Berlin Marathon 30/9/2012

liamo123 · 17-09-2012 6:41pm

Rolex_ wrote: »

Anyone know whether you can tell what race starting pen you have been allocated to from your race registration card? (mine arrived today)

Presume u put in a projected time while entering ?

This might b of some assistance :

http://www.bmw-berlin-marathon.com/en/event/start-finish-course.html

menoscemo · 17-09-2012 8:13pm

Rolex_ wrote: »

Anyone know whether you can tell what race starting pen you have been allocated to from your race registration card? (mine arrived today)

AFAIK your starting pen is based on your previous Marathon PB this year (not predicted finish time as in the past). So it would depend on what you put down when you registered.

Rolex_ · 17-09-2012 8:19pm

menoscemo wrote: »

AFAIK your starting pen is based on your previous Marathon PB this year (not predicted finish time as in the past). So it would depend on what you put down when you registered.

Ah ok, thanks for that. That would be grand if enforced. I spent the first 5k last year ducking and weaving through runners last year who had no business being in the front 5 pens

opus · 17-09-2012 8:21pm

menoscemo wrote: »

AFAIK your starting pen is based on your previous Marathon PB this year (not predicted finish time as in the past). So it would depend on what you put down when you registered.

Btw you can get it changed if you email them in advance, did that myself last year.

Must admit having run in Berlin the last two years & enjoyed it will be jealous of everyone running on the 30th!

Best of luck in any case

Rolex_ · 17-09-2012 8:24pm

opus wrote: »

Btw you can get it changed if you email them in advance, did that myself last year.

Must admit having run in Berlin the last two years & enjoyed it will be jealous of everyone running on the 30th!

Best of luck in any case

Thanks Opus, enjoying the taper now and looking forward to the big day. Now all we need is a nice cold crisp sunny morning.....

menoscemo · 17-09-2012 9:04pm

opus wrote: »

Btw you can get it changed if you email them in advance, did that myself last year.

Must admit having run in Berlin the last two years & enjoyed it will be jealous of everyone running on the 30th!

Best of luck in any case

Yeah I know, I got it changed back in March when I set a new PB. I am happy to be running from Pen D (3:00-3:15). No congestion from there last year.

EauRouge79 · 17-09-2012 10:45pm

I assume that the 3 hr pacers will be at the front of Block D?

Rolex_ · 17-09-2012 10:58pm

EauRouge79 wrote: »

I assume that the 3 hr pacers will be at the front of Block D?

I would have thought with your recent form Eau that Herr Race Direktor would be asking you to carry a pacer's balloon yourself?:cool:

EauRouge79 · 17-09-2012 11:13pm

Rolex_ wrote: »

I would have thought with your recent form Eau that Herr Race Direktor would be asking you to carry a pacer's balloon yourself?:cool:

Leider habe ich nicht einen Ballon erhalten......:( *

Not a bad call though. If I bring along a couple of balloons for us and stick 3hrs on it, then failure is no longer an option! You are a genius.

*translation received via google translator!

My leaving cert German is a bit rusty, so had to get some help with that.

EauRouge79 · 17-09-2012 11:28pm

Judging by todays "countdown" article, Patrick Makau wont be defending his title in Berlin. A previous article claimed that he would be there.

The question raised in the article is who will challenge Geofrey Mutai?
Makau will instead be having a go at his own WR in Frankfurt in October. (perhaps BMW as sponsor has had a say here)

The elite fields in the Mens and Womens races dont appear as strong as in previous years and I guess this is to be expected in Olympic year.

tHE vAGGABOND · 18-09-2012 8:29am

I think the big question is who will challenge CL for the title of first non-African woman home

Rolex_ · 18-09-2012 9:42am

EauRouge79 wrote: »

Not a bad call though. If I bring along a couple of balloons for us and stick 3hrs on it, then failure is no longer an option! You are a genius.

Jaysus.. I dunno. I have horrible memories of sloping out of Croker in a red jersey, Munster having been annihilated by Leinster. I would have paid serious money for alternative clothing to avoid those smug D4s being able to identify my provinical origin

As long as you bring alternative (non-"Pacer") shirts and a pin to prick my balloon just in case... I'm on! .... :cool:

eliwallach · 18-09-2012 9:46pm

Is this being broadcast live on tv?

EauRouge79 · 19-09-2012 12:18am

I think I watched it on BBC last year? It was Paula Radcliffe's comeback but think they should it annually anyway. Should also be on Eurosport.

sideswipe · 19-09-2012 8:04am

eliwallach wrote: »

Is this being broadcast live on tv?

