Patrick Makau Wins 2010 Berlin Marathon

Makau and Kebede battle the rain to take World Marathon Majors race

(Source: www.scc-events.com)

Patrick Makau (Kenya) and Aberu Kebede (Ethiopia) had to battle the elements before taking victory at the real,- BERLIN-MARATHON. They were rewarded with 25 points each in the World Marathon Majors (WMM) series. Since both of them collected their first WMM points in their careers they have no significant impact on the current 2009-2010 series. This one will most likely be decided at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, which takes place on 10^th October. The ING New York City Marathon on 7^th November will then be the final event of the 2009-2010 series.

So often in the past running conditions had been ideal at the real,- BERLIN-MARATHON. But Sunday appeared to be the opposite with steady and partly heavy rain, a slight wind and a cool starting temperature of 12° Celsius. In what were the worst conditions for more than 20 years during a real,- BERLIN-MARATHON Patrick Makau still achieved a remarkable time of 2:05:08, winning by just two seconds from his fellow-countryman Geoffrey Mutai. Ethiopia’s Bazu Worku was third with 2:05:25. Mutai and Worku also collected their first WMM points (15 and 10 points). It was the first time that three runners clocked sub 2:06 times in the history of the real,- BERLIN-MARATHON.

In the women’s race Aberu Kebede won in 2:23:58. She was exactly a minute ahead of fellow-Ethiopian Bezunesh Bekele (2:24:58) while Japan’s Tomo Morimoto took third (2:26:10). Kebede and Bekele are now in a joint fifth place in the 2009-2010 WMM series with 25 points, but leader Liliya Shobukhova (Russia) has already collected 60. 

Other news:

1. Makau now the Marathon's man to beat (IAAF.org)

2. Patrick Makau wins Berlin marathon but misses world-record time (Guardian UK)

3. Kenya: The Wonderful Season of Makau (StarAfrica.com)

Videos from You Tube:

A Marathon PB @ Berlin Marathon 2010!

We left for Berlin on Friday late morning. Took us a little longer to reach Berlin with all the constructions going on in Autobahn. We finally made it Lothar's (Andreas's uncle) apartment after around 3h30m journey. Berlin's weather was perfect on the day (a little warm) but it was sunny.

We rested for a while and had some cakes and tea before heading out to the BERLIN VITAL Expo. Most of the people in the train were runners heading the same way. When we reached the place, I was amazed at the number of people at the Expo. There were a lot of booths with great offers. There were just too many things I wanted to buy but got to tighten up my budget, otherwise I can't last the whole trip in Europe. : (

BERLIN VITAL Marathon Expo @ Flughafen Berlin Tempelhof

This used to the old main airport in Berlin

Huge crowd at Expo

The miniature of the Brandenburg Gate at the Expo

The finisher (grey-cotton) and the event's t-shirt (red-climacool). Nope, it's not free.

 

My racing attire - now regretting should have worn more

The pace timings I prepared the night before the race. One is for 3:00 pace (a little over ambitious with this) and the other for 3:10 pace. It was kind of a last minute decision to write down the pace, don't want to remember the splits during my run.

The morning - Race day

We woke up around 5.45am to get ready as we need to take a train to race venue near Brandenburg Gate. It was raining since Saturday morning and there were no signs that it'll stop. Looks like it's going to be a wet wet run. And COLD one too!

In train journey to starting line

Breakfast of champions

I didn't take the bananas. That's for Andreas. I just had one slice of bread with butter.

Race venue

Everyone was given a green plastic as rain cover before the race when depositing our bag.

Getting ready before depositing bag at counter

The Start

Nearing to start time (9:00am), we slowly make our way to the start line. As we were divided into different starting blocks according to our estimated finishing time, we need to follow the directions to our blocks. I was placed in Block D (3:00 - 3:15 timing) together with Andreas.

The runners started to fill up the blocks. We couldn't see the elites in front of us, as it was quite a distance away. Couldn't event see the back to check on the number of participants (check out some of the photos from external sources below. We are like ants moving in the streets of Berlin!). The wheelchair competition started about 15mins earlier than us. As we were waiting inside the block, my body started shivering and goose pimples were clearly seen. Yet again, I decided to wear less than I should on this cold and wet day. It was different in Melbourne as it was a sunny day. All I had was the green plastic that the organiser gave us, which I threw away right before the start. Met a runner from Germany who has taken part for the 8th time and he was telling me, "Every year it has been a perfect condition for running. You are just bad timing. Come next year, it will be sunny!" As for Andreas, he is running it for the 11th time (I think) but his last run was in 2005/2006.

