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☰
Berlin Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Berlin Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.7 
Organization 4.2 
Spectators 4.6
Number of comments: 120 [displaying comments 31 to 41]
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C. H. from US
(10/2/2013)
"Over Rated" (about: 2013)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Berlin Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 All of the negatives that I read were correct. The Expo was a nightmare, standing on concrete for 2 hours for number pick up. There was no line control and people were cutting to the front often. The start was disappointing. I was truthful about my time and found myself in a block with some first time marathoners. All first time runners were supposed to be in the last block. Race officials did not verify times so whatever time you submit is what block you are put in. It was cold at the start and I was surprised how many runners dropped their plastic cover ups on the ground as they left the starting block. (most likely the first time runners) I saw 2 people fall within the first 100 meters of the race. Crowds were great and water stations are plenty. However as the comments suggest very dangerous. The plastic cups are very slippery and you have no choice but to walk through all the stations. Again surprised that the runners would throw their cups in the middle of the road instead of to the side. I am glad I ran this race but would not say you can get a personal best unless you put yourself in the first few blocks. I was in the 3:45 block and spent the entire race passing other runners and walkers. Beautiful city would recommend but I wouldnt do it twice. | |
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H. G. from Portland, USA
(10/28/2012)
"Streams of urine in the start area" (about: 2012)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Berlin Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Due to lack of porter-potties. Don't get me wrong, it was a great race, nice course and I did a new PR even though it was crowded throughout the whole race (finished 3:54:47) Good spectators, especially at the Wild Boar Square, enough water stations, but I really think the plastic cups are a hazard, I had to run very careful not to slip and fall at those stations and I found it disgusting that there were not enough porter potties, especially at the start area but also throughout the race. I waited 50 minutes to get 'my' porter-potty at the start area and I swear this one never saw any toilet paper (no paper rests on the ground or empty rolls). No disinfection either. There were with few exceptions just women in line, !00s of men were urinating in the park. They even had little prohibition signs all over the park to not to urinate in the park, but everyone did. They really should triple the amount of porter potties in the start area but also throughout the case. I did send a complaint letter to the organizer and to the state health government and especially the government are examining the 'porter-potty situation'. | |
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M. G. from Cleveland, Ohio
(10/4/2012)
"Incredible experience" (about: 2012)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Berlin Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran Berlin because of its place as a World Marathon Major, and it did not disappoint. The event is world class - second only to Boston in my experience. The atmosphere is electric and the city is a blast. My only real complaint would be the course is so crowded. 35,000+ runners, and I felt like every one of them was running next to me! Also, what's with the hot tea at the water stops? | |
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Tony Burgin from Hull,England
(9/25/2012)
"The best in the World!" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Berlin Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Having not ran Berlin since 1996,I was now running on a new route to 1996 and this is my 5th time in the Berlin marathon (also ran the Berlin 25km event before). I really enjoyed it and the organisation was the best. I have ran over 20 marathons around the world and coming back to Berlin was just awesome! No record for me this time but I would like to come back again and run another Berlin marathon someday. | |
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I. H. from London, England
(10/17/2011)
"Waaaay too crowded" (about: 2011)
1 previous marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was my second marathon, the first having been NY last year. Even though NY had more runners, Berlin felt much more crowded, perhaps due to the narrower streets. Organisers need to cut back on number of runners by at least 20%. Having to constantly watch out for runners around me, I actually didn't get to see much of the course at all! A shame really since it was my first time in he city and a bit of sightseeing around the course would have been nice! | |
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M. S. from Chicago, USA
(10/14/2011)
"Nice course!" (about: 2011)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Berlin Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 It's no wonder that world records have been achieved on Berlin's course. It's wide, flat and smooth. The course is scenic, particularly the first and last miles. But there is room for improvement: 1) The lack of porta-potties along the course was shameful. They need to triple the amount. Bring handi-wipes with you! 2) The plastic cups at the water stops were a real hazard. I am not sure how they could call this a 'green' race. 3) Discontinue giving female runners a separate bib pickup & gear check area. For groups/couples, it just doubled the time for picking up the bib & checking gear. The Berliners were more spectators than fans, so don't expect alot of cheering except at the end. There were alot of empty stretches and the cheering was so-so. Still, the people of Berlin were very welcoming to the runners on the race weekend. And do not miss the breakfast run from Charlottenburg Palace to the Olympic Stadium. The opportunity to run on the Olympic track was truly special. That was absolutely the funnest running event I've been to. | |
