second year and doubled again in the third year. We had 950 starters then. This allowed us to see the possibilities if the trend continues. Of course, you start to speculate: What would happen if we had 2,000! Or 2,500?! You do the maths for a moment. If you manage to keep the costs under control and the event is still fun, then it will pay off at some point. You can draw a lot of strength from that and the optimism that things will get better at some point.

Did you expect such a success in Chemnitz?
Michael Rieß: No. So not with the number we have now.
Conrad Kebelmann: We have always worked with the one per cent rule. That means one per cent of the population. That's a rough estimate of running events in cities that are labelled as "good running". That would mean around 2,400 starters. We are now almost at two per cent. We didn't expect that.
The run has grown steadily over the years, just as the Chemnitzer has. People from Chemnitz are sustainable, consistent and don't tend to jump the gun. He doesn't get excited about a purgatory, but looks at what's behind it, is it for me or not. And if he's into it and enjoys it, then he'll come back. We have an extremely high return rate.

Is that a positive or a negative characteristic?
Conrad Kebelmann: I think it's very positive. People from Chemnitz don't allow themselves to be euphoric about something that has no value. There are other mentalities, they get involved somewhere quickly and then they realise: Oh well, it's not for me. Whereas people from Chemnitz let themselves be convinced, are open-minded, try it out and if they're in, they're in. So if we win a company and they take part in the company run and go home satisfied, then they are guaranteed to take part again next year. That's a certain degree of reliability that you don't find everywhere.

Your run has a category for the fastest boss - who would that be for you?
Michael Rieß: (laughs) Me, of course. No, that's Conrad. As a former triathlete, it's no wonder.

Ten years in Chemnitz have left their mark on the "sport makers". The Berlin slang may be more pronounced again, but the two have retained their Chemnitz modesty. With them, Chemnitz has two real ambassadors in the capital.

You founded your company in Chemnitz. Was that particularly easy?
Michael Rieß: I would put it the other way round: Chemnitz didn't hinder. A city like Berlin or Leipzig might hinder you because you have too many offers and are too distracted. The infrastructure is also different and you would have to pay more money to start up and you can't do it in these cities to begin with. That's the good thing about Chemnitz. True to the motto: do it first.

How did you decide to study in Chemnitz? As a Berliner, it's not necessarily the closest way.
Michael Rieß: It was the closest way.
Conrad Kebelmann: Closer than the other alternative.
Michael Rieß: At the time, we had made the decision to study sport and business studies, which didn't turn out to be the smartest decision.
Conrad Kebelmann: But it was the most plausible at the time. Sport for fun and business because we wanted to do something serious for our parents.
Michael Rieß: Then there was Bayreuth and Chemnitz. And Bayreuth was much further away from Berlin. We didn't know either city very well and decided in favour of Chemnitz.
Conrad Kebelmann: You can now study it anywhere. Back then, this combination was only available at two locations.

How was your first encounter with your new adopted home?
Michael Rieß: We arrived in Chemnitz in the evening and were also in the city, there was nothing there.
Conrad Kebelmann: We then drove through the city centre in our car. The emphasis is on through. Among other things, we drove across Brühl, stood in front of the bollards at some point and thought: That's a great street. (Both laugh out loud) That was a really memorable image and that's why we have a special relationship with Brühl. Anyone watching us must have been holding their stomach. Of course, we backed up and drove back down the Brühl. There was no sat nav back then. But as Berliners, we thought we would be able to find our way and that's why we didn't have a map. There was also a certain arrogance involved.

Even after graduating, you remained loyal to Chemnitz. True to the motto: "I don't want to go to Berlin"?
Conrad Kebelmann: We had everything here. Nobody wanted to leave Chemnitz. Everyone had a one-room flat in the Yorck area, the commute to the office was manageable, we had friends here in the city.

Now the call of the capital has brought you back home. Why?
Conrad Kebelmann: We made the move back to Berlin in 2009. The reason was the women.

Five years away from Chemnitz - what do you miss most?
Conrad Kebelmann: The short distances. I have a 30-minute journey to work by car in Berlin. You didn't have that here. And as a former competitive triathlete and current amateur athlete, I really miss the Chemnitz area. It was so nice to cycle here. You don't have that in Berlin and I miss it. One day I'll go on holiday to Chemnitz. It's been on the agenda for a long time. Switch off for a week and go cycling.

Is Chemnitz a sports city for you?
Conrad Kebelmann: I don't think it's typical, but it's part of Chemnitz. Especially because it always manages to produce such top stars. That must speak in favour of the location and the club infrastructure. Otherwise it wouldn't be possible.

Our standard question - do you have to encourage the people of Chemnitz?
Conrad Kebelmann: I think that a change is just beginning. Chemnitz has become more self-confident in recent years. I don't know if it's because of Kraftklub. It was definitely a very positive campaign. They even made it onto the 8 o'clock news. I think that many Chemnitz residents now find it easy to say: I'm from Chemnitz. But when we came here in 1999, a lot of things were different in this city - not to mention everything. That's why there was a joke in comedy programmes like Wochenschow back then: What can I do with a billion Deutschmarks? 1st place: Turn Chemnitz into a beautiful city. There was quite a headwind in the media. I can still remember the big hole where the Roter Turm gallery now stands. Excavations took place there.
Michael Rieß: Nevertheless, it was very strange for us at the beginning that someone was defending their city. Which would never be an option for a Berliner. Conrad Kebelmann: It has definitely become a beautiful city. Whether or not it's a great place to live in the evening is a secondary consideration. But that's not the most important thing for the quality of life in a city. The modesty of the people of Chemnitz is okay, but when it turns into shame - that's definitely wrong and not at all necessary.