The Race

The countdown began for the start and finally we're off. It took a few secs before runners finally moved. Probably took me about a min or so before I reached the starting line. Started tracking down the 3:15 pacemaker with the balloons, but with such a big crowds I just went with the flow and left the pacemakers behind. Body started to feel warmer after few kms. I wasn't sure of my pace till I reach the 5km point. There are markers at each km and every 5km (including the half way mark) there will be splits time taken.

All went well at start until disaster strikes (small problem lah) before 20km mark. My left shoe lace came off. I've already tied it double loops before the start as always and even insert the ends inwards. I guess the rain made it slippery and it came off. That's where my chip is too. I thought it was going to be a quick one to tie it up, but my hands were freezing and I couldn't even hold my lace steady. Took me nearly a minute before I managed to tie it. Then one of the corner end of my bib came off. The rain has made the bib no so wet that the pin tore one of the holes. So I had to pin it up again. Don't want it to drop somewhere on the road later in the race.

Didn't see Andreas after the start. Not too sure if he was behind or in front of me. Then the German guy whom I met at the start came up to me and started chatting with me. Told me if it was a sunny day, the crowds on the roadside would be double the size. Again he asked me to come again next year and everything will be perfect. Haha. Then he told me Andreas is just in front of us. I guess he passed me when I was tying up my shoe laces. I caught up with him soon. I was comptemplating to follow him but I was just so excited that I went with the runners in front. It was just amazing, that you are trying to run faster but there's always runners in front of you and it never ends, unless you are the in the lead of course. Front, back, side...runners everywhere! And crowds cheering, bands playing, drummers groups, cheerleaders and so on.....and you have to realise it's a rainy day!

At certain point early in the race, I do feel some discomfort on my legs but tried not to think about it so much. Lothar was waiting for us at km 26 with our self packed bottles. I had mine attached with 2 gels with just water. Andreas had his special drink. Power Gel were give out at 27.5km. I dropped mine trying to open it but luckily I had the two gels I bought with me. Took one right after getting it from Lothar and the other at about 32km. Had a small slice of banana handed out too.

Checked on my pace every 5km. I was about 3 mins off a 3:00 pace for early part of the race but seems like the margin grew as the race went on and it was closer to a sub 3:10 finish. I thought could still do a sub-3 (wishful thinking), if I pushed my pace faster at the last 10-15kms, but right leg started to feel the twitch and I could sense that cramp will strike at any time. Then at the last, maybe 7-8km, I started to feel cold and could feel my goose bumps again. I thought I was hitting the wall or in some kind of hypothermia. Lucky for the long lines of runners along the road and also the crowds, it helped to make you not give up.

Finishing

I was still trying to push the pace, but each time I do it, the cramps strikes. Had to shuffle in smaller strides so I don't bend my legs so much but still maintaining the pace. At 40km, watch tells me 2:56 (wish that was the finishing line!), there goes the sub-3 hour! No way I can run 2.195km in less than 4 mins (not even the pros!) Anyway, it was already too much to ask for when I was 4 mins off the pace at 30km mark. I just held on my pace to the finish line. 3:07:06 (gun time) 3:05:38 (net time). Actually tried to run down the clock for a sub 3:07 but was a little too late with the push. A really satisfying effort but wish the weather could be better.

Post-finishing
Had a hard time walking to the clothing tent even with the plastics they hand out to warm-up the runners. I was shivering and in pain on legs and arms. My teeth were chattering. Had a hard time even taking out the timing chip from my shoe to return it to the organiser (Yeah, chips are rented. you don't return it, I get charged extra €25). Quickly changed into my dry clothing and felt a little better.

Met up with Andreas at our pre-determined meeting up place and he told me he ran his fastest race for many years. 3:09:16 (gun time) 3:07:44 (net time). Not near his PB of course. He has a 2:58 PB.

Runners walking to their baggage tents. Goodie bags handed out on the way

Crowds along the finishing straight

Brandenburg Gate - you will pass this going into the finishing straight

The Medal

Not sure why they put Samuel Wanjiru's face on the medal as he has never taken part in the event. Could have put some historical figures in it. As you can see, I got my medal engraved with my name and timing. (Of course have to pay lah!)

