Berlin Marathon Top Tips!!

Berlin, I’ve been told what an awesome city it is & how good the marathon it is. However how do us newbies to Berlin know where to go and what to do? I certainly have no idea!

Well I took to twitter to ask for some advice for the trip out to Berlin & what the top tips were for race day.

I’ve also put a couple of my favourite blogs and YouTube videos at the bottom – well worth a read!

Generic Marathon tips

Nothing new on race-day – you should have already chosen your shoes (I’m down to 3 options currently), tried out your socks and vest/camelbak if you’re using one

Know your fuelling strategy and test it out before

Get to the start early – queue for the loo, then queue again

Start slow, slower than you need to or can, A strong finish is better than a strong start

You will hit the wall – be prepared for it, know how to handle it & have some mantras to keep you going

Cut your toenails at least 3 days before the race – give them time to heal just in case of any mishaps.

Pre-race

“Join the Breakfast Run, you can start from the Olympic Stadium if you don’t want to run the whole route (6km)” – @Stace_75

“Don’t climb up the Victory Column 2 days before the marathon – it’s a leg killer” – @Stace_75

“Expo is great – Loads of free non-alcoholic beer” – @Marathon_Tardis

“Expo is really small and busy, Get a t-shirt early, its like Primark in the sales” – @IanMartin7

“Remember good shoes to walk in because its such an amazing City and a lot of things are within walking distance” – @antontheweenie

“Ask anything at the Expo, they were unbelievably efficient in helping” @TimJones15

Race Day

Vests/Camelbaks are allowed at Berlin as long as the water is under 2ltrs

Headphones can be worn – but you are advised not to/avoid if possible

“if you’re in the back of the starting pens you won’t be going anywhere for a good 40mins” – @stantonkr

“Get there early for the loo, It’s a massive start pen!” – @coll_paul

“Take bog roll for the portaloos and if you miss  out there are loads in the bushes?!?” – @IanMartin7

“My favourite Marathon. Lovely route through the city. Plenty of support. Enjoy the finish up Unter Den Linden and through the Brandenburg Gate. Post-race is amazing, plenty of places to refuel and re-hydrate” – @GraceHough

“The Brandenburg Gate is NOT the finish line” – Susie Chan, plus everyone else I’ve met

“Drinks during race are in cups” – @TimJones15

“Great Support all through, superb at the end running through Brandenburg Gate. Wave at all the cameras to enhance souvenir pic” – @TimJones15

After the race

“Stay behind for the celebrations” – @Ema_JoyC

Celebrating

“The best burger I’ve ever eaten was in a former public toilet” (Burgermeister, Oberbaumstrasse 8) – @myblondereality

“Die Berliner Republik for celebrating, Beer & currywurst” – @coll_paul

“Pauliner Beer Hall – there aren’t that many 3000 capacity beer halls in the city” – @chriswholt

“Had the best wienerschnitzel at the top of KADEWE” – @antontheweenie

“EAT ALL THE PRETZELS” – @stantonkr

“I went to Pizza Hut” – @SMillbery

My favourite

“Just be you, remember all the training you’ve done and always remember you’re more than capable” – @Natwes

Favourite Blogs

RunnersKnees

Race Review: The 42nd BMW Berlin Marathon

Jen_Mo

https://iranhereblog.wordpress.com/2015/10/09/first-blog-post/

The Runner Beans (Charlie)

http://www.therunnerbeans.com/2014/09/berlin-marathon-race-recap.html

Really nice YouTube video of the race!

Finally, one thing from me – good luck everyone , enjoy the city, enjoy the race and see you out there!

Happy Running!