Berlin 2015 - Pre registration

Lex Luther

Hi , sorry if I've missed an existing thread.
Just wondered has anyone else had any difficulty registering on teh web-site ..or is it just me !?
Everytime I click on the link I just get a picture of teh Brandenburg gate and I cant figure out what I'm doing wrong - its driving me nuts !
The clock is ticking to the 2nd November deadline and any help would be really appreciated !
Lex

Aarnikotka

https://portal.mikatiming.de/event/scc-events/marathon/2015/en/

Sorry if I added the link incorrectly, but paste it into your browser and it should work. Or maybe try a different browser? (If you haven't already)

Lex Luther

Aarnikotka wrote: »

https://portal.mikatiming.de/event/scc-events/marathon/2015/en/

Sorry if I added the link incorrectly, but paste it into your browser and it should work. Or maybe try a different browser? (If you haven't already)

thanks a million , that worked ! ( dont know how I missed that, must be old age)
Lex

Creative Juices

Howdy, I have been thinking of running a marathon outside Ireland and I was reading up about Berlin. I was shocked to see that registration ends on Nov2.
What chance do I have of getting a place if I register and is it a good marathon?

rom

http://www.bmw-berlin-marathon.com/en/plan-your-race/registration-2015.html

Fast runners can secure a guaranteed spot:

Male Runners: under 2:45hours – Age 45 and up (age group 1970 and older) : under 2:55 hours
Female runners: under 3:00 hours – Age 45 and up (age group 1970 and older): under 3:20 hours

Harder times than New York now. Its better than all lottery.

Lex Luther

Creative Juices wrote: »

Howdy, I have been thinking of running a marathon outside Ireland and I was reading up about Berlin. I was shocked to see that registration ends on Nov2.
What chance do I have of getting a place if I register and is it a good marathon?

based on 2014 I'd say 60/40 in favour of "winnng" the lotter.
i've done a few marathons around the place and I would say Berlin is the best I've done

28064212

rom wrote: »

http://www.bmw-berlin-marathon.com/en/plan-your-race/registration-2015.html

Fast runners can secure a guaranteed spot:

Male Runners: under 2:45hours – Age 45 and up (age group 1970 and older) : under 2:55 hours
Female runners: under 3:00 hours – Age 45 and up (age group 1970 and older): under 3:20 hours

Harder times than New York now. Its better than all lottery.

Anybody know if qualifying times entry closes on November 2nd as well? Or will I have to take my chances with the lottery?

Creative Juices

Lex Luther wrote: »

i've done a few marathons around the place and I would say Berlin is the best I've done

Do you mind me asking for what reasons?

Running Fool

An issue for me though is with this new bank account debit system if I enter with my partner, only one of us may get in and then we're automatically debited. Even though we'll only do it if both of us get in? There's not other way round it?

Lex Luther

Creative Juices wrote: »

Do you mind me asking for what reasons?

very well organised, very very flat quick course, all of the course within the city, so few "boring "bits , huge, noisy, fun support along course, easy to get to start area, very runner friendly, cheap city to stay in, easy flights to/from, very good expo, free (non alcoholic) beer afterwards, very nice weather ( can be too hot from some, but I prefer warm).
I have done London, Boston, New York, Rotterdam, Dublin, Edinburgh and I would put Berlin at top of my list..
Hope that helps
Lex

Peckham

Lex Luther wrote:

I have done London, Boston, New York, Rotterdam, Dublin, Edinburgh and I would put Berlin at top of my list.. Hope that helps Lex

Each to their own, but I would place Berlin as my least favourite marathon (behind Dublin, London, Boston and Chicago). I thought it was so dull, lacking atmosphere, disorganised expo, poorly managed starting pens. Also, the city doesn't seem to embrace the race in the same way as others.

And that's despite it being one of only two races where I went sub-3.

Creative Juices

Lex Luther wrote: »

very well organised, very very flat quick course, all of the course within the city, so few "boring "bits , huge, noisy, fun support along course, easy to get to start area, very runner friendly, cheap city to stay in, easy flights to/from, very good expo, free (non alcoholic) beer afterwards, very nice weather ( can be too hot from some, but I prefer warm).
I have done London, Boston, New York, Rotterdam, Dublin, Edinburgh and I would put Berlin at top of my list..
Hope that helps
Lex

Thank you. It does sound really good in many respects. I have been reading reviews and there are some that think it's too crowded and they gave out about a few other items (number pickup was very time consuming and water stations badly managed). I would be hoping for a PB but not sure Berlin can provide that now. Which marathon was your fastest? Which was your favourite between Ireland and UK?

