Marathon Hamburg

INTRODUCTION: I am a race-walker with a median marathon completion time of 5:22:25. The Marathon Hamburg was my fifty-fourth 26.2-miler accomplished. COURSE: It was a great day for a marathon: a bit wet, in the mid-forties. The red carpet start was located just outside of Hamburg Messe, where the expo was held. We headed toward St. Pauli and its infamous Reeperbahn, and continued westward toward residential Altona before turning about at kilometer 6 where we found ourselves alongside the River Elbe with occasional glimpses of Hamburg's shipping port. On an otherwise relatively flat course, we descended into old town at kilometers 12 and at kilometer 14, we turned inland into a tunnel then suddenly finding ourselves in the shopping district adjacent to the inner Alster lake at kilometer 15, which we went completely around for a kilometer before proceeding along the eastern shore of the outer Alster lake for the next three kilometers, witnessing another race: this one comprising of sailing craft in a regatta. Just past halfway into the marathon, we approach Statdpark, where we enjoyed the woods for two kilometers before returning to our urban environment. At kilometer 31, we started to head back to the red carpet where we started from. Weather at the finish was overcast in the low fifties. ORGANIZATION: Superb. One would have to look hard to find fault with this marathon. Efficient expo: when you picked up your bib, you were obliged to check your timing chip to insure that it worked. The course featured excellent water stop support and traffic management. And of course, the blue line laying out the most direct course is something that was greatly appreciated. SPECTATORS: Where they lacked in number (compared to Chicago, New York City, Berlin, etc.), they more than made up in enthusiasm and noise. At least for the back of the packers, they succeeded in personalizing their support for the runners. CONCLUSION: One of the most attractive courses for an urban marathon, one of the best organized marathons, and with the blue line on the pavement laying out the course in front of you, one of the easiest to run. Well worth travelling to. Sehr gut, Hamburg!

I will start from the weather - but for me it was good :) In 2017, we started with snow mixed with heavy rain for first 40 minutes, finished with sun. Course excellent, a lot of friendly crowd across ALL route (never saw anything similar, even in short races or where you have to run in laps). Finisher buffet perfect: massive and with very good atmosphere. Medal was adequate, just T-Shirt very cheap sponsors logos show-up. I recommend not to pre-buy it, but better by quality Mizuno nice T-Shirt with Hamburg Marathon logo.

A proper German marathon in all senses. Organisation efficient and everyone smiling, friendly, and welcoming. A brief ray of sunshine at the start was quickly followed by intermittent periods of rain, wind, and hail (painful but fortunately short-lived). Refreshments were frequent and plentiful - water at the earlier stations, accompanied by electrolyte drinks, bananas, high 5 gels, and cola at later ones. It was cold (for me) and I'm glad I wore a vest and arm warmers. A cap would have been helpful for the hail. But despite all this I managed to enjoy the course - taking me past the elbphilarmonie building and the elegant brick warehouses on the harbour front, to the quiet forested region on the edge of the city. There are dips and inclines, but it didn't feel too bad. The crowds were small in places, but who could blame them in this weather. Those that came cheered loudly. The finish line provided various snacks, fruits, and stock, though a space blanket or plastic rain top would have been appreciated as I was little cold. All the volunteers and helpers worked amazingly hard and were very friendly. Recommended (but be prepared for north German April weather...).