Breakdowns of my splits

Lost about 6 secs each km at 35-40km mark, cos that's where I felt the cramps and the cold. Lucky for the crowds and runners along the way made me go on.
 

First half: 1:32:51

Second Half: 1:32:47

Average pace: 4:23/km

Average speed: 13.64km/h

Statistics (Based on net time)

Men: 1769/26597

M35: 428/4100

Overall: 1826/34027 (7430 women)

No of sub-3 hours runners:  1307 (Men) 37 (Women)

Some videos of me can be seen on this link. I looked very slow in the video....

More photos on this link:

1. Photobucket (personal)

2. Official website

3. Berliner Murgenpost

4. Runner's World (Germany)

5. Universal Sports

A successful trip to Berlin although I wished the weather could have been kinder to me, but happy with the effort nonetheless. Enjoyed the excitement, the crowds and the runners along the way. Less chance of you giving up with so many people watching you. : )) Got to thank Andreas and also Lothar for this trip!

Lothar was already waiting at home with the beers for us and even bought us Kebabs for lunch. Later that night, Andreas and I met up with his running friends, Theis and Thorsten (both were running the race too) with their wifes for dinner.

My post-marathon dinner!

Next marathon race: Haven't decided yet but I still don't like running marathon....

4 More Days To Berlin Marathon

It's been 1 and a half weeks since arriving in Germany. Andreas was kind enough to show me most parts of North Germany, including the Baltic Sea and North Sea. A friend was here for 3 days and we went out to the beach of North Sea and some smaller towns. Will upload the photos later.

Had a 3 day break from running after our easy long run on Sat. Today did a 1h10m run, with surges of 6 x 1 mins just to get my legs going. Not too sure how I will run the race but just hope I will enjoy it. Most likely leaving for Berlin this Friday morning and will be staying with Andreas's uncle. Me and Andreas will be starting from the same block, 3h 15mins. That will be the 4th block from the elites. Anticipating to take probably a few mins before passing the starting line.

Starting Block

 Some information from Berlin Marathon newsletter:-

Marathon on TV – Live on n-tv and Eurosport

The real,- BERLIN-MARATHON will be presented live on TV once again this year. Both n-tv (8:30 am to noon) and Eurosport (9 am to noon - 3pm Malaysian Time) will be broadcasting the race live on September 26. There will be a new concept for the TV broadcast this year, and we will be presenting the real,- BERLIN-MARATHON from new perspectives to make it more attractive to the general public. A three-hour live broadcast on n-tv and Eurosport will make this possible, for which SCC-RUNNING will be producing the images for the first time.

Marathon live ticker

You will be able to follow the race from the starting shot at 9 a.m. all the way to the finish of the elite women’s runners (approx. 11:20 am) online at www.real-berlin-marathon.com. This is an ideal service for all marathon fans in Germany and around the world who cannot watch it on TV. The live ticker will be updated constantly and is available in English too (on the English part of the marathon website).

Of course there were lots of meat in the menu, but generally, a lot of "makan roti: menu. I miss my rice!  

Currywurst from Kochlöffel



Another of meat spread on toast



Sausage in Hamburg

There's this island we went called Helgoland, is a duty free island. Alcohol are so cheap here that you can become an alcoholic. Imagine a vodka for less than €10 (approx. RM40!!). Bicardi was less than €9.



One of the duty free shop in Helgoland



NEWS - 03.09.2010

World Class Men´s Field at real,- BERLIN-MARATHON September 26th

Patrick Makau
© PHOTORUN

After a streak of four wins including two world records by Haile Gebrselassie (Ethiopia) this year´s real,- BERLIN MARATHON on September 26th is going to be the platform for several young and ambitious world class runners to better their personal records. Seven runners in the field have personal records faster than 2:07 hrs, three of them have yet run under 2:06hrs lead by Patrick Makau and Geoffrey Mutai (both Kenya) who have clocked the two fastest times this year by winning the Rotterdam Marathon (resp. placing 2nd): 2:04:48 (Makau) and 2:04:55 hrs (Mutai). Both runners know about the flat and fast course in the German capital and hope for favourable weather conditions.

Patrick Makau knows the Berlin streets very well after having won the Vattenfall BERLIN HALF MARATHON in 2007 and 2008 clocking a course and personal record of 58:56 min (2007). Meanwhile he has bettered his PB to 58:52 min by winning the RAK half marathon in 2009 making him the 3rd fastest half marathon runner of all time.

