ESCP Bachelor in Management (BSc) student Max Brendle represented the School at the 2019 London Landmarks Half Marathon (LLHM), which took place on 24th March. 

The annual London Landmarks Half Marathon is a central London run and is the only half marathon to go through both the City of London and City of Westminster. The event delivers a pan-London community engagement programme and involves London wide schools, boroughs, community groups, cultural organisations, sports clubs and businesses.

Our student made it to the finish line in 1 hour and 44 minutes, beating his goal of 2 hours. He started training early in January and had never competed in any running race before. 

ESCP was one of Max’s main sponsors. He ran in support of WaterAid, an international non-governmental organisation, focused on water, sanitation and hygiene. 


Max took time out of his studies and preparation for the run to share more about this big challenge with us:

What was the reason behind running a half marathon and why did you choose to support WaterAid charity?
Last semester in our Presentation Skills module we held a presentation on worldwide water scarcity. When I decided to run the London Landmarks Half Marathon, of all the possible charities to support WaterAid immediately caught my eye. Because of my studies, I was very aware of the problem humanity is facing at the moment.

What does it take to complete a half marathon, and how did you keep up with the training whilst being a full-time student?
I had to learn two things the hard way. First, there is no good training without having good nutrition: for me, it was the hardest part of the whole preparation to really keep track on what, how and when I ate and drank. Second, I over-trained in one session because of a miscalculation of my target speed. Thus, I had to fight with shin splints for the last 6 weeks of preparation, which is something I would have rather had avoided. The rest is just stubbornness, I guess.

Are you part of any student society at ESCP?
No; but I am Elected Student Representative for the academic year 2018/2019 for the London cohort. Additionally, I am advising the Associate Dean Prof. Fabrizio Zerbini together with a small team on the strategic development of the Bachelor in Management programme, with me being the only first year student on the task force. 

What is your background? 
I am of German origins. After high school and a gap year, which I spent volunteering in the Shangri-La orphanage home Chapagaun in Nepal and later travelling in Italy, I decided to begin my education with an apprenticeship at Lodenfrey in Munich. That journey took me three years, and ended this as the Junior Head of Customer Service, member of the Online Shop Decision Board, and the youngest member of the In-house Academy. 

What comes next?
In terms of my time at ESCP, I will be moving on to the Turin campus. In terms of sporting challenges, I could see myself traversing the Alps on a mountain bike at some point - maybe at the end of semester 4, from Turin to my old hometown, Munich. 


Apart from becoming Elected Student Representatives, ESCP’s students can become members of any of the vibrant student societies. These include the ESA, the ESCP Sports Association in London, and the Call ON’U, the diplomacy association of the School whose goal is to prepare students to take part in the National Model United Nations conference in New York, at which they represent a country in various committees playing the role of UN delegates. 

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