If you want to see the bright future of road running, head to West Palm Beach, Florida, the first week in December. Uta did—and she was inspired by the sight of 3,000 kids, some as young as kindergartners, completing a unique marathon.

With the 2008 Olympic Games just a few days past, many athletes and fans are already looking forward to the next big athletics highlight—the 2009 track and field World championships in Berlin. We had the opportunity to spend a little time with young talents, who already might be dreaming about becoming part of the Olympics or the World Championships one day.

A Day to Honor Children, Their Spirit and Youth
“Just a few small changes in a family’s routine can make all the difference to a child’s health.” - Uta

“Hey,” calls Laura, “we’d better get a move on, there’s almost no one behind us.” Her friends turn around, and see that it’s true: there aren’t many left behind them.

There’s a hectic to and fro on the Potsdamer Platz. Children run hither and yon, looking for teammates. Others have already found their group and are stretching, hopping from one leg to the other or circling their arms.

What a picture! Half a million people celebrating in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, black-red-and-gold flags fluttering as the German football team bids farewell to the fans.

Djamal did not sleep well the night before the race. “I was so excited, I could not sleep at all,” he says. He thought of the Indians that they had been told about at school – the Indians who live in the tropical rainforests of South America, away from civilization.

The ambassador of Ecuador in Germany, masters the art of diplomacy: he is always friendly yet reserved. With a smile on his face, he managed to place three penalty shots right into the goalkeeper’s arms.