Berlin Marathon - 2019

Applegirl26 · 24-04-2019 4:06pm

Pink11 wrote: »

Hi all, Ryanair have a sale on at the moment. Return flight on Sunday 18:10pm is only 50euro! I'm thinking of cancelling my second night in the hotel and going home Sunday night. I have seen Berlin already so would have no real reason to hang around.
Will it be easy enough to get a taxi about 3/3.30pm or do they close the roads?
My hotel is near start line so shouldn't be too much of a delay after.

Would you not be putting yourself under more stress right after a marathon by catching a flight out so soon after finishing?
Is there a later one that night you could get?

Pink11 · 24-04-2019 4:26pm

Applegirl26 wrote: »

Would you not be putting yourself under more stress right after a marathon by catching a flight out so soon after finishing?
Is there a later one that night you could get?

I'm the kind of person who just likes to get home and shower after a race so thought maybe it'd suit better.

The idea of saving approx 130euro from cancelling the 2nd night in the hotel and the extra money the flights on Monday cost is very appealing, I'm tempted!

Would it be too stressful though I wonder? First time going abroad for a marathon.

Applegirl26 · 24-04-2019 4:34pm

Pink11 wrote: »

I'm the kind of person who just likes to get home and shower after a race so thought maybe it'd suit better.

The idea of saving approx 130euro from cancelling the 2nd night in the hotel and the extra money the flights on Monday cost is very appealing, I'm tempted!

Would it be too stressful though I wonder? First time going abroad for a marathon.

I can understand why you're considering it. The cost adds up for sure. I paid for my trip by working some overtime.

I've only done one marathon abroad and I caught a flight home around 2200 that night. That was manageable, though I was a bit under pressure to get back to the hotel in time to shower and I wanted to lie down for a bit too. There's no way I would have managed a flight at 1800.

Pink11 · 24-04-2019 4:40pm

Thanks for that, I need to have a think and stop getting carried away with the ryanair sale bargin!

Glencarraig · 24-04-2019 8:46pm

Pink11 wrote: »

Thanks for that, I need to have a think and stop getting carried away with the ryanair sale bargin!

Just an observation from last year......Berlin Schonefeld airport is a kip. The plus is that it has a train connection. The other Berlin airport only has a bus connection.

Pink11 · 25-04-2019 12:15am

Glencarraig wrote: »

Just an observation from last year......Berlin Schonefeld airport is a kip. The plus is that it has a train connection. The other Berlin airport only has a bus connection.

Did you do it before? I'm curious how crazy the traffic on marathon day would be by 3.30pm? If I can jump in a taxi at that time I'll make the flight.

Glencarraig · 25-04-2019 9:02pm

Pink11 wrote: »

Did you do it before? I'm curious how crazy the traffic on marathon day would be by 3.30pm? If I can jump in a taxi at that time I'll make the flight.

From what I remember a lot of the roads were still closed at that stage, airport buses were not running and you might have to get away from the central area to find a taxi. I didnt leave until the following morning so didnt have the hassle.

Pink11 · 25-04-2019 10:59pm

Glencarraig wrote: »

From what I remember a lot of the roads were still closed at that stage, airport buses were not running and you might have to get away from the central area to find a taxi. I didnt leave until the following morning so didnt have the hassle.

Think it's best I avoid the 6pm flight, it'll be too stressy you guys are right. Thanks.

Applegirl26 · 27-05-2019 11:22am

Anybody starting their training this week?

MacSwifty · 27-05-2019 12:45pm

Yep!!!

18 fun weeks ahead

Pink11 · 29-05-2019 6:17pm

Kicked off this week too, happy training to you all!

Younganne · 29-05-2019 6:23pm

I started an 18 week specific plan this week too. I've been building back up from zero for the past 12 week with a few setbacks.

I'm doing up to 40 miles per week with the longest LR going to be 17m. Time will not be a major factor in this marathon just want to get around in one piece.

Hopefully the 18 weeks will go smoothly, for us all.

galwayspur · 30-05-2019 1:50pm

Yep I'm getting going this week as well.

My third marathon, first time running Berlin. Really looking forward to it, it's a great city.

Best of luck with the training all

Krusty_Clown · 30-05-2019 2:01pm

Well, this is my third year signing up for Berlin in in a row, but have yet to make the start line. :rolleyes: Just booked flights in an out of Poland (with carry-ons) for €90/person, which is a decent saving on flying to Berlin. Flying into Poznan arriving Friday morning, and flying out of Szczecin Monday night. Will mean hiring a car (€120) and driving the 2-3 hour journey to Berlin, but much rather do that than hand over the extra €400 (two people) to the scalping airlines. Plus if injury besets me again, we'll just stay in Poznan!

