Berlin Marathon

“This was my second world major marathon and I loved it!”

The runner finished in 3 hours 20 minutes 15 seconds, although they did not achieve their target time. The heat and cramps in the final section made it difficult, but they were impressed by the expo, the daytime atmosphere in the city and the support from their family. They wrote that they could walk from their accommodation to the start area and that public transport was convenient.

“After 18 weeks of hard work, I finished my first marathon with the time of 04:17:00.”

In their first full marathon, hot weather and crowded packs forced this runner to ditch their planned pace and switch to run-walk, but they made it to the finish.

“I'm also happy I did not give up.”

They changed their goal amid the heat and disrupted training of 2025. In the second half, they walked aid station and kept going to the finish. Although the result was not what they had expected, the support from friends and running events throughout the city became lasting good memories.

“Everyone out there was really racing themselves, testing their limits in tough conditions.”

With extreme heat, this runner let go of their 4-hour goal, took walk breaks at the water stations, and finished in 4 hours 36 minutes. The crowds and race organization especially stood out.

“Seeing the Brandenburg Gate at 41K gave me goosebumps.”

At their first Major, this runner got through the heat and a rough patch from 20 to 30 km to set a PR of 2 hours 38 minutes 3 seconds. The buzz at the expo and running through the Brandenburg Gate also stuck with them.

“First half felt smooth and on plan, but Second half got brutal (it was hotter than expected and I definitely felt it).”

The runner completed their first marathon in Berlin in 4 hours 31 minutes 28 seconds. The first half went according to plan, but they struggled in the second half as the heat intensified. Although they fell slightly short of their time goal, they were proud to finish and set completing the World Marathon Majors as their new goal.

“The noise and atmosphere was simply electrifying and unlike anything I have ever experienced.”

After checking out the expo at Tempelhof Airport, this runner lined up at start line with Kipchoge. Spectators and bands filled course, and they ran through the Brandenburg Gate to finish in 2 hours 43 minutes 48 seconds.

“I finished in 4:09:34, which wasn’t my best time, nor my worst.”

Coming off an injury and a rough patch of form, this runner took on Berlin. They walk through the Tempelhof expo and the start area, and despite late-race fatigue and crowding, ran through the Brandenburg Gate to the finish.

“The crowd support was very noteworthy—I tried to think of the best-supported race I had ever done, but couldn’t think of one that matched this.”

This runner finally ran Berlin after 12 years of wanting to. Spectators shouting their name on course and cheering from their husband kept them going, and after battling thirst and late-race fatigue, they finished in 4 hours 19 minutes 27 seconds.

“But sometimes, everything just clicks into place.”

In their first major race, the runner achieved their goal pace of 4 minutes per kilometer. They wavered briefly around 39 km, but regained their strength after adjusting their pace. At the end, they remember shouting at the spectators and hearing their cheers come back.

“Throughout the race I felt good and was even able to enjoy it.”

They conserved their early pace and planned their fueling to maintain strength through the second half. They rated the flat course, smooth operations, and crowd support positively.

“I really loved how there were people to run with the entire time.”

This runner settled into the rhythm of a group running a similar pace. They gave the race organization good marks, but crowded aid station meant skipping water a few times, which they regretted.