Running helps me help others: Andrew's blog: 2019

Berlin is a fascinating city.
It doesn’t hide from it’s 20^th century history. It puts it right out there; Nazis, Russians, Americans, The Wall, Jews ...just to name a few. It’s all there to see, right in front of you.

One example... In the shadows of Germany’s symbol of unity (the famous Brandenburg Gate) there is also the Memorial to the Victims of National Socialism (the Memorial to the lost Jews and gypsies of Europe). The contrasts are stark and moving.

I start this way because the marathon is all about putting it all out there as well. I dare not compare world wars and tragedies to a ‘fun run’. I do so only to illustrate how the marathon is a personal journey. Every one has a story that becomes history. Good and bad. And nothing can be hidden away.

“If you are losing faith in human nature, go out and watch a marathon” said Kathrine Switzer and I felt a lot of symbioses between this marathon's efforts, Berlin and this cities similar challenges.

Found it! There I am, one of more than 60,000 having a go on the streets of Berlin!

And what wet streets they were. Started dry, finished wet wet wet!
(Took 3 days to dry my shoes out!)

One day when I have given up running marathons I aspire to be the guy who dresses up in a non-alcoholic beer costume to cheer on the crowds!!

Berlin’s Marathon is a big one. One of six events that comprises the World Major Marathon Series, which is why I’m here.

And a big city like this with great running pedigree has a big marathon to suit. This was the 46th running of the event that takes over the city for the day. But only the day. By sunrise the next morning its gone. The streets are clean and opened. Not a scrap of rubbish or temporary fencing to be seen. Its efficiency is impressive.

Its spectacular. I love these big city runs. Is there a better way to play tourist and runner? I don’t think so. The idea is quite preposterous to a city of nearly 4 million people: Close the streets and let us run. But they do! And we are grateful because it is awesome!

And here's the start! I'm in the yellow top!

And here's 200 metres after the start. And, yes, here are blokes already stopping for a pee!
What a souvenir to have in my photos. I'm the only one in this photo looking away!!

The elites lead the way out

You'll be pleased to know I beat both Spiderman and the Brandenburg gate costume!

The 2019 Berlin Marathon had 62,444 starters from 150 countries.

And one runner in particular needs special attention: Kenenisa Bekele.

Bekele missed the world record by less than two seconds. Ouch. How do you recover mentally from that? To run for 2hrs 1min and miss the world record by two seconds is to learn about disappointment and motivation This is what marathon is. Learning about yourself. Addressing fears and being brave. So many doubts come all the time. Weeks before. Every niggle and every cough. Then on the day about the weather and other things you can’t control. I would have liked my time to be a minute faster - of course - but I didn’t miss the world record by just over a second! How do you deal with that disappointment? One second after 2 hours. It’s like a step.

And its all out there. Like I started with. The history, The run, The splits, The pain, The smiles, The results.

And I like it that way. Be transparent. Be open and honest about what you're trying to do, why and how you went. You can't re-write history.

And if your travels take you to places where you question history's lessons of human nature, then go and watch the marathon that day.

Enjoy it while its dry and wave to the fans!

The smile can lie! Be careful on these wet roads. The deep contours fill up with water and are easy to trip on.

You cant avoid the puddles .... just plough through

Can you imagine what this meant in 1990 when the wall went down ....

The iconic image of Berlin. I cant think of too many better finish lines that the Brandenburg Gate.

Nice to see an Aussie in the Legends Area. Steve Moneghetti.
In 1990 he won it in 2hrs 8:16 PB. This was a special occasion as the Berlin Wall had come down just months earlier and the race was 'The Reunification Marathon', joining the former east and west.

ANDREW'S RATINGS!

Organisation

This is Germany after all! Anytime you can move 60,000 people has to be impressive. (Less impressive are the people that complain – usually loudly – when it doesn’t suit their individual needs L)

And a mix of old and new technologies:
New = printed bibs at every check-in point at the Expo. Old = shoe tags (& a fine if you don’t return them)

Course

No excuses! This isn’t the world record course for nothing. Flat. Main streets. But always crowded with that many people involved.

Lots and lots of drink stations, with some interesting offers - beetroot juice, sweet warm tea as well as the usual water (in recycling cups), bananas and apples.

Atmosphere

Big big big!

Mexican and Brazilian fans were the loudest.

Lots of bands (particularly in the first half) and such a mix, including a Scottish Pipe Band (good for the guy near me running in kilt), as well as jazz, rock and everything else!

Crowds

Spectator viewing is great. Lots of cheering most of the way.

Expo

I liked the technology – instant bib printing- and I liked the location. I just don’t like crowds on the day before race!

Public transport everywhere is excellent. An amazing 5 minute wait between trains. The Expo is a easy commute and walk.

Medal

Nice. Honored a volunteer this year. Worthy. And nice to acknowledge all the volunteers who enable us runners to do what we do. Respect.

These great people stand for 7-8 hours (in rain) so we can do what we like. And then we splash water all over them!