Didn't realize we'd hit the 18 week mark, but my base (while not a patch on previous years) is pretty ok. Not hoping for anything spectacular, just would be great to make the start line and run a race I'd be satisfied with. This time last year, I thought I was done for good, so I'm just glad to be looking forward to some marathon training.

adrian522 · 30-05-2019 2:23pm

Best of luck everyone. I had an option to enter this year after not running last year but decided against it. It's a good race, just remember the Brandenburg Gate is not the finish line!

healy1835 · 04-06-2019 6:53pm

If anyone has a hotel room booked that they might not end up using could they PM me please. Have a mate running who hasn't sorted accommodation yet and I said I'd ask around on these parts

opus · 04-06-2019 8:31pm

Think it will be a 12 week program for me as have to face a bit of a long jog at Comrades next w/end so might need a week or two to recover. Don't forget about Berlin's only (at the moment) parkrun on the Sat, should be good fun.

ISOP · 07-06-2019 8:57am

opus wrote: »

Don't forget about Berlin's only (at the moment) parkrun on the Sat, should be good fun.

Going to be some crowd at that I'd say

loveisdivine · 07-06-2019 10:06am

opus wrote: »

Think it will be a 12 week program for me as have to face a bit of a long jog at Comrades next w/end so might need a week or two to recover. Don't forget about Berlin's only (at the moment) parkrun on the Sat, should be good fun.

We've done that one before. Area is pretty dodgy, but its a nice run. Lots of red squirrels around. Also a bit of a free for all for drug dealers, they have little campsites set up in the trees across the park and do their dealing from them. It's a little amusing because when the police did a walk past while we were there they all scattered, then once the police left, they all just came back and carried on. Didn't feel unsafe, but wouldn't want to be there after dark, that's for sure.

I've had IT band issues since the start of the year so only just starting running properly again in the last few weeks. Just doing 5k's at the minute so training is definitely not where I wanted it to be, given this is my first marathon. But I'm still confident I'll finish.

Applegirl26 · 13-06-2019 3:06pm

I have deferred my place in Berlin until 2020.
Just wanted to wish you all the very best of luck with your training and in September.
I'll be rooting for you all.

ISOP · 13-06-2019 8:06pm

Kicked off a 16 week training block on Monday which I aim to follow as closely as possible.

ReeReeG · 14-06-2019 12:26pm

Applegirl26 wrote: »

I have deferred my place in Berlin until 2020.
Just wanted to wish you all the very best of luck with your training and in September.
I'll be rooting for you all.

Sorry to see this L, hope all is ok

Dealerz2.0 · 14-06-2019 12:38pm

Applegirl26 wrote: »

I have deferred my place in Berlin until 2020.
Just wanted to wish you all the very best of luck with your training and in September.
I'll be rooting for you all.

Sorry to hear this L

healy1835 · 19-06-2019 10:17am

Anyone know of any instance of a 3rd party picking up the race number in Berlin? Asking for a friend (seriously! haven't drastically changed my Autumn plans or anything

). I know the website is pretty clear that you have to collect in person with your ID and Start Card, and my own memories of the expo was that it was pretty business like.

opus · 19-06-2019 11:04am

A friend collected mine for me before but that was ~5 years ago so might have changed now.

eve · 20-06-2019 2:16pm

At the expo last September everyone got a wristband that was heat sealed to your wrist as you entered the expo building. You had to show your acceptance letter and ID to get it (mine had different surnames but they still gave me one without questioning it). We we told at the time that you needed to have that on your wrist on the Sunday morning in order to get into the secure area. As i had one, i didnt have an issue but i dont know what they did with any person who turned up with a race number but with no wristband

galwayspur · 08-07-2019 3:08pm

As the weekly LSRs start to steadily increase in distance over the next few weeks, I’m looking ahead to fuelling during the race and working it into training. Has anybody here used the ‘ultraSPORTS’ gels or drinks before? Or seen them on sale here anywhere? I wouldn’t mind trying them out in advance seeing as that’s the brand used on the course. I’m travelling light and have a stopover each way so wanted to bring as little as possible with me. Thanks.

Pink11 · 15-07-2019 10:02am

Applegirl26 wrote: »

I have deferred my place in Berlin until 2020.
Just wanted to wish you all the very best of luck with your training and in September.
I'll be rooting for you all.

I'm so sorry to hear that, hope you're ok.

