Berlin Marathon, Germany

2 lurkers | 13 watchers

Sep 2007 3:26pm, 23 Sep 2007 227 posts	Quote Pin LOL RB. Low fat = permission to eat twice as many, as any self-respecting taperer knows
Hills of Death (HOD) Sep 2007 4:39pm, 23 Sep 2007 5,369 posts	Quote Pin Hills of Death (HOD) Had a nice big cavery today after my 10 steady miles. Kieren I know wot u mean I can smell the crowds and I'll be doing 'battle' with the 26 or so miles AGAIN.
Hills of Death (HOD) Sep 2007 4:56pm, 23 Sep 2007 5,373 posts	Quote Pin Hills of Death (HOD) Nice club run called the 'farkarwee' run ( i.e where the...) stepped up the last couple of miles yes...I'm there
Sep 2007 5:03pm, 23 Sep 2007 228 posts	Quote Pin Apols for monster post. Don’t know whether anyone is interested: but a few recollections from Berlin last year (inc. some peculiarities not necessarily clear in the race instructions). Obviously, could all be total different this time round – but here goes: • Expo: usual format. Easy to get to via public transport – get off at “Messe Nord / ICC” and follow everyone else. • Chip-timing: no tyvek strips or velcro for the Champion Chips – you’ll need to lace into your shoes • Sponges: If like last year you’ll be given up a small yellow sponge with your race number. Don’t leave it in the hotel like I almost did - tuck it into the band of your shorts like the pros! There are big barrels of water at the water points to dunk and dump over your head… really good actually • Race numbers: if yours starts with an F and you’re a bloke – query it! • Energy drink: they are using “Basica Sport” again (“tea” in the information booklet). It’s not tea. You can try it at the expo. It’s hypotonic with an alkaline formulation to correct over-acidification of the blood (I’ve no idea either…). In any case, tho it tastes rather medicinal, it does the job - I actually prefer it to really sweet stuff like Luco Sport! Still packs a decent amount of calories @ 22cal/100ml (v. 28 for LS). Every 5km from 9km onwards, but in cups not bottles (unless things have changed…), so practice cup-drinking technique! And think about taking 2 at once if you struggle with gels like me. • Getting to the start: get there early – and avoid the buses as they get diverted, but they lay on extra trains and more carriages on the U- and S-bahns. Think you do still need to pay (unlike London) • Dumping bags: start area is quite a way from the baggage trucks, so worth losing the bags earlier rather than later. Also not that many loos (ladies!) near the start line, but many bushes… • Starting blocks: you’ll be assigned to a block based on a previous recorded time. First timers you’re at the back, no concessions, unfortunately – and it’s enforced quite vigorously. • Route: nice and flat. Can’t remember much about it to be honest: route goes out West from the central area, loops back round clockwise out to the old East Berlin (past the TV-tower) and then south and west again through various leafier suburbs and back through the main commercial/shopping area (Ku’damm) where you should expect to lose Garmin coverage. Then it’s back to the historic centre, around in front of the National Opera house and up Unter den Linden for a couple of ks to finish just after the Brandenburg Gate • Finish (1) – finish line: usual set up with medals, photographers etc. vast array of food laid out to help yourself to • Finish (2) – beer and chip return: there is a beer tent by the baggage trucks, next to the Chip return points. Assume you can find me sitting by the beer tent, carefully (slowly) liberating my chip from my shoes… • Finish (3) – showers: now here’s civilised! Warm showers and changing in the tents as you head back out towards the Reichstag • Finish (4) – results certificate: picked mine up after my shower from the tents on Ebertstrasse (Reichstag end). • Err – that’s it! Never did go to the finishers party that evening, but might be up for it… there’s another beer garden opposite the Reichstag itself where you can inspect the certificate you’ve just picked up…
Kieren Sep 2007 5:11pm, 23 Sep 2007 1,991 posts	Quote Pin Kieren Thanks Wizlyn - that was most informative I just had a thought - am I supposed to bring a past marathons results with me to prove finishing time? I don't remember ever informing them of my times. Also, I'm assuming there's be gels and such for sale at the expo?
SarahL Sep 2007 5:16pm, 23 Sep 2007 122 posts	Quote Pin SarahL ooh i'm so nervous. thanks for this wizlyn it helps with my nerves, but still makes me anxious!
Sep 2007 5:20pm, 23 Sep 2007 229 posts	Quote Pin PS - I forgot to say that the crowds are totally awesome! Bigger even they say than London Kieren. I didn't prove my time last year, it was just written on my registration card. Check yours on the line of type above where they put the phone numbers and email addresses etc above the logos. It starts "TO: - StNR: xxxx Chip:" [your time] [year of birth]. Expo is massive - more gels/bars than you could consume doing 5 ultras a week...
Kieren Sep 2007 5:27pm, 23 Sep 2007 1,992 posts	Quote Pin Kieren Ah, excellent! I'll buy my stuff there then rather than running round like a loon this week
Max71 Sep 2007 6:04pm, 23 Sep 2007 9,264 posts	Quote Pin Max71 I feel sick and nervous today.
Kieren Sep 2007 6:09pm, 23 Sep 2007 1,993 posts	Quote Pin Kieren Beer & kebab will do that to you