Lex Luther

Creative Juices wrote: »

Thank you. It does sound really good in many respects. I have been reading reviews and there are some that think it's too crowded and they gave out about a few other items (number pickup was very time consuming and water stations badly managed). I would be hoping for a PB but not sure Berlin can provide that now. Which marathon was your fastest? Which was your favourite between Ireland and UK?

Dublin was my fastest (2.59), I haven't done that many in ROI/UK (Dublin, Connemara,Edinburgh, Luton, London) so I'm not the best judge maybe..but London is great and if you cant get into London, Edinburgh is a quick course...i'm probably going to try Manchester in April 15...but as Peckham says each to their own, and everyone has their own experiences.
Lex

ergo

just threw my name in the hat for this

it closes at midnight tonight

run_Forrest_run

my name is also in the hat for this one, would be nice to get a chance to get a pop at this one...and to hit the clubs after

ciaranmac

MY name is in the hat too. When I registered I assumed it would be massively oversubscribed but maybe I was too pessimistic. Vielen Gluck!

Cona

I expect that your chances for getting a place this year will be quite high.

Last year, the opened up the system so that anyone could just apply (and pay later). This means that everyone and their uncle would throw their name in and decide later, once they were accepted if they would run it. This year stops a lot of that having to put your credit card details with the entry form.

Also, last year was very easy to enter your own name multiple times giving you an even greater chance. This year that is gone as well.

run_Forrest_run

Cona wrote: »

I expect that your chances for getting a place this year will be quite high.

Last year, the opened up the system so that anyone could just apply (and pay later). This means that everyone and their uncle would throw their name in and decide later, once they were accepted if they would run it. This year stops a lot of that having to put your credit card details with the entry form.

Also, last year was very easy to enter your own name multiple times giving you an even greater chance. This year that is gone as well.

it seems mad to think the well organised Germans managed it that way last year, seems like a bit of a cock up. Glad they improved it for next year.

Cona

run_Forrest_run wrote: »

it seems mad to think the well organised Germans managed it that way last year, seems like a bit of a cock up. Glad they improved it for next year.

I agree that it was a bit mad like that last year, but I took advantage of the system and got 2 entries.Unfortunately due to other events I had to pull out from doing it, after paying the entry fee.

This year, I was considering throwing my name in the hat again but its not clear what happens if I get an entry and my running partner doesn't. If that was to happen I wouldn't do it as I would have to go over on my own...Do you know if they are automatically charging you once you get picked out or do you still have the chance to cancel depending on the ballot results?

Cona

Just looked up the marathon website, and it says clearly that if you are picked from the ballot the money will be automatically drawn from your account.
Not great unless you are happy to go over and run on your own

run_Forrest_run

yeah, the payment is automatic. Luckily one of the lads going over is a guaranteed entry cos he's a speedy

El Director

Right. Did not realise that there was a lotto system for enters for this and missed the boat. Does anyone know if they open up again for eateries later in the year or I'd there is another way to enter, like running for a charity for example?

sideswipe

El Director wrote: »

Right. Did not realise that there was a lotto system for enters for this and missed the boat. Does anyone know if they open up again for eateries later in the year or I'd there is another way to enter, like running for a charity for example?

I did it with sports travel in 2012 and would recommend them. Very professional and well priced.

El Director

sideswipe wrote: »

I did it with sports travel in 2012 and would recommend them. Very professional and well priced.

Thanks buddy

RacoonQueen

El Director wrote: »

Right. Did not realise that there was a lotto system for enters for this and missed the boat. Does anyone know if they open up again for eateries later in the year or I'd there is another way to enter, like running for a charity for example?

Last year there was a 'second round' but that was for people who had missed out on the first round lottery and they were put back in. With the different system this year, they *may* open it back up.

Murph_D

They also open up another 1000 places at a higher rate later (it mentions this on the site). Think it was about 60 euros extra, the difference going to a childrens charity. Much cheaper than the likes of a London charity entry. Check last year's thread for details. A few of us got in that way last year.

bigslice

If I'm not mistaken, successful emails and I presume payments for Berlin are been taken from tomorrow.

Do you get an email telling you you've missed out or is it a case that if you don't get the good news, you just take it as missing out?

Thanks

bigslice

http://www.bmw-berlin-marathon.com/en/plan-your-race/list-of-participants.html

Made the cut! Delighted.

belcarra

bigslice wrote: »

http://www.bmw-berlin-marathon.com/en/plan-your-race/list-of-participants.html

Made the cut! Delighted.