Eurosport are showing it according to their website.

tHE vAGGABOND · 19-09-2012 9:52am

Confirmed that Im now starting in block F thanks to a mail I sent after seeing this [I was in G] - my boards subscription paying for itself over and over - thanks guys...

Yea, assume eurosport are showing it, they had the Paris Marathon live earler in the year, so its a cheap sporting event Sky dont own but will have a bit of niche interest and therefore get some viewers and some sponsor cash in, so that's totally their bag :cool:

pyrat · 19-09-2012 3:30pm

Hi, I'm running at Berlin as well.

How do you find out your starting pen? Was there an email sent out recently with this information?

I received an email a while back with info to get into the pre-race place to pick up number etc, and a recent email for emergency contact info. Do you get the runners card in the post?

menoscemo · 19-09-2012 3:51pm

pyrat wrote: »

Hi, I'm running at Berlin as well.

How do you find out your starting pen? Was there an email sent out recently with this information?

I received an email a while back with info to get into the pre-race place to pick up number etc, and a recent email for emergency contact info. Do you get the runners card in the post?

When registering you were asked for your previous Marathon PB. Your starting pen will be based on this. You can see a list of the pens here:
http://www.bmw-berlin-marathon.com/en/event/start-finish-course.html

You should have got a registration confirmation for a few weeks ago? there is a document there to bring to the EXPO It should have your marathon PB listed.

I am guessing if it is your first marathon you will automatically be put in the back pen (Pen H), though I have heard anecdotally that you can plead your case at the expo and if lucky get a sticker put on your BIB which will allow you into a higher pen the morning of the race...

EauRouge79 · 19-09-2012 10:43pm

on the marathon homepage under list of participants, there is a new feature "Erdinger Motivationzone". Its designed for family member to leave a motivational message for us runners, the message appears as you pass a big screen at 34km - your timing chip prompts the message to appear on screen.
I guess you could stick up the message to give yourself a kick in the arse at that stage of the race?

Brianderunner · 20-09-2012 8:29am

EauRouge79 wrote: »

I think I watched it on BBC last year? It was Paula Radcliffe's comeback but think they should it annually anyway. Should also be on Eurosport.

BBC didn't show it in 2010, that was eurosport and the lack of a helicopter due to the weather. I'm guessing BBC showed it last year because of Radcliffe. With all the time they've devoted to athletics in 2012 i doubt they'll show it this year.

tHE vAGGABOND · 20-09-2012 9:28am

I *may* have to change my flights due to some work bull****; just wondering what flights are folks on?

Im currently Aer Lingus Friday 7am or so, and back on Wednesday night - may have to come home Monday or Tuesday now

Rolex_ · 20-09-2012 9:54am

tHE vAGGABOND wrote: »

I *may* have to change my flights due to some work bull****; just wondering what flights are folks on?

Im currently Aer Lingus Friday 7am or so, and back on Wednesday night - may have to come home Monday or Tuesday now

Out Friday evening and back Monday morning for me. Sadly I won't get to waddle around the Reichstag like a duck on Monday this year...;)

pyrat · 20-09-2012 10:27am

menoscemo wrote: »

When registering you were asked for your previous Marathon PB. Your starting pen will be based on this. You can see a list of the pens here:
http://www.bmw-berlin-marathon.com/en/event/start-finish-course.html

You should have got a registration confirmation for a few weeks ago? there is a document there to bring to the EXPO It should have your marathon PB listed.

I am guessing if it is your first marathon you will automatically be put in the back pen (Pen H), though I have heard anecdotally that you can plead your case at the expo and if lucky get a sticker put on your BIB which will allow you into a higher pen the morning of the race...

I have a marathon PB listed as 3:10:10 on the Expo card although it is my first marathon. Fingers crossed I can get into Pen D. Thanks for your help!

Rolex_ · 20-09-2012 10:29am

menoscemo wrote: »

Name - Bib - Prediction - Actual
menoscemo - 6825 - 3:04:59
Rolex_ - 31577 - 2:59:15
Vagga - 21555 - 3.35.00
macinalli - 19372 - 3:18
Sideswipe - 33268 - 3:29:599
Marthastew - F2203- 4.XX.XX
Mr Stew - 8782- 3.29.59
EauRouge- 21299 - 2:59:30
Pronator- 19343-02:xx:xx
Pre- - 02:02:59

Just a bit of updating. Anyone else heading over?

