Run the Berlin Marathon once and you’ll want to do it again.

I am testament to that having run it seven times. No other course has ever seen so many world record times and to participate and be present in Berlin during that hype is special. I am a slow runner and usually finish in the last third of the field, yet I have never felt out of place. With the right training it’s a race anyone can run.

Your weekend will start with a trip to the Expo to collect race documents. On entry you will have a wristband put on, it confirms to officials that you are an official entrant so do not take this off until after the race. This is one race that does not include a t-shirt in the entry cost so be sure to add that to your entry. The Expo is huge with many suppliers promoting and selling their products. You can even organise a massage or see medical team should you want. (Tip) Sample the race drink, if you like buy some and sip on it every day until the race, you don’t want your body drinking something different for the first time on race day. The official merchandise area is always busy but if you do miss out often you can buy at the race start on race morning. But let’s face it no one wants that on their to do list before a race and with more restrictions on baggage etc this might not be an option in future.

Saturday morning there is the Berlin Breakfast Run, it starts in front of Charlottenburg Palace (the largest palace in Berlin) and finishes approximately 6kms later at the Olympic Stadium. Balloons and music at the start create a great vibe and the pace is a gentle jog. Not compulsory but majority of visitors dress up in their nation’s colours, run with flags and it’s a fantastic experience. You finish by running through the tunnel, into and around the stadiums track. (Tip) Do not miss the free yoghurts, water, snack bars, bananas, apples, pastries and of course the famous Pfannkuchen (aka Berliner doughnut) just outside the stadium.

Sunday morning the BMW-Berlin Marathon beckons, much anticipated and a must for any runner to take part in. The weather in September can be variable, there have been some hot ones but usually its mild. The route is a flat loop around the city with more than 40,000 fellow runners, including the elite. (Tip) Go to the start pens early. Whether you start in A or H pen there are bottles of water to drink and toilets along the side. As with any race this size the queues are long and toilets busy but being in sight of the start takes away some anxiety! Take some toilet roll with you as they often run out and better still take a whole roll and leave it for the rest of the queue behind, they will love you for your generosity. If you are H pen you can join in with the warmup entertainment around 1 hour before the start, its great fun and even the most self-conscious tend to wiggle around and join in!

0km to 5km

After the build-up music, some synchronised clapping and lots of smiles the race starts in four staggered stages. Every stage start gets the same treatment. Behind you is the Brandenburg Gate in the Tiergarten (park) and in front you will see the impressive Siegessaule (Victory Column). The road is wide, and you can start running as you cross the line. (Tip) Hold back as adrenaline can push you to run faster than you perhaps should – pace yourself!

5km to 20km

The 5km to 10km section heads towards and includes the Mitte area and into the old East Berlin before continuing to the outer suburbs of the city. First refreshment tables are around the 5km mark offering water. Thereafter refreshment tables typically also offer a sports drink, tea (hot or cold) and alternative stops have hand cut apples and bananas. Expect to see refreshment tables at 9km, 12km, 15km & 17.5km

20km to 40km

Refreshment tables at 20km, 22.5km, 25km, 27.5km, 30km, 32.5km, 34.5km, 36km & 38km

Soak up the entertainment from drum bands, rock bands, brass bands, Oom-pah-pah bands etc… noisy at times but goose bump stuff! Pass the halfway mark. Mentally this is tough area, as are all middle section marathons. Mainly long straight roads and not as much crowd support and bands in some places. There are some large cheering zones to keep you motivated though and you just know that there will be more music coming up. Passing over the highway around 32km will bring you back toward the city. Don’t be surprised to see spectators holding up boards telling you who won the race, especially if the WR was broken.

40km to 42.195km Finish

Refreshment tables at 40km

The section feels like the longest ever, but the supporters here are amazing. They will push you through no matter how sore you are. This part of the course is quite twisty and turny compared to the rest of the route which had been mainly long straight stretches.  You’ll soon turn the last corner and see the Brandenburg Gate. You feel like a celebrity and the columns of Brandenburg Gate look large and magnificent as you run under them. Ahead you see the blue floor of the finish area and you know you are less than 500m from the finish line. Crossing the Berlin Marathon finish line feels so good! You did it. You are a legend!

Please keep in mind that each year the marathon organisers can change certain aspects so please check the event guide as this is my personal experience and I certainly hope that it helps and you have a fantastic experience.