Me too! Woo-hoo!

run_Forrest_run

belcarra wrote: »

Me too! Woo-hoo!

did you get an email or did you have to check the list yourselves?

belcarra

run_Forrest_run wrote: »

did you get an email or did you have to check the list yourselves?

As I was reading Bigslice's post I searched the link and found my details just as my email came into me! So, both!

MacSwifty

Nothing for me!!

ciaranmac

Ich bin ein Berliner!

racheljev

I'm in! Woohoo!

sideswipe

I'm in too! Is it to early to discuss a suitable watering hole for post race drinks!!!

belcarra

sideswipe wrote: »

I'm in too! Is it to early to discuss a suitable watering hole for post race drinks!!!

Never too early!
After experiencing the Oscar Wilde this year I think I may be open to an alternative next year! If anybody would like to nominate a new bar then I'm all ears. Maybe a local brew bar as opposed to an Irish bar?!

Any idea what time you'll be aiming for at this remote juncture Sideswipe?
No idea myself but at least now I have my 10 month plan to prepare!!

sideswipe

belcarra wrote: »

Never too early!
After experiencing the Oscar Wilde this year I think I may be open to an alternative next year! If anybody would like to nominate a new bar then I'm all ears. Maybe a local brew bar as opposed to an Irish bar?!

Any idea what time you'll be aiming for at this remote juncture Sideswipe?
No idea myself but at least now I have my 10 month plan to prepare!!

Somewhere between 3 and 3:10 hopefully. As regards post race- I'll go with the flow but would concur with a more 'local' spot.

bigslice

Will have a read of last years thread but anyone give a quick heads up on logistics. A few obvious questions:

Fly in morning before straight to expo and then relax. Or fly in two days before?
Hotels or general area to be looking at for staying?

Thanks

eamont

Why do I get the feeling the ballot wasnt all that random. Dublin our fair capital has quiet a few entries. Sunny Sligo has one. Out of six of us applying, the one lad that got in was from Cork.

Here's hoping for a 2nd chance later in the year.

Good luck to all thats got in, might still venture over for ze beer

run_Forrest_run

just got the email...Kein Losglück :-(

run_Forrest_run

eamont wrote: »

Why do I get the feeling the ballot wasnt all that random. Dublin our fair capital has quiet a few entries. Sunny Sligo has one. Out of six of us applying, the one lad that got in was from Cork.

Here's hoping for a 2nd chance later in the year.

Good luck to all thats got in, might still venture over for ze beer

I'm in Cork too and didn't get in.

SnappyDresser

As this is definitely my last ever marathon was delighted to get the nod today. Will check out the logistics by going over last years thread. Would be willing to meet up with others for post marathon beer!:)

Murph_D

belcarra wrote: »

Me too! Woo-hoo!

What, again?

ergo

run_Forrest_run wrote: »

just got the email...Kein Losglück :-(

same here - sure we'll see what happens if they release extra places etc

Bartinsbay

Hi guys,

Unfortunately I got my "No Luck" email yesterday. I stupidly took advice from a friend and booked 2 sets of flights, for my wife and I, last week. He told me it would be no bother getting a place. How wrong he was. I am now going to pin my hopes of getting one of the 1000 RTL places. Does anyone know if these are allocated on a first come first served basis or is there another ballot. I was so looking forward to this marathon and am gutted not to have got a place. If anyone can give me any tips about how to get one of the charity place it would be greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks.

adrian522

I didn't get any email but I searched myself on the above link and there I am. Nice little surprise for me today....

EDIT: Thay haven't taken any money either, a bit confused now.

coco7

I didn't get an email either but then I checked my junk folder and found it there! So time to start organising the rest of the logistics now.

tunguska

Does anybody know if they allow number swaps? I got in but it turns out I wont be able to do the race.

adrian522

Doesn't look like it:

http://www.bmw-berlin-marathon.com/en/plan-your-race/cancellation-exchange.html

tunguska

adrian522 wrote: »

Doesn't look like it:

http://www.bmw-berlin-marathon.com/en/plan-your-race/cancellation-exchange.html

Well nuts to that so. Cheers

adrian522

adrian522 wrote: »

I didn't get any email but I searched myself on the above link and there I am. Nice little surprise for me today....

EDIT: Thay haven't taken any money either, a bit confused now.

Just checked again and I'm no longer on the list of participants. They musty have decided they didn't want me after all.

I never received any email from them at all.

Have people had money taken out of their accounts yet?