Berlin Marathon 24/9/06
Jonny, me and Simon with our medals at the Brandenburger Tor, the finish.I had a great opportunity this weekend to visit a gorgeous city I have never been to before, and of course to run 26.2 miles. The Berlin marathon was very well organized from start to finish. We flew into Berlin on Friday afternoon. Met up with friends and hopeful marathon finishers at our hotel Mandala (quite convenient; only 400 meters from the finish). Number pickup on the Saturday as well as champion chip rental which was a separate expense of 31 euros, 25 of which were given back to you with safe return of the champion chip post marathon. A bit of sight seeing and then carbo loading at a fantastic Italian restaurant Osteria No 1.
The marathon start was at 9 am. We were on our way towards the start by 7:40 (also walking distance from our hotel). Stress levels on the up and up, especially when my husband realized he had lost his champion chip and would not receive an official time. These worries were relieved when we got to the start where there was a replacement stall set up for those who could not manage to hold onto their champion chip for more than 5 hours. We were herded into corals according to our best marathon times. At this time the temperature was 65 fahrenheit and there was some added concern with the heat of the morning. We were already concerned with the weather reports which seemed to be increasing the temperature on a daily basis. We were at the start with over 39,000 other crazy people who just couldn't enjoy walking around Berlin. The marathon starting area was well organized with plenty of portaloos (there was rarely a queue of more than 3 at a time), plenty of water and juice and fruit available and a clothes drop off area that was well manned. The marathon started promptly at 9am for the elite; all expected finishers under 3:30. The next group went off at 9:05 and last start 9:10. It took 5 minutes to get over the start and to actually start running, not bad for over 39,000 runners.
The crowds were fantastic. The streets of Berlin were lined with well wishers and I don't remember there ever being any spot that didn't have people cheering you on. Over 60 bands played some type of music throughout the course from blues and salsa to my personal favorite, John Denver's "Country Road". The course was well marked in km. There was water, sports drink, cups of warm sugary tea, fruit and my life saver, water dunking stations (for the sponge that they included with your number the day before), every other km at the beginning and for the latter part of the race every km. Berlin is flat, very flat. I don't remember any incline although I do remember someone saying to stay steady up a hill and I thought he was mad because there was no hill to be seen. It was very hot and sunny. Buildings and trees provided some blessed shade but not enough. Fire trucks were out in force spraying water throughout the course at anyone who wanted a shower. There were many medical staff on bikes and at water stations to provide first aid to those who needed it with the extreme heat. There were cots lined up in different parts of the course with massage therapists attacking the many knots in runners legs.
The last 4 km were by far the most difficult; we ran right by the hotel and I just wanted to take a quick left towards the finish line but the course route had other ideas. The finish was quite spectacular. You ran through the Brandenburger gate amongst hundreds of spectators and fellow runners. At this point I did start to tear up which was kind of a shock to me because I was convinced I was too dehydrated to cry. At the finish we promptly received our medals, juice, fruit and chocolate biscuits. I was disappointed with my time of 4:14.00 but I do think the heat played a huge part. I found out later that the temperature at 12 noon was a scorching 82 degrees. My husband Jonny ran 3:30 and had been on target to run sub 3:20 and our friend Simon ran a 4:34. We were all happy that we finished and survived the heat. I thank my fellow club members for all the words of encouragement before this weekend which echoed in my head for a good portion of the 4 hours I was out there and I thank that supporter on the course who called out to me "go portobello running club" with only 2 km to go, you kept me running.
Report & photo Katie Blake