Any last minute additons??? Pyrat? Others?:D

Rolex_ · 20-09-2012 11:18am

Name - Bib - Prediction - Actual
menoscemo - 6825 - 3:04:59
Rolex_ - 31577 - 2:59:15
Vagga - 21555 - 3.35.00
macinalli - 19372 - 3:18
Sideswipe - 33268 - 3:29:599
Marthastew - F2203- 4.XX.XX
Mr Stew - 8782- 3.29.59
EauRouge- 21299 - 2:59:30
Pronator- 19343-02:xx:xx
Pre- - 02:02:59
claralara - F2068 -3:14:xx
digger - tbc - 3:19:xx

menoscemo · 20-09-2012 11:33am

pyrat wrote: »

I have a marathon PB listed as 3:10:10 on the Expo card although it is my first marathon. Fingers crossed I can get into Pen D. Thanks for your help!

I am pretty sure you will be in Pen D so. You must have emailed them before to tell them your expected finishing time?
My PB is the same so I'll be in Pen D too. What kind of time are you gunning for? I'll going out at 7 min/mile (about 3:04-3:05 pace).

pyrat · 20-09-2012 12:42pm

Yep, Pen D it is!

I am going for 2:59:30

Currently undecided as to whether to run with the 3:00:00 pacer or not. Had anyone here run a marathon with a pacer before? Is it any good?

menoscemo · 20-09-2012 1:25pm

pyrat wrote: »

Yep, Pen D it is!

I am going for 2:59:30

Currently undecided as to whether to run with the 3:00:00 pacer or not. Had anyone here run a marathon with a pacer before? Is it any good?

I have ran a marathon as a pacer though not with a pacer so i can't possibly comment :pac:.

They will have a fair crowd around them so you won't lack for company. I reckon the pacer will start at the back of Block C so just make sure you are up near the front of D if you want to follow the pacers.

Rememeber the most important thing though: Beers that evening in the Oscar Wilde Pub

village runner · 20-09-2012 1:37pm

pyrat wrote: »

Yep, Pen D it is!

I am going for 2:59:30

Currently undecided as to whether to run with the 3:00:00 pacer or not. Had anyone here run a marathon with a pacer before? Is it any good?

I ran 2.59 there 3 yrs ago and never saw a pacer and that was with a halfway in 89.49 odd. Best of luck finding him. In my opinion a runner aiming for sub 3 doesn't need a pacer.

EauRouge79 · 20-09-2012 1:44pm

pyrat wrote: »

Yep, Pen D it is!

I am going for 2:59:30

Currently undecided as to whether to run with the 3:00:00 pacer or not. Had anyone here run a marathon with a pacer before?

Hi pyrat,

Like Meno I have run as a pacer in the past but also as part of the following group. I would suggest that you should follow the pacer to let him to the calculations for you.
I will also be following the 3hr pacers, Rolex may do so also.

menoscemo wrote: »

They will have a fair crowd around them so you won't lack for company. I reckon the pacer will start at the back of Block C so just make sure you are up near the front of D if you want to follow the pacers.

I e-mailed them yesterday requesting that I be placed in the same pen that contains the 3 hr pacers.
They replied as follows
" Starting blocks are allocated according to previous marathon times, and not according to training times"

I would agree with you. Pacers will most likely be at the back of Block C.

neilc · 20-09-2012 2:13pm

village runner wrote: »

I ran 2.59 there 3 yrs ago and never saw a pacer and that was with a halfway in 89.49 odd. Best of luck finding him. In my opinion a runner aiming for sub 3 doesn't need a pacer.

Last year I went through half somewhere around 1:37:xx and if I recall correctly the 3hr pacers were within my view till at least mile 10 or 11.

TRR · 20-09-2012 2:18pm

village runner wrote: »

I ran 2.59 there 3 yrs ago and never saw a pacer and that was with a halfway in 89.49 odd. Best of luck finding him. In my opinion a runner aiming for sub 3 doesn't need a pacer.

Why? Surely same could be said for sub 4hr runner etc

Just because you are a potential sub 3 runner doesn't mean you are anything special!

Brianderunner · 20-09-2012 2:22pm

pyrat wrote: »

Yep, Pen D it is!

I am going for 2:59:30

Currently undecided as to whether to run with the 3:00:00 pacer or not. Had anyone here run a marathon with a pacer before? Is it any good?

I lined up 10-15m behind the 3 hr pacers last year, but by the time we got going, i was about 100m down on them due to the crowds. Be careful it doesnt happen to you and line up alongside them or slightly ahead of them.

As mentioned previously, there is a lot more running room on the left side of the dual carriageway, do your best to start on that side. Most people enter from the right side (north side) as the bag drop is that side. The pacers were on the right last year and had red balloons IIRC.

village runner wrote: »

In my opinion a runner aiming for sub 3 doesn't need a pacer.

