Berlin Marathon - 2019

Booked a package with Sports Tours International - 2 of us going. Used their UK site and saved a good bit.. especially the way STG is at moment.

Work's out not a whole lot more than it would of anyway as either way we would have needed accommodation and flights. We have gone for a "nicer" hotel.. may as well live it up and enjoy the experience.

Seems in general like loads of hotel options in Berlin and all walking distance to start/finish. Probably could have got flights cheaper if had committed earlier but over all working out circa €800 each for 3 nights incl flights and 5* hotel B&B + marathon entry. To put it in context... Ironman Cork is costing me a lot more as I am paying a high entry fee, hotel for the family for 3 nights etc..

This running and fitness thing is an expensive.. but addictive.. business! Can't wait for the trip to Berlin! Will be an interesting city to see and enjoy.. and might go for an aul run on the Sunday..

To those who got in, did you get a welcome pack of some sort in the post?

I still haven't received anything in the post but can see my race entry on the app which is a relief.

Husband and I are the same. Definitely registered but nothing in the post.

28064212 wrote: »

Why are you expecting anything in the post? Your confirmation email said your bank account/card would be debited in a couple of days, and then you'll get an email in mid-September. No mention of anything to be posted

Mate who did it years ago told me he got a 'welcome/info pack' few months after ballot results were confirmed so was just curious to see if anyone for 2019 got theirs yet (if it still exists). Perhaps the app replaces that, apologies.

Pink11 wrote: »

Mate who did it years ago told me he got a 'welcome/info pack' few months after ballot results were confirmed so was just curious to see if anyone for 2019 got theirs yet (if it still exists). Perhaps the app replaces that, apologies.

I got nothing in the post last year

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 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 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 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.

Anybody starting their training this week?

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

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

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.

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.