I'm thinking of deferring too, I have a niggling knee issue and physio thinks continuing marathon training may end in a big blowout. Have just emailed them asking for the deferral form

I've free cancellation on my hotel, but have flights paid for. (edit: I got a great 4 star hotel very near start/finish line if anyone would like it? Can swap the names).

They got back to me, will get a refund on all the merch (thankfully!). Don't get a refund on the marathon place (no shock there) but get 40euro off registering next year. That's pretty cool if you ask me! Grateful for that.

Applegirl26 · 16-07-2019 10:11pm

Pink11 wrote: »

I'm so sorry to hear that, hope you're ok.

I'm thinking of deferring too, I have a niggling knee issue and physio thinks continuing marathon training may end in a big blowout. Have just emailed them asking for the deferral form

I've free cancellation on my hotel, but have flights paid for. (edit: I got a great 4 star hotel very near start/finish line if anyone would like it? Can swap the names).

They got back to me, will get a refund on all the merch (thankfully!). Don't get a refund on the marathon place (no shock there) but get 40euro off registering next year. That's pretty cool if you ask me! Grateful for that.

Hi pink, it's a difficult decision to make for sure.

Hope your knee is on the mend.

Younganne · 17-07-2019 12:57pm

Applegirl26 wrote: »

Hi pink, it's a difficult decision to make for sure.

Hope your knee is on the mend.

Applegirl sorry to hear you've had to defer, hope leg is on the mend again now.

Pink hope your knee improves with some rest and you make the best decision for you. I had to defer marathons & Donadea 50k in the last 2 years and hindsight it was the best decision for me. I'm now on the road to recovery and doing good a atm.

Taz18 · 29-07-2019 8:32pm

Hi everyone, my husband is doing Berlin this year and we have flights and hotel booked. Only just realised today that the expo closes at 7pm on sat and our flight is due to get in at 6.30pm so no chance we will make it ðŸ˜«ðŸ˜« any ideas? Any chance you think we' could contact the organisers and find a solution. Beginning to panic now and the earliest flight is now up at over 300 euro each which we just can't afford. The two days is costing a fortune as is ðŸ˜ðŸ˜

The Davestator · 30-07-2019 9:53am

Taz18 wrote: »

Hi everyone, my husband is doing Berlin this year and we have flights and hotel booked. Only just realised today that the expo closes at 7pm on sat and our flight is due to get in at 6.30pm so no chance we will make it &#55357;&#56875;&#55357;&#56875; any ideas? Any chance you think we' could contact the organisers and find a solution. Beginning to panic now and the earliest flight is now up at over 300 euro each which we just can't afford. The two days is costing a fortune as is &#55357;&#56877;&#55357;&#56877;

He could fly Dublin to Manchester & Manchester to Berlin for €98. Long day but lands in Berlin at 3.30 pm. (Check out sky scanner for the details)

ligerdub · 31-07-2019 1:31pm

I see a flight to Berlin departing at 6.45am on Saturday the 28th of September for €117 (or 101 through an agent). It's a direct flight with Aer Lingus.

Davestator's suggestion looks decent too. Alternatively you can fly to Frankfurt that morning for €25 and get a train to Berlin likely arriving around 5pm. Long day though.

Younganne · 26-08-2019 12:41pm

So with ongoing problems with my feet and a light bulb moment the other morning

I've decided to defer Berlin until 2020.

Its the most sensible thing to do as even though i wasn't bothered about time I am a bit bothered about been able to get the whole way round considering the state my feet are after 16m run. And i want to enjoy the Berlin experience.

This way it gives me 4 extra weeks to get sorted and fully fit for Dublin. I won't be racing Dublin as still a long way off with my fitness but hoping for a good experience for marathon #10

Best of luck to everyone with the last 5 weeks.

loveisdivine · 02-09-2019 11:00am

When we entered the draw we just put a bag down for myself and the poncho for my husband as we don't need 2 bags. But just thinking my husband is gonna be finished a good hour or more before me, will he be able to pick up the bag on my behalf?

Glencarraig · 02-09-2019 5:35pm

loveisdivine wrote: »

When we entered the draw we just put a bag down for myself and the poncho for my husband as we don't need 2 bags. But just thinking my husband is gonna be finished a good hour or more before me, will he be able to pick up the bag on my behalf?

They wont give out a bag without a number

loveisdivine · 03-09-2019 12:16pm

Glencarraig wrote: »

They wont give out a bag without a number

Thanks, I'll have to get on to them and see if we can add a bag to his entry.