All the top marathoners run with pacers. Look at Radcliffe's WR.

sideswipe · 20-09-2012 2:35pm

menoscemo wrote: »

I have ran a marathon as a pacer though not with a pacer so i can't possibly comment :pac:.

They will have a fair crowd around them so you won't lack for company. I reckon the pacer will start at the back of Block C so just make sure you are up near the front of D if you want to follow the pacers.

Rememeber the most important thing though: Beers that evening in the Oscar Wilde Pub

Whats the protocol with the beers Meno- straight to the pub using the race facilities to change or back back to hotels and out after that?

Reason I ask is my hotel is a fair distance in the opposite direction to Oscar Wilde.

menoscemo · 20-09-2012 3:30pm

sideswipe wrote: »

Whats the protocol with the beers Meno- straight to the pub using the race facilities to change or back back to hotels and out after that?

Reason I ask is my hotel is a fair distance in the opposite direction to Oscar Wilde.

haha, no Ireckon home first and change. There is talk of being in to watch the Hurling final replay.
Nothing is ever too far away in Berlin with the public transport system.

menoscemo · 20-09-2012 3:31pm

neilc wrote: »

Last year I went through half somewhere around 1:37:xx and if I recall correctly the 3hr pacers were within my view till at least mile 10 or 11.

I doubt that. I went through half way in 1:35:xx and the 3hr pacers were never in my view after the first mile or so.

Are you sure you are not confusing them with the 3:15 guys?

neilc · 20-09-2012 3:36pm

menoscemo wrote: »

I doubt that. I went through half way in 1:35:xx and the 3hr pacers were never in my view after the first mile or so.

Are you sure you are not confusing them with the 3:15 guys?

Yeah I could be

Marthastew · 20-09-2012 3:43pm

I just got a final reminder from Marathonfoto to see if I wanted to buy my photos from last year; Happy memories:) and I'm really looking forward to a weekend away in Berlin now

Mr Stew and I are travelling over on Saturday morning and back home on Monday morning, short but (hopefully) sweet trip.
Looking forward to seeing you all in The Oscar Wilde on Sunday evening

Rolex_ · 20-09-2012 4:05pm

pyrat wrote: »

Yep, Pen D it is!

I am going for 2:59:30

Currently undecided as to whether to run with the 3:00:00 pacer or not. Had anyone here run a marathon with a pacer before? Is it any good?

Good and bad but mostly good. My buddy and I tagged along behind the 3:15 pacer in Berlin last year from 10k to 35k. It took all the guess work out of it. Felt strong enough to overtake him at 35k and went for home. Assumed I was comfortaby under 3;15 until I saw him on my shoulder on Unter Den Linden in the last km. I put the foot down to stay ahead of him and finished in 3:14:37. I might have missed 3:15 only for him.

In London in April I tried to follow the (single!) 3 hr pacer.. I say "tried" because he had a tiny little lollypop sign which was hard to see. I used a lot of energy trying to keep him in my sights because there was a mob around him and he lacked visibility. He was the only 3 hr pacer and virtually none of the runners around him at 13.1 miles made the sub-3. (I lost him in Canary Wharf at about 21 and ran 3:02)

I havent completely decided but I think I have a better chance of nailing the sub-3 if I head out at 2:57 pace and allow for a 2-3 minute positive split. If you have one or two others running with you to ensure you stay on pace (no faster, no slower) up to 20M it is as effective as a pacer IMO. After 20M all bets are off anyway.

village runner · 20-09-2012 4:14pm

TRR wrote: »

village runner wrote: »

I ran 2.59 there 3 yrs ago and never saw a pacer and that was with a halfway in 89.49 odd. Best of luck finding him. In my opinion a runner aiming for sub 3 doesn't need a pacer.

Why? Surely same could be said for sub 4hr runner etc

Just because you are a potential sub 3 runner doesn't mean you are anything special!

Personally I don't trust them. Nothing to do with feeling any good. Let's say The pacers ran Thr first 3 miles in 6.30 a mile do you follow them. I like to run Thr first mile a few seconds slower than marathon pace. Most sub 3 attempts are runners who have ran a few marathons ran whereas 4 hours would be a lot of newcomers. No facts to base if on but I don't know many who attempted 3 on first attampt and loads who have attempted 4. Pacers are for personal preference. Not for me. With Paulas record I reckon it was a lot for wind etc and she probaly told him to speed up or slow accordingly.

grimbergen · 20-09-2012 10:11pm

Rolex_ wrote: »

Good and bad but mostly good. My buddy and I tagged along behind the 3:15 pacer in Berlin last year from 10k to 35k. It took all the guess work out of it. Felt strong enough to overtake him at 35k and went for home. Assumed I was comfortaby under 3;15 until I saw him on my shoulder on Unter Den Linden in the last km. I put the foot down to stay ahead of him and finished in 3:14:37. I might have missed 3:15 only for him.

In London in April I tried to follow the (single!) 3 hr pacer.. I say "tried" because he had a tiny little lollypop sign which was hard to see. I used a lot of energy trying to keep him in my sights because there was a mob around him and he lacked visibility. He was the only 3 hr pacer and virtually none of the runners around him at 13.1 miles made the sub-3. (I lost him in Canary Wharf at about 21 and ran 3:02)

I havent completely decided but I think I have a better chance of nailing the sub-3 if I head out at 2:57 pace and allow for a 2-3 minute positive split. If you have one or two others running with you to ensure you stay on pace (no faster, no slower) up to 20M it is as effective as a pacer IMO. After 20M all bets are off anyway.

Jaysus, the pressure on that poor bastard pacing a 3hr group by himself in London! How can one of the so-called Big 5 marathons not have back-up pacers

Rolex_ · 20-09-2012 10:56pm

grimbergen wrote: »

Jaysus, the pressure on that poor bastard pacing a 3hr group by himself in London! How can one of the so-called Big 5 marathons not have back-up pacers

Yea fair point. In fairness to the guy he took me through the 1/2 in exactly 1:30..... and BBC were there to show him live bringing James Cracknell home shoulder-to-shoulder in 2:59:xx. Sadly I was a good 500m behind at that stage, no fault of the pacer.

Berlin when I was there last year had 2 pacers for 3:15 who ran with a gap of ??? 50 metres between them. They had big balloons and you could spot them easily from either side of the road and from hundreds of meteres behind. I presume it will be the same this year..in which case I would tuck in 50-100 meteres behind the pacer where you can see everything and where it's a bit less congested with less risk of getting tripped up etc

TRR · 20-09-2012 11:05pm

grimbergen wrote: »

Jaysus, the pressure on that poor bastard pacing a 3hr group by himself in London! How can one of the so-called Big 5 marathons not have back-up pacers

Just to point out what a good job Kurt Godel and the DCM crowd do regards pacers, that guy was one of three 3hr pacers last year.

Rolex_ · 20-09-2012 11:12pm

08:00–14:00

13° 0.2 mm vindpil.0050.230.png

Gentle breeze, 4 m/s from southwest

I'd take that!

menoscemo · 20-09-2012 11:19pm

Rolex_ wrote: »

08:00–14:0013° 0.2 mmGentle breeze, 4 m/s from southwest

I'd take that!

You can tell people are really starting to ge the taper madness when the weather watching begins. :pac:

I'd definitely take that too.

pyrat · 21-09-2012 11:13am

Great stuff, thanks for all the replies. I think I will try and run with the pacers if it works out that I am around them.

Will go to Oscar Wilde on Sunday night as well for sure!

opus · 21-09-2012 12:14pm

menoscemo wrote: »

You can tell people are really starting to ge the taper madness when the weather watching begins. :pac:

I'd definitely take that too.

Think I was checking the weather forecast from around 10 days beforehand and it had moved to hourly checking by now

Btw I'd recommend the Segway tour if anyone is looking for something to do on Sat that doesn't involve too much walking, it was great crack last year especially if you've never ridden (driven?) a Segway before.

Hope everyone has a great run on the day!

sideswipe · 21-09-2012 7:42pm

menoscemo wrote: »

You can tell people are really starting to ge the taper madness when the weather watching begins. :pac:

Yep, never really suffered too bad from pre race jitters before, but after 2 epic fails in my last 2 marathons I'm far more nervous than before my first marathon. Mental dreams and unable to think about anything else.
Think I'll be a wreck by this time next week:pac:

EauRouge79 · 22-09-2012 11:22pm

Sunday 30/09/2012
02:00–08:00

14°5.4 mm

Gentle breeze, 4 m/s from north-northwest
08:00–14:00

13°3.1 mm

Gentle breeze, 4 m/s from northwest
14:00–20:00

13°0.5 mm

Gentle breeze, 5 m/s from north-northwest

Sorry, I really am bored. More weather predicting !
not looking so good this time around.

Rolex_ · 23-09-2012 12:47pm

A drop of rain won't kill us... main thing is no high winds or temperatures >18C forecast at all for the next week. You all set?

Berlin Marathon 30/9/2012

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