Another contender for winning this prestigious marathon is Eliud Kiptanui. The runner from Kenya recently won the Prague Marathon in a time of 2:05:39 hrs. This effort is especially remarkable considering his age (21) and the fact that this was only his 2nd marathon (and the first one outside of Kenya). Bazu Worku (20 years old from Ethiopia) was 2nd at the Paris Marathon in 2009 (2:06:15) and Gilbert Yegon (22, Kenya) won the Amsterdam Marathon 2009 (2:06:18). Yemane Tsege Adhane (25, Ethiopia) was 4th at the Paris Marathon 2009 (2:06:30).

With expected one million spectators along the scenic loop course the race is covered live by n-tv (nationally), Eurosport (Germany and Europe resp. Asia) and Fuji TV (Japan). Starting time in September 26th is 9 a.m.

Source: Official Berlin Marathon Website

Am I Ready For Berlin?

I think I am ready for the travel to Germany or other parts of Europe that is in the itinerary, but running Berlin Marathon....well, maybe not. How's my preparation so far? The longest run I had so far is 28km and only averaging around 55km mileage a week. Highest being around 65-70km. I have only have about 4 weeks to prepare and hopefully I could hit at least a 35km run and a couple of 30kms.

Just received the confirmation letter to my participation in Berlin Marathon via email. So, you may like to know "What's in the goodie bag?" Well, it's not as generous as the races in Singapore or Malaysia. If I'm not mistaken, we get a clothing bag and a sponge. What else? I'll find out soon enough. The rest of it, will need to be purchased. Since I'm heading to a land far away from home, I thought it'll be appropriate for me to purchase the event's t-shirt and also the finisher's t-shirt to keep as momento (yep, both need to be purchased). Kind of regret of not buying the Melbourne Marathon event's T last year.

Berlin Marathon being the top 5 Marathon Majors (London, Chicago, New York and Boston) attracted 40,000 runners this year and it was sold out by April 20. Some of the stats I got from the internet (source: worldmarathonmajors):

Recent particpation:

Year    Finishers      Male     Female

2007     32,638       26,136    6,502

2008     35,913       28,354    7,429

2009     35,035       27,965    7,070       

If some of you are interested in going next year (price may differ next year), these are the fees for this year's race:

Registration fee                        : €80.00 (didn't get to register at an early bird price)

Event T-Shirt (CLIMACOOL)       : €30.00

Finisher T-Shirt (100% cotton)   : € 20.00 (yeah....I know, only cotton Ts)

Medal engraving                        : € 8.00 (at least you know the medal is yours, right?)

Championship Chip (Rental)      : € 6.00

That is a total of €144.00! Well, thanks to Tiger Beer and Nuffnang for sponsoring!

There will be a 3-day Berlin Vital Fair which opens its door on 23 Sept till 25 Sept. Registered runners are also invited to run the Breakfast Run held one day before the real race. Everyone particpating will get a taste of atmosphere come race day. The start will be at Charlottenburg Palace

and ends at the blue track of the Berlin Olympic Stadium.

This is where Usain Bolt smashed the 100m and 200m WR last year.

There will be whole lot of other events happening on the eve of race day, with the Inline-Skating Marathon being the highlight of the day.

On race day itself, the itinerary of events will be as follow:

8.35am Start Wheelchair Competitors

8.45am Start Hand Cyclist

9.03am Start Runners/Power Walkers (not sure why the 9.03am starting time)

The Course Map

 

The start and finish line -

Boulevard “Straße des 17. Juni“

Time limit for marathon will be 6:15. I've registered myself as a 3:15 runner, so hopefully I will end breaking my own PB of 3:18. That will also be a Boston Marathon qualifying time for my age group. No...not really planning to run it, but it's good to know that you can qualify for it, right? Haha. I will be a little disappointed if I can't achieve the time, but at least I get to soak up the atmosphere on race day.

The Finishing

There are more information on Berlin Marathon at their official website or guide book for participants.

As for top names running the race, the bad news is that both Haile Gebrselassie (current WR holder) and Samuel Wanjiru (2008 Olympic Champion, 2009 London & Chicago Marathon winner) will not be competing in the event.Too bad....

MMh...now I'm thinking, should I go print myself a running vest with some for some form of promotion to our country or maybe Sarawak? I wonder if the Tourism Ministry would want to sponsor this...hehe.

