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Berlin Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Berlin Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.7 
Organization 4.2 
Spectators 4.6
Number of comments: 120 [displaying comments 101 to 111]
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Francis Nzeutem from Brooklyn, NY
(9/30/2004)
 "A PR is definitely moglich" (about: 2004)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Berlin Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The real Berlin Marathon is course destined for PR. Course: The course is all flat, and thus fast. Unlike Chicago, there are no bridges to cross and thus there is not the smallest incline. If you can get set into a good rhythm from the beginning, there should not be any big variations in your pace. I was able to run pretty much even splits throughout. Organization: When you pick up your number, there will be a letter next to your number. That number will determine your starting corral. Corral A: Best time < 2:20 Corral B: Best time: Between 2:20 and 2:50. Corral C: Between 2:50 and 3:00 Corral D: Between 3:00 and 3:15. And so on through H. Be aware that if your best time is greater than 4:30 or if this is your first marathon, you will be assigned corral H. Corral F through H starts about 5 minutes later. Water Stops: Even though they mentioned that you can bring your own bottles, it is strongly recommended only if you're going to run under 3:00. Chip: Bring 31 Euros at the expo to pay for the chip. When you return your chip after the race, they will hand back 25 euros. I ran a PR by 8 minutes and finished in 2:48:50. Would definitely do it again. Hotel: Try to stay by the Zoololigter subway station (West Berlin). You'll be close to everything. | |
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B. B. from Liverpool England
(9/28/2004)
"well organized race" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Berlin Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The course was a bit boring until you got near the end as there was not much to see. Plenty of water stations and other drinks. Crowds were plentiful and enthuisiastic. I thought the finish was a bit misleading; as we were approaching the Brandenburg Gate, there was a Gatorade arch over the roadway and we thought that was the finish, when in fact the finish was a couple of hundred meters after the gate. A good course to get a P.B. | |
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R. M. from Conamara, Ireland
(4/28/2004)
"Well-organized, big-city marathon" (about: 2003)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Berlin Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 A great marathon, would recommend it to anyone. The start was a bit narrow for the crowds participating, but other than that, it was flawless. Weather was great, crowds were great (not New York but where is?), and the course, which makes its way through Berlin's various neighbourhoods, means a PB is there for the taking. And that's exactly what Paul Tergat did! | |
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G. J. from London
(12/28/2003)
 "Favorite to date" (about: 2000)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I participated in the 2000 edition. The weather lived up to expectations, cool and calm, course was superb, wide, flat streets with some contrasting scenery and the crowds were vast, especially in the 2nd half. I was fortunate enough to start in the front and was away in less than 5 seconds (better than London). It was good to see a surly looking German woman checking running numbers and showing a few 'heavy weights' the way to the back of the queue at the start line as they shouldn't have been there in the first place. I felt strong in the 1st half and ran quicker than intended which led to the wheels coming off a bit in the 2nd half, and suffered most on the slight up hill section around 20 miles. I recovered sufficiently afterwards to enjoy the last 5 kms. The run down the Kurfustendam (excuse the spelling) for the last 2 kms was exhilarating and ended up with a PB that day. My girlfriend found the U-bahn fairly useful and managed to see me a few times during and made it in time to the finish to see me (from a few rows back) too. | |
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C. P. from Washington, DC
(10/24/2003)
"Fast, flat, fantastic - Berlin is simply the best!" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The 2003 race was my first Berlin Marathon, and I will certainly be back. The course is flat on smooth asphalt with wide turns, and thus easy on your knees. Great crowds and numerous bands along the way; it gives you a glimpse at how culturally diverse this city is. Running through the Brandenburg Gate just before the finish is quite an experience. Needless to say the organization was flawless, lots of volunteers. I really liked the spacious shower tents, and have never seen such a well-organized bag pick-up. The only improvement I'd suggest is to widen the walkway leading from the finish area to the bag pick-up; it was pretty crowded when I tried to get through. But thanks to Paul Tergat and Sammy Korir, who both blasted the old world record. I can now claim to have been part of the fastest marathon ever run! | |
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Donald Fritsche from San Leandro, California USA
(5/9/2003)
"Die Bestes Marathon aus der Welt!" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I've run the Berlin Marthon twice. The first time was in 1995 and the second in 2002. All I can say is WOW! I've completed 20 marathons so far and Berlin is by far the best marathon I've ever run! Organization = A+ Volunteers = A+ Aid Stations = A+ Course = A+ Spectators = A+ Medals = A+ Sweat Check = A+ This marathon is a must for any avid marathoner. From the beginning at Ernst Reuter Platz to the finish on the Kudamm near Ka-De-We, this marathon is the terrific! Viva Berlin! | |
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Jason Mayeroff from Thailand
(2/3/2003)
"BEST MARATHON IN THE WORLD" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Berlin is quite simply the best marathon in the world. Usually perfect weather for a PR, a great course and tons of fans right where you need them from 30km to the finish. No matter what level of runner you are, I highly recommend Berlin over ALL races in the world. I finished 33rd in 2;18 in 2002. I will be back in 2003. | |
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A Runner from Australia
(11/28/2002)
"Wonderfully organised" (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This marathon was fantastically organised. The expo was good and registration was smooth. The course was great except for a few bottlenecks, mainly due to construction works. The crowd support was fantastic and was definitely the highlight of this event. I also liked the bananas that were handed out at drink stations. | |
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A Runner from London, England
(11/1/2002)
"New PB" (General Comments)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Great marathon expo. Smooth organization. Nice wide start so could get going straight away (could do with a gun/klaxon rather than music to get you underway). Excellent crowd support and really enthusiastic. Nice flat course resulting in a new excellent PB. Thank you Germany and Berlin! | |
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A Runner from Cambridge England
(10/6/2002)
 "Poor drinks management! Crowd encrouch on course." (about: 2002)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Really happy with the flat fast course. But the crowd were really annoying, crossing in front of me forcing me to change direction on tired legs, kids getting in the way etc. The drinks organisation was terrible, paper cups cannot be carried any distance. Very few drinks stations in the first 13 miles, I was dehydrating before I got my first drink. The crowding and jostling around drinks tables was the worst I've experienced. I didn't enjoy the race despite a PB. No excuses for paper cup drinks distribution or crowd encrouchment at this level of marathon event. |
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