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P. G. from Charlotte, NC USA
(10/10/2011)
"Best Marathon ever" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Berlin Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I've run 20 marathons, including Boston, Chicago, and New York. In my opinion, Berlin is the best. Superb organization: easy to get to the start by public transportation; easy bag drop-off zone; easy access to corrals. No long waiting times before the race. Great flat course through historic Berlin with runners from all over the world. Great crowd support throughout the whole race. Well positioned water stations with fruit, water and drinks. Awesome finish area with a lot of volunteers. In summary a 5 star race. I recommend it to everyone that is looking for a PR, and to enjoy a great running experience. | |
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S. W. from Gilbert, Arizona
(10/5/2011)
"Danke Berlin" (about: 2011)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Berlin Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The 2011 BMW Berlin Marathon was my first trip outside the USA to do a marathon. For the record this was also my first trip to Europe. Let me just say this to those of you thinking about maybe doing this marathon, DO IT& First of all the Germans are great hosts and Berlin is a great city. I do not speak any German but it didn't matter, it was so easy to travel the city on the S and U Bahn and I was made to feel welcome everywhere I went. The expo was very easy to reach no matter where you stayed again thanks to the great S and U Bahn service. I went to the expo on Friday and enjoyed it very much. The race itself was again so easy to get to no matter what part of Berlin you opted to stay in. I rode the S Bahn to the Berlin Hauptbahnhof which is the main train station and from there it was a very short walk. As for myself I walked into the staging area with ease, dropped off my kit bag and headed to the starting area in a matter of a few minutes. It could not have been any easier. Like many I had read stories about terrible lines trying to get in and lots of drama but not for this Arizona boy, easy as pie. The start was great and the course was awesome. As good as the course was I was not prepared for the turn onto Unter den Linden with the Brandenburg Gate ahead and thousands of cheering Berliners. Running under the Brandenburg Gate and seeing the finish just ahead was a marathon moment which will be hard to top. When I signed up to do Berlin I had it down as a one and done. Be careful, Berlin and the BMW Berlin Marathon will make you want to do it all over again next year and I will be doing just that. Thank you to all the volunteers, police and medical personnel who were at the ready the entire race. Trust me, do this marathon. | |
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P. M. from Toronto, Canada
(10/3/2011)
"World class big-city marathon" (about: 2011)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Berlin Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my third of the Marathon Majors after Chicago and Boston, and the overall experience was tremendous. From the expo to the finish area, everything was extremely well-organized. Course layout, water stations, on-course timing could not have been better. Getting to the start was a cinch with supremely efficient public transportation. Weather was sunny and cool, and organizers have been distributing rain/wind ponchos to all runners. Though a bit of a walk from the start/finish village, getting into starting corals was also easy if you arrive early enough. My only concern was that the porta-potties seemed to have run out of toilet paper very early on, and I have not noticed it being replaced. It was very crowded for about 3-4 miles after the start (I started in 3:15 - 3:30 Corral E), which made me miss the first water station at 5K, but it was not a major problem. All other water stations were available and well-stocked with water, sweet tea, PowerBar isotonic drink and fruit, plus special water bins for cooling-off sponges. Water station banners could have been a little more prominent. There was enthusiastic crowd support throughout all of the race, and running through the Branderburg Gate on the way to the finish was an experience like no other. Abundant non-alcoholic Erdinger beer after the finish was a nice touch! Highly recommended for runners of all levels and abilities. | |
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P. B. from New York
(9/28/2011)
"Big Time Marathon - Small Time Organisation" (about: 2011)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Berlin Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 5 Berlin is a beautiful place and the marathon takes an interesting course with enthusiastic crowds and very few dead zones. The course is flat and fast and well organised, provided your an elite. For the rest of us, its a crowded, poorly planned nightmare. It seems like a lot of bad planning goes into the Berlin Marathon. For a start, there is virtually no information about the starting corrals prior to the race. I like to plan every detail but this proved impossible. Once at the start there were way too few porta-potties, which resulted in the wooded areas being crowded with men and women relieving themselves alongside each other. Out on the course, the streets were narrow, about half the width of New York, and it was impossible at a steady pace until the crowds thinned out at around 8K. In the meantime you'll waste a lot of physical and mental energy as many runners had no intention of trying to make their target race times. The first water stop was at around 5K. After that they came frequently until we reached 30K after which they seemed to disappear. The water/refreshment tables were very short, meaning it was impossible to take on water without stopping. Its just as well, as the plastic cups were very slippery. I probably accumulated 5 minutes on stopping for water. Its definitely not a BQ course. All except one of my friends missed their target times significantly (and she had a very conservative goal). Besides the obvious glamour of having the elite times and the elite field, I don't think this race belongs in the Marathon Majors. |
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