Hi Ben, got your Marathon plan for my wife and she followed it ...she ran a successful Sydney marathon & we were delighted with her performance....started like a lamb & finished like a lion....or Lioness.... lifetime PB & feels good enough to run at Perth marathon in 3 weeks.... Thanks to your videos, your plan, she got it done...👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️ Cheers ..Steve Don
Start on the right hand of the road. If you start on the left, you can be stuck going round the first sharp right bend very wide and you’ll end up running a lot further based on your watch. Really focus on running the tangents as a lot of corners are 90 degrees and can distance can add up. Make sure you’ve practiced drinking from rigid plastic cups. Like Ben said some of them do not bend and just crack if you squeeze them
Pro tip about the toilets at the start: don't take the first queue in front of the Reichstagsgebäude. Last time we spent 1 hour just waiting there. But rather go all the way to the start area. There are much more toilets there and almost no queue :)
Hi Ben, I ran Berlin a couple of times. First time in 2021. I was able to put a predicted time in and started in Block E. Hence, as a first-time runner, you don't need to start in the back.
Get to the athlete entrance early, the area is huge and the ways are long to the starting area. Forget a warmup jog, it's too crowded :). See you there. ... and the O in Tempelhof is a long one ;). First timers don't have to start at the end. You can put a half marathon time on the website as well. I started in Block A actually last year with my half marathon PB :). You can still change that in your profile until 22nd of September. Everyone peeing everywhere is also common in Berlin outside the marathon ;), one reason not to live there acutally. Yep plastic cups are annoying.
Ben Parkes, all the best for the Marathon. I so much appreciate all you do. Thank you for all the content you produce and share it with all of us. Only the best for you, you really deserve it 😊👍👌🙏
Thank you, thank you thank you!!! ❤❤ It is going to be my first Berlin Marathon and first marathon ever. And I've been living here since last year. So extra special 🎉 Nice to be running the same race as you, you are my favorite channel. Of course, I will arrive at the finish two hours after you 😂
Great stuff and best of luck for your race! I live in Berlin and will be supporting on the streets, but will also be running my first marathon in Lisbon the week after. If I survive, hopefully will do Berlin next year! :D PS. I can think of why Berlin Marathon doesn't flood you with emails and content prior to the race like others, because its not the German way. Only speak what is necessary, nothing less, nothing more. As a South African living and working here, you learn this fast :P
For official merch, it sells out quickly at the expo, but there's plenty of it on race day at the finish line. So I'd recommend buying it before the race.
Berlin and other majors aren't great because they are majors. They are majors because they are great. The WMM started in 2006, a relatively new concept, which exists IMO to rinse more money out of punters. Valencia is the best marathon I've done and it isn't a major!!
What's that about having to start from the back as a first time marathoner? Berlin will be my first marathon and I could put in a time prediction. For times faster than 3h15m you need to provide a result from a previous race, but half-marathon times are accepted for that as well.
Berlin was my first ever marathon last year and you don't need to start at the end. Just like you said, you can pick a time and get your starting block.
And I had with me in tree small botlles water and that saved me to get trough the marathon. I think the medal was awesome. Thank for a great race Berlin.
I might have missed info about showers after finish line. I have never used those before, but planning this year. Does anybody knows if there is hot / warm water available or just freezing cold? This is reason I have opted for cloth bag to have towel with me. Two tiny objects I would add to Race Checklist - small towel to wipe your face if you sweat a lot like I do. I have that salt in the eyes. And paper tissues in the zipper bag in case you know... Situation might force you to go sideways and not at the Aid station.
How is the Maurten mixed? I bought some Maurten 160 to practice with, and it's not very solvent in the water. I'd much prefer to chug some Gatorade with artificial coloring.
hi, Ben. I usually watch your regular TH-cam channel, but I just stumbled upon this one today by chance. What is the difference between this one and your main TH-cam channel?
I am going to be in Berlin for the marathon as a suporter for friends. Do you know if I can visit the Expo without being runner in the marathon? Would love to buy some stuff from there
Yes, it is open to everyone. But on Saturday if it is really crowdy it could be that runners who have to collect their stuff are prioritized. But normally everyone can go in there and is encouraged to also spend money. Expo is pretty nice 😁
how are you guys drinking in races. i always struggle at a faster pace, not to spill it in my face instead of my mouth. just walk? but even then, i take way too long to drink. in berlin they have hard plastic cups, you cannot pinch them, even though this never worked for me anyways. i'm thinking about carrying an empty flask, decant quickly into it from the cup, and then slowly drink while running. any other suggestions?
