News

Two teams, strong team spirit: Vanguard at the 5×5 team relay in Tiergarten

Once again this year, Vanguard took part in the 5×5 km team relay organised by Berliner Wasserbetriebe in Berlin’s Tiergarten, represented by two teams. In great spirits and pleasantly mild weather, the route was completed together, with the focus clearly on reaching the finish line as a team and sharing a strong evening experience.

15. June 2026

Blog post image header

A particularly positive development from last year continued: more colleagues joined in, many new faces took part, and interaction among colleagues beyond day-to-day work was clearly at the centre. For first-time runners in particular, the relay offered a motivating setting: supported by the group, encouraging one another, and with the clear feeling that enjoyment matters more than pace.

A small highlight in the transition zone came from Christina Marx, who prepared umbrellas as handover markers so that teams could find each other quickly, making the exchange moments feel even more connected. It was also Christina’s first time taking part in the relay, and what stayed with her most was the shared excitement, regardless of timing or results.

The fact that the event runs so smoothly every year is also thanks to the organisation behind the scenes. Ralf Hundert is the driving force, managing registrations, motivating participants, and keeping the event present within the team. The “ripple effect” is clearly visible: anyone who takes part once is immediately keen for the next round.

And because a team relay is not only about what happens on the course, Vanguard was also strongly present off the track. Several colleagues stayed by the route until the end, cheering on the teams continuously, some even with family members. This support visibly gave extra energy and made the evening feel complete for many.

A big thank you to everyone who ran, organised, and cheered from the sidelines. Next year, we would be delighted to welcome another team.

Entitled "From Single-Use Product to Valuable Asset: How Hospitals Can Keep Medical Devices in Circulation Cost-Effectively", the article explains why used single-use medical devices should not automatically be regarded as waste. Particularly for complex devices such as EP catheters and ultrasonic shears, Medical Remanufacturing can provide hospitals with an additional opportunity to keep products in circulation for longer while unlocking both economic and environmental benefits.

Among other topics, the article explores why the sale of suitable used medical devices can represent a distinct step within the circular economy and why sustainable solutions in everyday hospital practice are most effective when they can be integrated seamlessly into existing workflows.

Medical Remanufacturing combines resource conservation, cost efficiency, and validated processes, demonstrating how a product that might otherwise be considered waste can once again become a valuable asset.

The full article can be found in the latest edition of Klinergie Magazine: