Berlin Marathon 2015
Berlin 2015 was perhaps my most “controlled” race to date. Almost everything went as planned from the beginning of the training to the finish line. My main goal was to finish under 3:15 to qualify for Boston, which did not happen 🙁 Still, it was one of my best race experiences.
Here is what I could tell about Berlin in 10 bullets.
- This is a very popular race. Register in advance and take your chance. It is worth paying for a few more euros and buy “a race package” if you miss the lotter.
2. The city itself is just “Phantastisch”. The entire city shifts into the race mode. There are so many things to see and enjoy. Staying at a hotel close to start point would be a nice move.
3. In 2015, we collected our stuff from Tempelhof. To this day, I haven’t seen a better pre-race event organisation.
4. It is a “crowded race”. The atmosphere is magic, yes, but a bit crowded, not in the beginning but immediately after 3rd K.
5. The route is super flat but you end up turning corners endlessly. Breaks the running monotony, still it gets very crowded at some corners and stations.
6. Never seen a more cheerful finish line. (Maybe its just me, but I really got pumped up)
7. You can PB here. You should PB here.
8. You will see the living running legends. In 2015, Kipchoge run thru the finish line with flawed shoes. Later on, not only he became a legend (maybe he already was), but also changed the road running shoe concept.
9. Again, once you are there, see the city. On foot. Preferably tipsy on weissbier. It will speed up your recovery infinitely.
10. Remember: “Many small people, in many small places, do many small things, that can alter the face of the world.” Eduardo Galeyano