Road To Berlin Marathon 2010

Looks like my trip to Berlin is confirmed! I've got the registration done and air ticket booked. Race day will be on 26 September 2010.

I've always complained about how expensive the registration fees are in locally organised race. But for my last marathon and also Berlin, it doesn't come cheap! Melbourne Marathon costs me AUD135. This is without any event's Shirt nor Finisher's Shirt. Same goes with Berlin Marathon, no shirts at all. If you want it, you will need to purchase it yourself during registration. Since I'm heading so far away, I thought it would be nice to have one. So how much did it burn my pocket?

Breakdown:

1. Registration - 80 euro
(this is already after early bird; 60 euro before Feb 1)

2. adidas Event-shirt (Climacool)- 30 euro

3. adidas Finisher T-shirt (100% cotton) - 20 euro
(I wonder, what if I can't finish?)

4. Medal engraving - 8 euro

5. Chip rental - 6 euro

Total cost : 144 EURO!! (And my credit card company charged me the rate of 4.745!!)

That equals to RM683.28. Blame the low value of the Ringgit Malaysia!

Berlin Marathon is considered one of the Marathon Majors, after London, Chicago, New York and of course Boston. If I'm not mistaken, both London and New York are two marathon majors which need ballots. I think Chicago is a direct entry, whilst Boston (the ultimate marathon race for all), different qualifying times are in place for different categories. My time is nowhere near qualifying for Boston just yet.

A background on Berlin Marathon from Adventures Marathons website:

The real,- Berlin Marathon started in 1974, and has appeared annually ever since. The very first person to win the Berlin Marathon, Günter Hallas, still runs the marathon today and was also there when the 2008 and 2009 versions of the race took place. And our guess is that there is a good chance og seeing him running the streets of Berlin on September 26, 2010, too.

The Berlin Marathon is part of the marathon series, World Marathon Majors, together with four other large and tradition bound races: Boston, Chicago, London and New York marathons. In the 2008 version of the real,- Berlin Marathon, 35,000 runners was cheered on by more than 1 million spectators.

In the early years of the Berlin Marathon it was set in Grunewald – a large forest in West Berlin. Seven years later, the race was moved to the city centre of West Berlin, and finally in 1990 – almost one year after the Berlin Wall collapsed – the course was led through both parts of the German capital. Running through the famous Berlin icon, Brandenburg Gate, was a symbolic action that brought out tears in the eyes of many participants in 1990. The course of the real,- Berlin Marathon is well-known for its flatness, which makes the race great for first-timers and for experienced marathoners looking to beat their personal best, as well as for its sightseeing potential. The course takes runners past several of Berlin’s historic landmarks, such as the Reichstag, Potsdamer Platz, Berliner Dom, and of course the Brandenburg Gate just before the finish line. Running the real,- Berlin Marathon can feel like taking part in a modern history lesson, only with a million exhilarated fans in stead of text books, and ancient buildings mixed between modern hi-tech shops in stead of a teacher.

More than one world record has been set on the flat, low-altitude course of the real,- Berlin Marathon. The 2007 and 2008 versions of the Berlin Marathon both featured new world records - even by the same man. In 2007 Ethiopian Haile Gebrselassie took 29 seconds off the former record and finished by 2:04:26. And then in 2008 he improved his own breathtaking accomplishment by another 27 seconds and finished by 2:03:59. In 2009, he won yet again in impressive fashion (for the fourth year in a row), although not in record time. However, he did pass the 30K point in 1:27:49 which is a world record on road.

Registration procedures and various information regarding the full and 1/2 (half) marathon in Berlin, Germany, can be found at the official Berlin Marathon website here.

And this is from the official website:

40.000 runners and around 8.000 inline skaters will fill the streets of the German capital on the last weekend in September. The course is known as the fastest in the world, the crowds are legendary, the atmosphere is hard to top at this most international marathon in Europe. The course of the marathon is one big sightseeing loop through one of the most exciting cities in the world. Unforgettable moments will forever be remembered, especially when running over the final part of the course on the Avenue Unter den Linden through the Brandenburg Gate and past the grandstands on the last 400 meters to the finish line. We are looking forward to having you join us for the 37th real,- BERLIN-MARATHON, and we would like to wish you lots of success and fun in doing so.

Haile Gebrselassie should be heading there this year in his attempt to break his own world record yet again. Hope I can meet him and get his autograph!

Of course, I would like to finish with a smiling face like him but for now, the hard part....TRAINING!!