Hi all,
Couldn't find any thread on this, did anyone make it through the ballot?
I'm in for 2018 and wondering if anyone has any advice or tip on things like places to stay, getting to the startline etc.
This will be my fifth marathon having run Stockholm last year, the reviews i've read seem mixed but hopefully it can match up to last year!
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I've never had any problems with the race - organisation etc. has all been first class. I have also read some not so good reviews, but we all have our own experiences.
The underground in Berlin is really good, wherever you stay, you shouldn't be more than 1/2 hr away from the one of the stations near the start (Hauptbahnhof/Brandenburg Gate/Potsdamer Platz/Friedrichstr/Bundestag).
Check the UBahn website (www.bvg.de/en) for a map and a journey planner.
The Great North Run Half Marathon is a week before the Berlin Marathon. I've ran the GNR 5 times and I'm wondering if I can run the GNR and a week later run a good marathon, as I know that I should really be in my taper in preparation.
What do you think?
Ricky.
Just got an email confirmation that my GFA application for New York is succesful. Berlin will be the goal race. It's a fast course. It's packed and a bit chaotic so you have to be patient. NY will be for fun
I did the Berlin marathon last year, a week after running a local half marathon that I couldn't turn down.
I went out purposefully slowly for the first 2/3rds of that half. Overall, it was basically the marathon pace I ran a week later.
I did pretty much the same before my other, my first, marathon in Paris earlier in the year. I ran over 20k the sunday before.
Even though the text books told me not to:
Rahul
Berlin accommodation? I have always stayed at the Ibis Berlin Hauptbahnhof Hotel. Its close enough to the Brandenburg Gate and the start line. It takes around 15 mins. Just follow some of the 40000 marathon runners that arrive at the Hauptbahnhof. Catch the train from Schoenberg Airport straight to the Berlin Hauptbahnhof and the hotel is just out side the back entrance. Prices are reasonable and beds are very comfortable.
Oh, and the Expo is back at the Iconic Tempelhof Airport. So I'll take a small umleitung and drop off at the Expo to collect my bib and goody bag. Good luck and stay injury free.
Still chasing the 6 major dream!
I have run it in 2013, 2015, and 2016 and love it - great course and organisation, usually seems to have ideal weather conditions as well, or else I've just been lucky when I've been there!
Richard - I'm also in for GNR the week before - havn't run it before, but treating it as a long run in the taper myself, I have heard it is a busy enough half and tough to run fast in in any case so I'll jog it and keep my energy for Berlin, all being well!
Boston that’s my worry! I will never run the time required to get in so I am solely reliant on a place with a Sports company or somebody taking pity on me and letting me do it to complete the 6 ?
I'm still struggling with knee pain, fingers crossed it clears for Berlin but more than a little anxious about it currently.
All the books say not to...but in the 80's all the advice from experienced runners in my club said it was essential to run a half marathon or Ten miles and a Twenty mile race in the 6 weeks before the race.
Our club record holder, an over 40yr old with PB of 2hr 28mins, in the build up to London 1982, ran Wolverhampton Marathon as a training run, Milford 21 in Cannock and the Cambridge10. I did the Bath Half and Finchley 20 in March/April that year as a warm up too. I really don't remember feeling terribly tired when it came to Marathon day, by such warm-up races, and I did a big PB on the day.
I wonder why we've gone so far the other way these days in terms of rest before a marathon ?
<div class="QuoteAuthor"><a href="/profile/sterobbo">sterobbo</a> said:</div>
<div class="QuoteText">Anybody started there training program yet</div>
</blockquote>
Not yet. Starting soon! I got a ballot place but only decided this morning to definitely go ahead and do it as I've had a knee issue. This will be my second marathon (did London in 2015) and I'm excited to get training. Good luck!
To collect chip and start number (personally) you need the Startpass confirmation mail (will be sent out in September) and photo ID.
Where did you read the bit about the medical? (can skim through that..)
In my ballot place confirmation email sent back in December there was a list of next steps, one of which states: "No training and no competition without health check up! Please make an appointment with the doctor of your choice to undergo a sports medical examination."
But then I haven't seen any mention of it elsewhere. It's not that I can't just do it anyway, but my GP is a nightmare to get an appointment!
> sterobbo said:
> Anybody started there training program yet
>
> Not yet. Starting soon! I got a ballot place but only decided this morning to definitely go ahead and do it as I've had a knee issue. This will be my second marathon (did London in 2015) and I'm excited to get training. Good luck!
> @zthirsk said:
> sterobbo said:
> Anybody started there training program yet
>
> Not yet. Starting soon! I got a ballot place but only decided this morning to definitely go ahead and do it as I've had a knee issue. This will be my second marathon (did London in 2015) and I'm excited to get training. Good luck!
I started a 14 week program last week, it’s strange when you start you always feel as though you are playing catch up ?
Legs feel okay though just feeling a bit top heavy (after doing London and NYC last year I struggled for motivation to run in winter) after doin Insanity for 8 weeks, that will soon go with good diet and the long runs to come, excited for this one!
As soon as you get to Berlin, download the BVG "Fahrinfo" app. It gives live information on buses, underground trains ("U-Bahn") and suburban trains ("S-Bahn") using GPS to work out where you are and live timetable feeds to tell you all the options for getting from A to B. Utterly brilliant.
Saturday advice:
If you are fortunate enough to be able to travel on the Friday (or earlier) and get registration out of the way, here are some Saturday options:
1. The Breakfast run is a big joyous relatively slow run of about three miles through the streets finishing with a lap of the track in the Olympic Stadium and a free breakfast. Loads of international runners including many Brits.
2. Parkrun. I think there is one in Berlin, but unless you really really want to do a parkrun in Berlin, go for option 1 instead.
3. Boat trip on the Spree. Great way to see the city.
4. Watch the inline skating marathon, which is on almost the same course as the run but on the Saturday afternoon. I had never seen inline skating before and it is well worth half an hour on the roadside being buffeted by the slipstream of a dozen skaters holding onto each others waists (yes, really!).
5. Watch Union Berlin, the 2. Bundesliga side, playing at home. The fixture list has just been released. There is a possibility that they may play on the Sunday (TV scheduling), but if they have a Saturday afternoon fixture, go and watch this before visiting your local Italian restaurant in the evening. Union Berlin is in the old East Berlin and is a real grassroots supporter-led club. The match atmosphere is great.
Other advice:
Make sure you print out your Startpass email before you go to the Expo.
See you all there!
Thank you!