There was none. It is usually after you leave "safe" zone. Last year it was on Scheidemannstraße just before Reichstag. Be prepared for a bit of waiting, but that goes fast. They collect your medal first and then call you few steps down the road to collect. It works something like in Starbucks - try to understand how Germans pronounce your name.
@pdurys getting my Tracksmith poster trumps this but I know that's that's walk too in order to hit the pop up. Would you anticipate it would be longer than an hour?
@TheUsualSuspekt No, definitely not an hour. 20 - 30 minutes max. For Inlineskate it is usually 3 - 5 minutes, but there are only 6000 participants in total.
The toilet situation was awful before the race in 2019, hopefully, they've sorted it. Also, be careful to have the right train tickets. We got marched off the train, our passports were taken away, and a €60 fine. Not good.
@MrJamessell30 It was the day after the race, we were heading back the airport, we had a ticket but it was the wrong one! Honestly, the way they treated us was disgusting. Won't be going back to Berlin anytime soon!
I did the marathon in Berlin in 2017 but I did have a great race but there were neither people nor water at the water stations on any post of the race.......what is that for a race ?>? I think that was awfull so I may ask some of the audience about water .... and the gentle german people were so kind they got a bottle of water for me....that was kind. Inga. DK,
Hi Ben, got your Marathon plan for my wife and she followed it ...she ran a successful Sydney marathon & we were delighted with her performance....started like a lamb & finished like a lion....or Lioness.... lifetime PB & feels good enough to run at Perth marathon in 3 weeks.... Thanks to your videos, your plan, she got it done...👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️ Cheers ..Steve Don
Use Runna, much better 👍
Start on the right hand of the road. If you start on the left, you can be stuck going round the first sharp right bend very wide and you’ll end up running a lot further based on your watch.
Really focus on running the tangents as a lot of corners are 90 degrees and can distance can add up.
Make sure you’ve practiced drinking from rigid plastic cups. Like Ben said some of them do not bend and just crack if you squeeze them
I can confirm, last year at my first time my watch clocked in at 43,8km so quite a bit of extra work.
Pro tip about the toilets at the start: don't take the first queue in front of the Reichstagsgebäude. Last time we spent 1 hour just waiting there. But rather go all the way to the start area. There are much more toilets there and almost no queue :)
THanks! toilets is always my first priority aha
Hi Ben, I ran Berlin a couple of times. First time in 2021. I was able to put a predicted time in and started in Block E. Hence, as a first-time runner, you don't need to start in the back.
I got into the 2025 marathon, and I’m already excited 10 months early! I can’t wait. I’ll use your video as a guide
Thanks Ben! I enjoy all your videos. I’m flying to Berlin tomorrow from the USA. Hope to see you there!!😃
Thank you! :)
Great that you are at the start of the Berlin Marathon again this year. 👍🏻🇩🇪
I feel like the very knowing "look where you're walking" at the start line seems like solid advise in terms of people randomly going to the bathroom.
Get to the athlete entrance early, the area is huge and the ways are long to the starting area. Forget a warmup jog, it's too crowded :). See you there. ... and the O in Tempelhof is a long one ;). First timers don't have to start at the end. You can put a half marathon time on the website as well. I started in Block A actually last year with my half marathon PB :). You can still change that in your profile until 22nd of September. Everyone peeing everywhere is also common in Berlin outside the marathon ;), one reason not to live there acutally. Yep plastic cups are annoying.
Ben Parkes, all the best for the Marathon. I so much appreciate all you do. Thank you for all the content you produce and share it with all of us. Only the best for you, you really deserve it 😊👍👌🙏
Thank you, thank you thank you!!! ❤❤ It is going to be my first Berlin Marathon and first marathon ever. And I've been living here since last year. So extra special 🎉
Nice to be running the same race as you, you are my favorite channel. Of course, I will arrive at the finish two hours after you 😂
Great stuff and best of luck for your race! I live in Berlin and will be supporting on the streets, but will also be running my first marathon in Lisbon the week after. If I survive, hopefully will do Berlin next year! :D
PS. I can think of why Berlin Marathon doesn't flood you with emails and content prior to the race like others, because its not the German way. Only speak what is necessary, nothing less, nothing more. As a South African living and working here, you learn this fast :P
Hello Ben I am also doing Berlin, it's my first marathon aswell. I plan to join your shakeout run. Good luck and hope to see you there.
Good luck Ben!
Ben, thanks for this vlog! I’m running Berlin and was hoping you would do a vlog like this one. Appreciate you!!
See you there Ben!
For official merch, it sells out quickly at the expo, but there's plenty of it on race day at the finish line. So I'd recommend buying it before the race.
Did it last year, went to the Expo Saturday morning and there was still loads of official merchandise left.
