Berlin Marathon 2018

Berlin Marathon 2018

This is the 2^nd Major so far. I balloted this race for 2 years, and last year because of the extra 1000 charity slots, I was able to join the race being a first come first serve slot. Although many people do spend a lot of money just to get a slot in the majors, for me I feel that having to win the ballot is more meaningful and also partly because going to the majors mean major spending, so whatever that can be saved should be saved.

The Race Expo

Held at the Airport Tempelhof (Platz der Luftbrücke 5, 12101 Berlin) .Majors are always an eye opener to be at, especially their expos. Named the Berlin Vital Expo, just to collect the race pack, runners have to weave through this large airport for 3 big halls before finally entering the last hall with the race pack counters. The race bib is printed on the spot, therefore any collection station is accessible for the collectors. There was no need to follow any numbering. Only runners with the special wrist band ( which have to be worn all throughout till the race is over) will be allowed into the main hall of collection of bib.

The race pack consisted of a recycling bag with the bib and brochures, there is also a small Addidas shower gel and deodorant. If you have purchased the events tee shirts or finishers’ tee, you can collect it at the expo, Addidas was the official apparel and you can also get all other official event sports item at the expo.

Filled with tons of sports vendors, Physiotherapy services and also other race promoters, the Berlin Marathon race expo is dazzling. With BMW and also Addidas as main sponsors, there were also display of the BMW cars, there was even a hot air ballon with BMW logo at the air field.

The Course

Berlin Marathon 2018 is the 45^th Edition. This race is known for its flat course, good weather, this year the world record was broken. After leaving the famous Brandenburg Gate, runners will pass Charlottenburg and around Tiergarten. Widning through along Moabit and Mitte and then towards the south at Friedrichshain. The other places that runners will go through are Kreuzberg, Neukolln, Schoneberg, Friedenau and Zehlendorf.

The starting point is a long walk from the U bahn, there are also event tee sellers there. Somehow the price was cheaper when you buy from here. For the bag drop, you need to purchase that when you register or the poncho specially designed for this occasion. However, do note that you will not be able to have the Poncho and the bag drop at the same time. This is probably to accommodate to the large crowd.

There is a toilet area at the start point before going in to the start pen, but th

e queue is really terrible and I guess some of the runners end up going into the forest around the start pen to settle their business before entering. The wait inside can be up to 30 minutes or more before you reach the start line.

Replenishment wise, the route was filled with the water stations as indicated on the route map. They are all well stocked with water, energy drinks and the various replenishments at some stations. Some points have banana and apples and along the way some volunteers will just set up their own booth to cheer you on.

For the majors, water points are also the dangerous and choking points especially in the non elite group where there are a large number of runners all crashing to take a drink. What I don’t like about this race is that they use plastic cups instead of paper. When runners go through the water points it is very slippery and noisy. Sometimes runner crash into each other. Every runner will be issued a Sponge for them to soak with cold water during the race and using it to cool themselves down.

This year Addidas tried to do a hold your own cup campaign and gave many runners a reusable running drink cup to get your water. I felt this was a good idea towards an environmentally friendly mindset.

If you want to have some photographs taken, do look out for the official event photographer taking photos of you throughout the course. Personally I found the pictures taken not as good as those in Tokyo. The Tokyo ones have many different angles and also it was taken with the various sights as the background. For Berlin, Brandenburg Gate was supposed to be the main attraction but the pictures taken were all in a big mass and also not near to the gate.

Finishing Line

Just when you think turning back to Tiergarten means straight through the Bradenburg Tor, you will realise that there is a short of 1Km plus and you need to make a longer way back before you cross the gate. This was the point that many runners started to walk or feel the cramp. I realise that this race does not give out muscle rubs or cold spray, so either you prepare it or you have to tolerate whatever last pain you have. Passing through the gate for another 100m or so, you will see the finish line. Crossing the finishing line never felt so relieved.

 

The organising staff will keep ushering you to move on and not cramp at the end line as many people are coming in. Joining the majors always makes you feel very small part of a big picture. You will get your medal at this point and walk another about 100m to the rest area where you get to shower, massage and also get the poncho or your drop bag. Erdinger Alcohol free beer is also served to chill you down on a hot day. According to some past participants, this year the weather was really hot.

My Race

Personally I do find this race course really flat and should be easy to handle. But compared to the Tokyo Marathon, where I was able to achieve a PB, this race I did far beyond my expectations . I do not know what could be the reason, but I did felt a bit burnt out after 28KM and was going really slower than the usual. The worst was when the pacers for 4 hours passed me, I knew I will not be able to hit Boston Qualifying this time. But I keep telling myself just go from water point to water point.

I realised that the biggest mistake I did this time was not carrying a real hydration pack (1.5L) like I did for Tokyo.   I forgot that a sub four speed is actually not fast for overseas runners. Many of them actually fall into the 3:15-3:50 category. Another mistake was not wearing the cap to shield away the sun, I thought it was going to be cold and gloomy, as usually was in the morning, and didn’t bring along the cap but just wearing a bandana. Then when I cross the starting line, sun was shining on the runners like we are in Singapore, scorching hot.

Despite the disappointment, there are parts about the race that I enjoyed, mainly to be able to participate in the 45^th edition and also being able to be on the same race where a new marathon world record was achieved.

Overall

I would say a major is always an eye opener to be at. I have never been to Berlin before and being able to run in a totally new country is always exciting. What’s more is to enjoy their culture and history. The city is not fancy like Tokyo but it has its old charms and interesting history. Do try and ballot for this race, I would say the greatest highlight was the start point where we ran past the Victory Column and the runners split into two ways around the column. It is really a sight to see from the sky.

Till the next major!