Whilst it was dry and sunny here on Sunday, the weather in Germany was not so kind. 99% humidity was reported in the startline in the Tiergarten area. With the air being described as “like soup” by one online reporter.
Started in 1974 by small Athletics club SC Charlottenburg, the marathon was run through the forested areas around the city with only 286 entrants. Upon unification in 1990, the event had grown to 25000 runners. All of them flooding through the Brandenburg Gate, some for the first time, many with tears in their eyes. It was in this year that Berlin became known as a fast course as the world lead time (2.08.16) was run on this new course.
Fast forward to 2017 and almost 44000 runners lined up to begin their epic journey around this iconic city. Roadrunner Mike Berry was one of them.
From start to finish, the course takes in iconic sights, such as the Seigessaule (The Victory Column) and of course the Brandenburg Gate at the finish.
The rain began to lash down, hampering conditions on the city streets. Slippery underfoot and the continuing humidity made conditions hard. Our Mike battled his way around the course. He paced himself well, conquering each 5k in good consistent splits.
He triumphantly crossed the line in 5.03.58.
Gut laufen Mike!!
