Claus-Henning Schulke water carrier by Eliud Kipchoge

The enricher of the world record holder: Claus-Henning Schulke, called “Bottle Claus” Image: Petko Beier

Claus-Henning Schulke is a bottle enricher for running star Eliud Kipchoge. He fills the role captivatingly. At the Berlin Marathon, “Bottle Claus” can be crucial in the hunt for the world record.

The man is not afraid of big tasks. Professionally, Claus-Henning Schulke managed the construction of the Cultural Forum in the center of Berlin and the new building of the Berlin Palace. In his free time, he completes challenges such as the Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii and, this summer, the 5,000-kilometer Race Across America cycling race. This Sunday (starts at 9.15 a.m. on Eurosport and RBB), the 57-year-old Berliner will try to do his part to ensure that the marathon world record falls. Eliud Kipchoge has already improved it twice: in 2018 to 2:01:39 hours and in 2022 to 2:01:09.

Both times, Kipchoge, the two-time Olympic champion from Kenya, ran the 42.195 kilometers from the Reichstag building to the finish behind the Brandenburg Gate. Schulke handed him drinking bottles from the side of the road from kilometer 17.5 onwards.