I'm fairly certain we only chose a bag for one of us but it's a shame you can't easily check it somewhere. I went back to the email I got confirming our team entry into the lottery and it has total cost of €262 (so 2 entries) but under registration details it only seems to give the details for one person. He didn't get that email either, it was only me as I made the entry. Any subsequent email either of us have received has made no mention of what we selected when we entered the lottery.

loveisdivine · 03-09-2019 2:36pm

OK so there's no way to change the bag and he can't collect on my behalf. Would anyone have any other ideas for bag storage that he could get to after the race?

galwayspur · 03-09-2019 3:39pm

You could give the luggage lockers at Berlin Hauptbahnhof a go. They have smallish ones which are located outside in one of the car park areas and I think they cost about a fiver. Probably looking at 10-15 mins of a walk from the finish area though and I reckon a good few competitors will be using them on the day.

loveisdivine · 03-09-2019 3:44pm

galwayspur wrote: »

You could give the luggage lockers at Berlin Hauptbahnhof a go. They have smallish ones which are located outside in one of the car park areas and I think they cost about a fiver. Probably looking at 10-15 mins of a walk from the finish area though and I reckon a good few competitors will be using them on the day.

Yeah I was just looking at that sort of thing. The hotel we are staying has another location that's a 10 minute walk from the gate, I'm sure we could leave a bag there as we are staying at the sister hotel. But it's still a 10 minute walk.

opus · 05-09-2019 2:44pm

You'll probably recognise the closing stages of the marathon from this pic. Spotted it at an exhibition in UCC earlier. Not that long ago either!

tbukela · 09-09-2019 11:27am

I got the Start Card email last week but I can't see where it says what wave I'm in.

Am I missing something or is this information providing closer to the race?

loveisdivine · 09-09-2019 1:55pm

tbukela wrote: »

I got the Start Card email last week but I can't see where it says what wave I'm in.

Am I missing something or is this information providing closer to the race?

Mine doesn't say it either. I think it depends on what predicted time you put down when entering. I know I'm in the last one cos it was 4:15 and over/first timers.

09-09-2019 2:06pm

loveisdivine wrote: »

I think it depends on what predicted time you put down when entering

Yep, the splits for each block are in the handbook here: https://www.bmw-berlin-marathon.com/en/your-preparation/participant-info/ (Page 36)

ISOP · 15-09-2019 4:51pm

Last of the longer runs today with 18 miles. Only a 12 miler next Sunday and that is nearly it. Have to say I am looking forward to an easy week or two after 14 weeks of it. Training has gone very well. Have hit every single session on the plan. Only hiccup so far was a fairly heavy cold this week which I managed to work through.

robinph · 18-09-2019 1:50pm

Looks like I might have had my arm twisted into the job of running as a guide for a blind runner in Berlin at the last minute. Just having a look at might flight options to get there on the Saturday and back on the Sunday. Saw a mention earlier up the thread about Schonefeld being relatively easy to get to compared with the other Berlin airport.

Not certain what wave they would have us starting in, or if it might even be setting of early for the VI runners although I can only see the hand bikes listed as early starters. How big a gap do they leave between the waves? How feasible would it be for me to make a 4:45pm flight from Schonefeld assuming a 3:30hr worst case run?

opus · 18-09-2019 3:02pm

I'd normally take the S9 from the Hbf, it's ~50 mins as far as I remember & then around a 15 min walk to the baggage check area. Assuming you'd want to be there around 15:30 at the latest then you'd need to be catching that S-bahn at 14:05 (I have the DB app on my phone so I checked the time table for it).

It's around a 20 min walk from the Brandenburger Tor to the train station I'd guess. They have showers at the finish area so you could get your bag, take a shower & hit the road if the times work out.

robinph · 18-09-2019 3:08pm

That almost leaves time for a post run drink, think I can cope with that.

Bez Bing · 18-09-2019 3:49pm

Bit of a problem here, hurt my calf on my last 'long run' on Sunday. Was supposed to run 16m but only managed 8m and had to stop.

Been to the physio and I hope he can get me to the start line but if I do I won't have run much (if at all) in the last 2 weeks.

My training up to now has been decent i.e. 3 20m+ runs, a 12m with 10 @MP last week, a 1/2 marathon race etc.

Anyone speculate on the impact no running in the last 2 weeks will have?

Unthought Known · 18-09-2019 6:35pm

Bez Bing wrote: »

Anyone speculate on the impact no running in the last 2 weeks will have?

It's taper time so it wont have much impact. I wouldn't stress about it at this stage, rest up and make sure you get to the start line.
Fyi, I had to do the same for Manchester this year, I think I managed 1 easy 3-4 miler in the last 2 weeks. Ended up being my strongest marathon and finished with a PB.

Berlin Marathon - 2019

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