Cheers Ben!!!! MY first Berlin, thanks for your tips
Berlin and other majors aren't great because they are majors. They are majors because they are great. The WMM started in 2006, a relatively new concept, which exists IMO to rinse more money out of punters. Valencia is the best marathon I've done and it isn't a major!!
Is Berlin the only major where bag drop is not included?
thanks for the tips! hope to bump into you in Berlin
Hi Ben, thanks, very useful video. All the best for you and your family. Best regards
What's that about having to start from the back as a first time marathoner? Berlin will be my first marathon and I could put in a time prediction. For times faster than 3h15m you need to provide a result from a previous race, but half-marathon times are accepted for that as well.
Berlin was my first ever marathon last year and you don't need to start at the end. Just like you said, you can pick a time and get your starting block.
Thanks Ben ❤ I hope yo meet you over there 😊
And I had with me in tree small botlles water and that saved me to get trough the marathon. I think the medal was awesome. Thank for a great race Berlin.
that guy pucking his guts out 200m before the finish lin at 10:16
😅
can i bring stick for action cam into start area?
Your background music is hilarious 😂
I might have missed info about showers after finish line.
I have never used those before, but planning this year. Does anybody knows if there is hot / warm water available or just freezing cold?
This is reason I have opted for cloth bag to have towel with me.
Two tiny objects I would add to Race Checklist - small towel to wipe your face if you sweat a lot like I do. I have that salt in the eyes. And paper tissues in the zipper bag in case you know... Situation might force you to go sideways and not at the Aid station.
How is the Maurten mixed? I bought some Maurten 160 to practice with, and it's not very solvent in the water. I'd much prefer to chug some Gatorade with artificial coloring.
When you say all first time marathoners have to start at the back: Do you mean first marathon ever, or first time running in Berlin?
hi, Ben. I usually watch your regular TH-cam channel, but I just stumbled upon this one today by chance. What is the difference between this one and your main TH-cam channel?
Uhh! I forgot this channel existed.
I am going to be in Berlin for the marathon as a suporter for friends. Do you know if I can visit the Expo without being runner in the marathon? Would love to buy some stuff from there
Yes, it is open to everyone. But on Saturday if it is really crowdy it could be that runners who have to collect their stuff are prioritized. But normally everyone can go in there and is encouraged to also spend money. Expo is pretty nice 😁
Thank you much.
Any idea at what KM points the toilets are?
After every water station!
@@Resskamper thank you
Any recommendations for a place to stay?
how are you guys drinking in races. i always struggle at a faster pace, not to spill it in my face instead of my mouth. just walk? but even then, i take way too long to drink. in berlin they have hard plastic cups, you cannot pinch them, even though this never worked for me anyways. i'm thinking about carrying an empty flask, decant quickly into it from the cup, and then slowly drink while running. any other suggestions?
I could have sworn I read all these points on a let's run thread yesterday
What will the weather be like? ❤
Very Wet and WINDY!!!!
Hi Ben, I am also doing Berlin. Have you decided on a time & place for the shakeout run?
It's posted on his blog, I am planning to be there aswell.
Why did I pay for bag dropoff. I live 15 minutes from the start
I am very nervous!
I opted for engraving. Where is that in relation?
There was none. It is usually after you leave "safe" zone. Last year it was on Scheidemannstraße just before Reichstag. Be prepared for a bit of waiting, but that goes fast. They collect your medal first and then call you few steps down the road to collect. It works something like in Starbucks - try to understand how Germans pronounce your name.
@pdurys getting my Tracksmith poster trumps this but I know that's that's walk too in order to hit the pop up. Would you anticipate it would be longer than an hour?
@TheUsualSuspekt No, definitely not an hour. 20 - 30 minutes max. For Inlineskate it is usually 3 - 5 minutes, but there are only 6000 participants in total.
@@pdurys Thank you
Do they actually check your id? Or just the race card?
Yes. They check ID with photo. It is not like on the airport just glance the name and face of the person standing in front of them.
Bro wears the Queens Mittens on his race day and I can’t say anything cuz he faster than me 😂😂😂
The toilet situation was awful before the race in 2019, hopefully, they've sorted it. Also, be careful to have the right train tickets. We got marched off the train, our passports were taken away, and a €60 fine. Not good.
Seems really excessive for the wrong ticket. rolling back the years to 1939
@MrJamessell30 It was the day after the race, we were heading back the airport, we had a ticket but it was the wrong one! Honestly, the way they treated us was disgusting. Won't be going back to Berlin anytime soon!
I did the marathon in Berlin in 2017 but I did have a great race but there were neither people nor water at the water stations on any post of the race.......what is that for a race ?>? I think that was awfull so I may ask some of the audience about water .... and the gentle german people were so kind they got a bottle of water for me....that was kind. Inga. DK,